FICTION / NONFICTION 

    Like the object of the title, the story is a bit flimsy and transparent, but the attractive full-color photographs help make up for the weakness.  Jonathan is the spinner of the tale and he truly believes that there is a ghost in his bedroom.  This nocturnal visitor knocks books off the shelves, tosses a teddy bear in the air and throws the basketball into the fish tank.  Not funny!  Because Jonathan's sister, Celeste, is a talented singer and loves to perform, she insists that her brother imagines these ghostly happenings just to draw attention to himself.   Not so!   Uncle Pete comes to visit from out West and it is in him whom Jonathan finds solace and a solution to his dilemma.  Not hard!  Consensus of the reading audience?  Not scary!
    Patricia J. Fittante; Children’s Librarian, Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba, MI
    25 years of experience working with children in school and public libraries

Dijs, Carla.  HALLOWEEN COLORS.  Illus by author.  Turn-the-flap series.  New York:
    Scholastic Cartwheel, 2002.  12p.  0-439-40355-3; bd. bk., $6.95.   PreS    BB

    This clever board book is a scary but not too scary Halloween title for preschoolers.   The dozen board book pages show five multicultural children and one father while the smaller flaps place masks over the faces to make a black cat, blue pirate, red alien, yellow monster, green dragon, and a white mummy.  The flaps appear sturdy enough for library circulation.   This book could be placed in several sections--board book, holiday, or color/concept collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Duquennoy,  Jacques.  OPERATION GHOST .  Illus. by author.  New York: Harcourt,
    1998.  32p.  ISBN 0-15202182-5 hb. $13.00.   98-43351   Gr. K-3    E

    Henry the Ghost has been having nothing but problems.  First he had the measles, then jaundice, next he banged his head, broke his arm, and then he fell asleep and couldn't wake up.  Henry's friends brought him to the hospital where Dr. Ouch operated to fix his internal clock!  Done in super-cute watercolor illustrations, this book would be good for younger readers as well as at Halloween time.  Kids will find the big "scissors" used in the operation or the big scar left by the operation, a bit shocking.
    Charlotte Oshe; Children’s Assistant, Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba, MI
    4 years of experience working in libraries

Duquennoy, Jacques.  THE GHOSTS IN THE CELLAR. Illus. by  author.  San Diego:
    Harcourt, 1998. unp.  0-15-201755-5 lib bdg. $12.95.   97-37583     PreS-Gr. 2    E

    Four ghosts are playing cards in the great entrance hall of a castle when they go down to the cellar to investigate a loud knocking.  After several false alarms they meet up with Aunt Gigi, a ghost who has come to celebrate her five-hundredth birthday.   It's all fun and games from that point forward.  Simple illustrations are done in the hues of Halloween.   Ghost fans will enjoy this illogical spoof.
    Patricia Fittante, Children's Librarian, Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba, MI
    24 years of experience as a school and public librarian

Hubbell, Will.  PUMPKIN JACK.  Illus by author.  Morton Grove, IL:  Whitman, 2000.
    32p. 0-8075-6665-9; lib.bdg., $15.95      Gr. K-3      E

    This is an excellent book to share the life cycle concept.  The first stages, when Will puts his jack-o-lantern back out in the field to rot and be covered with snow, seem harsh but then spring comes and new plants grow.  Tim watches changes until harvest time when he shares pumpkins with other children because “There were many, for the plant had been generous.  Tim was generous, too.  He gave away all but one.”  The colored pencil and solvent washes make this book aesthetically pleasing as well as add to the information about pumpkin growing.  Use this book with Levenson’s PUMPKIN CIRCLE: THE STORY OF A GARDEN.  (Tricycle, 1999).
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Krull, Kathleen.  HOW TO TRICK OR TREAT IN OUTER SPACE.  Illus. by Paul  Brewer.
    New York:  Holiday House, 2004. ISBN=0-8234-1844-8 hb.  $16.95.  Grades 1-4    E

            When three aliens go trick or treating in outer space, they encounter strange treats on even stranger planets.  The illustrations are colorful, but the text is stilted, flat and the humor is inappropriate for the age the book was written.  It is not an easy book to read aloud and not all children will enjoy the story.
            Sue McNeill, K.I. Sawyer Learning Center and Library

Leuck, Laura.  GOODNIGHT, BABY MONSTER.  Illus by Nigel McMullen.  
    New  York:  HarperCollins, 2002.  32p.  0-06-029151-6 hb. $14.99.  0-06-029152-4
    lib.bdg. $15.89.      2001-016849     PreS-K     E

