Children's Book Reviews
Page Two of ThreeThe Halloween Play by Felicia Bond
Laura Geringer Books, August 1999.Picture Book, 32 pages
Reading Level: Ages 3-6
ISBN: 0060286849.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Originally published in 1983 under the title,
The Halloween Performance, this charming tale
from Felicia Bond (
If You Give a Pig a Pancake, et al.)
has been re-released with new artwork. The Halloween
Play tells the story of a tiny mouse named Roger who
is sitting backstage waiting for his one line in the
school play. He's practiced for days to get his line
right. "On the night of the performance the auditorium
was packed. Roger stood backstage. He had a small but
important role." The accompanying illustration
shows Roger waiting off-stage as other mice dressed
in Halloween costumes get ready to go on stage.
Finally, it's Roger's turn...he's the Jack O' Lantern!
The mice dance around the Halloween pumpkin,
the "audience applauded wildly." The play is a
resounding success. Roger's father took a picture of
him in his costume. But as he goes to sleep that night,
Roger thinks that he doesn't need a picture to remember
his triumph.
The talented Felicia Bond has written a classic story which has been reissued in time for this Halloween. The illustrations are bright and funny, showing the nervous mouse Roger waiting backstage, counting down the lines until his big entrance as the pumpkin (a small but very important part.) Her portraits are alive with movement and the perspective is always complementary to the story they illustrate. Another sure winner from the talented Felicia Bond.
Nightmare Hour by R.L. Stine
HarperCollins, August 1999.Hardcover, 148 pages
ISBN: 0060286881.
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Bestselling frightmaster R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) is back with
a collection of 10 short stories which are sure to scare
the pants off you just in time for Halloween. In "Pumpkinhead"
some children find out that when the pumpkin farmer
tells you to stay out of his special, private pumpkin patch
you ought to pay attention. In "Alien Candy," an unhappy
schoolboy learns that there may be more to his new
clique than he bargained for, and the story
"Afraid of Clowns" only confirms what some of us have
thought all along anyway. "I'm Not Martin"
is enough to make anyone think twice about checking
into a hospital for surgery around Halloween. Stine plays
brilliantly on every child's real fear -- that if something
strange were to really happen (oh, like a werewolf attacking you
when your mom is away) the adults will never believe you.
Each short story is illustrated with creepy pictures by a different,
talented
artist such as Bleu Terrell or Cliff Nielsen. Another
interesting feature is the introduction to each story is penned
by the author in which he describes his inspiration for the story.
Although some of the stories are a scarier than others, they are
all pretty disturbing. Teenagers who love horror should simply
adore this latest Stine entry -- and don't be surprised if
you find Dad sneaking a peek, as well.
Return to the October 1999 issue of The IWJ.
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