As we enter the Halloween season, here are some books that aren’t holiday specific but will set the tone for festivities. All synopses are italicized and in blue. They have been provided by the publishers. Reviews are by Jessica.
WOLFBOY IS SCARED, by Andy Harkness, Bloomsbury Children’s Books, July 11, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-6)
The only way for Wolfboy to get home before moonset is by sneaking through the Grumble Monster’s lair.
This is no problem for Wolfboy, who’s super brave and totally not afraid of anything! But . . . the rabbits should walk ahead. Wolfboy needs to watch their backs after all!
Wait, are those monster claws? Are those monster eyes? Maybe Wolfboy IS scared!
Author illustrator Andy Harkness gets his audience. He expertly uses timing to heighten action and mixes fear and humor to ease the tension. This is a fun book to read aloud, and kids will be drawn to the bold illustrations that have been created through a combination of virtual reality and photo editing.
VLAD, THE FABULOUS VAMPIRE (The World of Gustavo), by Flavia Z. Drago, Candlewick, Sept. 12, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 3-7)
From the acclaimed author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost comes a spooky celebration of difference.
Vlad is a vampire with the misfortune of having rosy cheeks that—gasp!—make him look abysmally alive. But being the fabulous vampire that he is (and hoping to avoid rejection), he hides his rosy complexion behind elaborate vampire outfits in traditional black. That is, until he finds out that his best friend has a pink secret of her own . . .
This is a charming tale of self-acceptance that kids will immediately understand – everyone is different in some way. Vlad is such an endearing character. Flavia Z. Drago’s mixed-media illustrations are bold and beautifully toned and pay homage to her Mexican heritage. This book is also available in Spanish.
EVERY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT, by Peter Cheong, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, Aug. 8, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 4-8)
A little lone werewolf prowls the nights on his own until he finds friendship in the most unexpected of places.
Every night at midnight, Felix turns into a wolf. His hands and feet turn into velvety paws, his senses grow sharper, and he grows a long, furry tail. Felix loves exploring on four legs, and he has the nighttime world to himself. There’s no one else like him.
During the day, Felix is human, but it still feels like there’s no one like him. The other kids used to invite him to play, but now they keep their distance. That’s fine, though. Felix doesn’t need anyone else. But after a chance encounter, Felix the little lone wolf starts to wonder whether he might find his pack after all.
Every Night at Midnight is a sweet story of loneliness and friendship found in the most unlikely of places. Peter Cheong’s story is gentle, even while depicting a wolf scampering, dashing and jumping through the night. His characters are approachable and the tone is pitch perfect.
THE BADDIES, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Scholastic Press, Aug. 1, 2023, Hardcover, $17.99 (ages 4-8)
Oh no! The Baddies are coming! They’re the meanest and nastiest ghost, witch, and troll in all the land, and they just love being bad. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But little girls are much braver than they thought, and baddies don’t always win…
You can’t really go wrong with a book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The duo behind Room on the Broom, The Snail and the Whale, and The Gruffalo are back with yet another tale of not-so-fearsome creatures up to no good. As is always the case, The Baddies has a lovely rhythm that makes it fun to read aloud. And the illustrations are bright and silly and exactly what kids love.
Copyright © 2023 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