     In this rhyming bedtime picture book, a baby monster is in his den with his mother: “Goodnight, baby monster, all warm in your den.”   The following double page  spreads have a couplet for the following babies: goblin, mummy, witch, bat, spider, dragon, ghost, swamp-thing, owl, black cat, werewolf, vulture, gremlin, and spooky baby (human).  Not even the smallest child will be afraid of these babies and their mother because they are look “warm and fuzzy” and their homes also share that non-threatening feeling.  A favorite scene is the mother/father and child reading a book together.  Because of the subjects, this book could also be used at Halloween time as a read aloud.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Melmed, Laura Krauss.  FRIGHT NIGHT FLIGHT.  Illus by Henry Cole.
    New York:  HarperCollins, 2992.  32p.  0-06-0297018; hb., $15.99
    0-06-029702-6; lib.bdg.,  $15.89  2000-063198   PreS-Gr. 3    E

    This cumulative Halloween rhyme begins “The moon sails high, the wind moans low,/the Fright Night Flight is set to go!”  Told in the first person by a witch who zooms around on her “super jet-fueled broom” and takes along a vampire, werewolf, ghost, monster, skeleton, and mummy.  The book ends with an illustration showing all of these creatures as trick or treaters.  This is a solid holiday selection for school and public libraries.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Minarik, Else Homelund.  LITTLE BEAR MAKES A SCARECROW.  Illus by
    David T. Wenzel.  Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear series.  New York:  HarperFestival,
    2002.  14p.   0-694-01686-1; bd.bk., $5.99   2002-100406      PreS    BB

    When the scarecrow that Little Bear made blows away, his mother dresses him like a scarecrow.  After scaring the crows away, Little Bear decides to share with them.  Although the book promotes sharing, it doesn’t address the reason for having a scarecrow in the first place.  Preschoolers who don’t know about Sendak’s original illustrations will find this book charming and funny.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

 Minarik, Else Homelund.  LITTLE BEAR’S SCARY NIGHT.  Illus by David T.
    Wenzel.  Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear series.  New York: HarperFestival, 2002.
    14p.    0-694-01685-3; bd.bk., $5.99   2002-100407    PreS    BB

    Little Bear plans to meet his parents at the Halloween bonfire.  On the way he is scared by an owl, duck, and later by his parents who have taken a shortcut.  Preschoolers may or may not be relieved that no goblins were encountered.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Modesitt, Jeanne.  MOUSE’S HALLOWEEN PARTY.  Illus. by Robert Snowart.
            Honesdale, PA:  Boyds Mills Press, 2004.  unp.    1-56397-950-0 hb.  $15.95 
            PreS-Gr. 2    E

            It was the day before Halloween and Mouse's Mamma said he could have a Halloween party.  He ran off to invite all his friends, Hedgehog, Mole, Squirrel, Bunny, and Pig.  All were excited to come except Pig, who started to cry.  She was planning on having her own party.  After much thought, Mouse came up with a great solution, he and Pig could have the party together.  All the friends joined together for a happy ending.  This is a great story about friends and sharing.  At the end of the book are two Halloween games, with directions, that you could play with your own friends.
            Laurel Miller. K.I. Sawyer Learning Center and Library.

O'Tunnell, Michael.  HALLOWEEN PIE.  Illus. by Kevin O'Malley.  Honesdale, PA:
            Boyds Mills Press, 1999. unp.  ISBN 1-59078-250-X pb. $8.95.  PreS-Gr. 2    E

            This is a delightful little book with a unique Halloween tale.  It is not too difficult to read and is written for children ages 4 and up.  The illustrations are very colorful, descriptive, and not too scary.  The story is clear with style.  It is also fun and easy to read to kids.
            Denise Nurkella. K.I. Sawyer Learning Center and Library

Poydar, Nancy.  THE PERFECTLY HORRIBLE HALLOWEEN.  New York:
    Holiday, 2001. 31p.  0-8234-1592-9; hb., $16.95.  00-03-39675    Gr. K-3     E

    Arnold wants his pirate’s costume to win the "Scariest of All" prize at Room thirteen's Halloween party.  Spelling that day consists of Halloween words and other activities devised by their teacher, Mr. Roche, are holiday centered.  But Arnold doesn’t listen because he remembers that he left his bag with his costume and chocolate gold coins on the school bus.  How Arnold improvises makes a funny story but what happens to his pirate garb is even funnier.  The gouache and pencil illustrations help to tell the story.   This is a good Halloween read aloud.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Purmell, Ann.  APPLE CIDER MAKING DAYS. Illus by Joanne Friar.  Brookfielld, CT:
    Millbrook, 2002.  32p.  0-7613-2364-3; lib.bdg., $21.90  Gr. K-3   E

