Teagan’s Likeable Literature: Halloween Book Round-up

Candlewick Press publishes outstanding children’s books for readers of all ages. Since their opening in 1991, they have received more than 1500 accolades and honors and have been named “the fastest growing children’s publisher in the U.S.” by Publishers Weekly. They also publish these books, perfect for Halloween.

Alpha Oops: H is for Halloween
By: Alethea Kontis and Bob Kolar
Ages: 4-8
SRP: $15.99

All the letters of the alphabet are jumbled up in this story when A isn’t ready to perform in time.  H takes center stage and all the other letters follow in a mixed-up presentation with a Halloween theme.  “B is for Boo”.  “P is for Pirate”.  Kieran’s favorite is “L is for Lycanthrope”.  Just as in the book, she always asks “What’s a Lycanthrope?” Don’t know? You’ll have to read it to find out!

The Shadow
By: Donna Diamond
Ages: 5-8
SRP:  $15.99

“Hashor loved to play in her room.  She loved to walk in the garden and up the stairs to find a ladybug”. This was the beginning of Kieran’s story every time she picks up The Shadow. The rest of the story varies from there. This is Kieran’s first picture book and I love to hear how her stories unfold as she turns each page. I also love to hear her talk about her made up story later in the day – “Hashor is a girl’s name,” she tells me. After receiving this book and seeing Kieran’s response to it, I will be looking for additional picture books to foster this creative storytelling side of her that is new to me. I initially thought the book might be too scary for her, as the shadow is illustrated in a way meant to convey fear.  However, she never expressed this emotion and only asked about the shadow’s “funny eyes” once.

Big Scary Monster
By: Thomas Docherty
Ages: 3-5
SRP: $15.99

In this story, the big scary monster loves to scare all the little animals in the mountain. One day, he heads down to the valley when he sees more animals he can scare. The problem is, when he reaches the bottom, the animals aren’t so little anymore—they are actually bigger than him and he is scared. The big scary monster runs back up the mountain and decides it’s best to be friends with all the small animals, and being alone isn’t any fun.  Kieran loves asking me questions about the property of perspective that is introduced in this story. She asks why the small plants become big plants as he approaches them—it reminds me of our time in NYC when we would look from our 19^th floor apartment at the people walking below and she would ask me whey they were so small!

– That’s IT Mommy friends, Heather & Kieran

Storybook Animations: Tucker’s Spooky Halloween
By: Leslie McGuirk
Ages: 2-5
SRP: $14.99

Tucker’s Spooky Halloween is a cute, comical, canine Halloween adventure! Tucker’s goal is to be scary this Halloween. After a few disappointments, Tucker is delighted when he achieves his mission. This Storybook animation package includes the hardcover book, DVD/CD for kids to watch and read along with, a poster and sheet of reusable stickers. All together at the affordable price of $14.99. Teagan loved seeing Tucker come to life as she read along with the DVD. The illustrations are simple and the story line is easy to follow for your beginning reader. This would also be perfect for teachers to share in their classroom!

The Patterson Puppies and the Midnight Monster Party
By: Leslie Patricelli
Ages: 2-5
SRP: $14.99

The Patterson puppies are a group of four siblings with big imaginations. One of the siblings, Petra, awakens nightly to scary noises. She’s convinced that there is a monster lurking in the darkness! Her brothers and sisters try to help Petra get over her fears but that’s when they all find out that there really is a monster! But not all monsters are scary. What ensues is a night of cookies, stuffed animals and fun! Teagan giggles over the monster that has lots of eyes and many arms. I’m not sure if the author’s goal is to help kids get over their fears but books like The Patterson Puppies and the Midnight Monster Party definitely eases Teagan’s fear of “monsters.’

– Tee & Teagan

* We did not receive monetary compensation for this review. That’s IT Mommy received the books mentioned in this post to facilitate this review.
 This will in no way sway our opinion of the product or service.
 The review is in our own words and is our opinion. Your results and opinions may differ.