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Best Family Books: Halloween Goodies
By SONJA MEYER DUNTLEY
No wonder Halloween is one of children's favorite holidays. They get to play dress up, go out with friends and actually get candy every time they ask for it. They also anticipate school parties, pumpkin rides and ghoulish games.
I've scared up some fiendishly fun reading. Enjoy these treats.
NEW BOOKS FOR HALLOWEEN
Ages 3-7:
"Goodnight, Baby Monster," by Laura Leuck (HarperCollins Publishers, 2002, 24 pages. Hardcover, $14.99). Children snuggling down in their blankets to hear a bedtime story will be soothed by this rhythmic narrative. It bids good night to all little spooks from the baby goblin to the baby witch and the baby swamp-thing. The book takes popular Halloween characters and makes them cute and sleepy-cuddly.
"Laura Numeroff's 10-Step Guide To Living With Your Monster," by Laura Numeroff (Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins Publishers, 2002, 32 pages. Hardcover, $15.95). "When choosing a monster, do not pick one who grabs you and starts to eat your shirt," starts this light- hearted manual. Young children who fantasize about having their own mammoth monsters will laugh at the suggestions for naming, feeding and otherwise enjoying a monster friend. Nate Evans depicts a friendly beast with his colorful illustrations.
Fun For The Whole Family:
"Halloween Pumpkins and Parties, 101 Spooktacular Ideas," by Better Homes and Gardens, edited by Carol Field Dahlstrom (Better Homes and Gardens/Meredith Books, 2002, 144 pages. Paperback, $15.95). Halloween wouldn't be complete without a good craft and activity book for inspiration. Simple directions and color photographs offer detailed projects. The book covers pumpkin-carving that goes beyond triangle eyes to Spiderama, creature cutouts (with patterns), Mr. Mummy and more. Check out the cute decorating ideas for "teeny, tiny pumpkins," Eyeball Staring Silverware and Creepy Coasters. Conjure up some fun goodies like Golden Beetle Juice Slush, Rat Cake, Fried Gremlin Ears and a unnervingly realistic-looking "Constricting Snake Bites." There are a just a couple of costumes and some cute treat holders.
"Halloween," by Jerry Seinfeld (Little Brown and Company/A Byron Preiss Book, 2002, 30 pages. Hardcover, $15.95). You probably won't miss your bookstore's display for this book by funny-guy Jerry Seinfeld. Adults will fondly remember their own childhood capers in search of that wonderful treasure: CANDY. In typical Seinfeld style, the book trumpets the vision of the beloved "real Superman Halloween costume" but bemoans its reality: a mask with a rubber band that always breaks and a poorly fitting robe. Then there's mom with a coat. "I don't remember him (Superman) ever once flying with a coat on, not like the one I had, cheap corduroy, phony fur." Although it offers adults fun laughs and entertaining cartoons, it may not be the best choice for very young kids. They may not get some of the 1970s- humor and probably should not get the obnoxious preteen attitude about throwing candy you don't like back at an elderly woman.
HALLOWEEN AT THE LIBRARY
Your local library offers plenty of titles you can add to your Halloween reading. Here are a few picks:
Ages 3-8:
"My Monster Mama Loves Me So," by Laura Leuck (Harper Trophy/HarperCollins Publishers, 1999, 24 pages. Paperback, $5.99. Ages 3-8). Even though mama's a three-eyed monster, she shows her love the way most moms do: with tickles, cookies, games and lullabies. She also reassures her child about the "scary things." Youngsters will enjoy a new perspective on what's scary to a monster: loud kids in jeans and sneakers.
"I Dare You, Stories To Scare You," by Kathleen Keeler (Hello Reader, Level 3, Scholastic Inc., 1999, 38 pages. Hardcover, $11.55). Here's a collection that will please first- and second-graders because it is frightening and because they can read it themselves. "The Cemetery," "Home Scary Home" and "Bones In The Bed" tell young readers that "only the brave will keep reading to the end." (Note: Scholastic Inc. plans to publish a followup to this in October: "I Double Dare You, More Stories To Scare You," also by Kathleen Keeler.)
Middle School/High School:
"Creepy Cuisine, Revolting Recipes That Look Disgusting But Taste Divine," by Lucy Monroe (Random House, 1993, 80 pages. Paperback, $4.99). This is sure to please middle schoolers and high schoolers who love the sickening side of Halloween (don't worry parents, it sounds worse than it is). Creepy Cuisines is chockfull of such nauseating recipes as Crudites With Vomit Vinaigrette, Brains On The Half Skull, Chips And Lips and Tempting Toenail Truffles. It's all in good fun, though; the ingredients are things like spaghetti and cottage cheese and the introduction urges readers to ask an adult for permission before cooking, wash your hands, etc.
THIS JUST IN
Here's a book by a popular author that doesn't fit with the Halloween theme, but it came out this year and is an entertaining read for ages 3-7:
"If You Take A Mouse To School," by Laura Numeroff (Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins Publishers, 2002, 30 pages. Hardcover, $15.99). Best-selling children's author Laura Numeroff brings back her energetic little mouse in his latest escapade, tagging along to school. Like several of her titles, this story is written in a circular style that takes youngsters through many mischievous mishaps and back to the possibilities facing a boy and his mouse.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sonja Meyer Duntley is a freelance writer in the Syracuse, N.Y. area, who covers parenting, health, business, women's issues and general interest features. She also is the owner of Coventry Park Gifts, an Internet store and mail order business. Visit www.coventryparkgifts.com for savings this week on a beautiful Americana wreath, free decor tips, religious items and family gifts.