    This book is a “must-read” before a class or family makes a trip to an apple orchard or a cider press.  The soft illustrations provide just the right touch before cousins visit Grandpa’s apple farm where they help pick apples that are destined for eating or pressing for cider.  The apples called “eating apples” are shown in bags, sorted by varieties like McIntosh and Cortland.  The other apples are chopped and squeezed, then made into cider.  Grandpa’s store, The Apple Barn, also sells homemade jam, squash, pie, and donuts.  The total effect is mouthwatering.  One of the best features is that the farmer looks like most farmers today and bears no resemblance to “Old MacDonald.”   The Ted and Peggy Leipprandt family has owned and operated an orchard and cider press for 25 years.  They recommend this book and appreciate the accuracy of the process.  Although the apples are shown being washed and then “bruised or oddly shaped” ones sent on to be made into cider, the Leipprandts though that it should have been made clearer that the apples used for cider are washed to avoid E-coli problems.  The Leipprandt’s think this book would be a good addition to their store.  Purmell is from Jackson, Michgian.  For a listing of orchards and cider mills, consult www.applejournal.com
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist
    GUEST REVIEWERS:  Ted and Peggy Leipprandt, Leipprandt Orchard, Pigeon, MI
    Members of the Michigan Horticulture Society and Cider Makers Guild of Michigan

Reeves, Howard W.  THERE WAS AN OLD WITCH.  Illus. by David Catrow.
    New York:  Hyperion, 1998.  18p.   0-7868-2387-9; lib.bdg., $10.49
    W0-7868-0438-6; hb., $9.96    98-06902     Gr. 1-4        E

     Reeves takes off on a twist of the favorite nursery song, "There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly," in this creatively written and illustrated Halloween tale.  A mummy and a skeleton are only two of the ghoulish characters mentioned in this book.  There is rhythmic and predictable repetition of text which encourages the children to chime in.  The delightfully spooky artwork which is done in two page spread watercolors thoroughly enhances the written word.  There is a hint of suspense which captures the children's attention as this is read to them or when they are reading it themselves.
    Mary Butorac, teacher, Vandenboom Elementary School,  MAPS, Marquette, MI
    16 years of experience as an educator

Rey, Margaret and H. A.  CURIOUS GEORGE GOES TO A COSTUME PARTY .
    Illus in the style of H. A. Rey by Martha Weston. Boston:  Houghton Mifflin, 2001.
    22p.  00-021804    0-618-065564-4; hb., $12.00     PreS-Gr. 3      E

    According to information in the book, the illustrations are watercolor and charcoal pencil computer generated illustrations by someone other than the original creator of this curious monkey.  The author of the book is not listed but Margaret Rey passed away in 1996 and her husband passed away in 1977.  Presumably, the story, like the illustrations, is written in the style of Martha Rey.  Usually books written or illustrated in someone else’s style are not as good as the original.  However, this title is easy to read and has a well-crafted plot.  Some of the original Curious George titles do not have clean plot lines.  This title is much better than the abominable books that were taken from movies/videos of the stories and have fuzzy illustrations.  Children can read this book themselves and will enjoy learning how Curious George won two prizes for his costume.  Purchase this to celebrate the 60th anniversary of a favorite picture book star.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Ruelle, Karen Gray.  SPOOKIER THAN A GHOST.  Illus by author.  New York:
    Holiday,  2001.  32p.  Holiday House Readers, Level 2:9.  0-823-1667-4; hb.,
    $14.95.   00-053854   Gr. 2-3     ER

    Harry and his sister Emily are preparing for Halloween.  In the first chapter, it is Oct. 1 and the cat children discuss previous costumes and Emily has Harry guessing what this year's costume will be.  In the second chapter, the two cats make a variety of spooky pictures to put in the windows and carve their jack-o-lanterns but Emily won't even tell her mother what her costume will be.  In the third chapter, Emily helps Harry make his dinosaur costume but works on her costume in secret.  In the fourth and last chapter, Emily is crying because she wanted her costume to be spooky, beautiful, big, and a surprise but it turned out dumb.  Harry cheers her up and when they go out trick-or-treating, Emily gets two extra surprises.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Stamper, Judith Bauer.  FIVE HAUNTED HOUSES.  My First Hello Reader series,
    Level 4.  Illus by Tim Raglin.  New York: Scholastic Cartwheel, 2000.  48p.
    0-439-20546-8; pb., $3.99    00-026572  Gr. 2-3    E     PAULIN’S PICKS

    These five separate stories about haunted houses are exciting for primary readers.  In the first story Jake does not believe in ghosts or that the old house on the hill is haunted.  Because of the illustrations, readers will enjoy the joke that the girl Jake talks to inside the house is really a ghost.  In the second story, Lisa is warned not to take the socks off a marble statue in the old house owned by her aunt and uncle.  The third story is a counting rhyme that goes up to five.  Luis’s new home is haunted and he convinces his parents they can’t live there.  In the last story stops at his friend Ben’s house so they can go trick-or-treating. The endings to the last two stories are priceless.   This is an exception holiday and easy reader.  Shelve with or easy readers rather than Halloween books because scary book are popular all year.  “A Terrible Fright!” is good for group unison choral reading.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Stine, R.L.  THE HAUNTING HOUR.   Illus. by several illustrators.  New York:
    HarperCollins, 2001. 153p.    0-06-623604-5;hb., $12.95.    Gr. 5-8    FIC

    Master of horror stories for the middle-grade reader, Stine has created a nightmarish collection of ten stories that will turn any hour into "the haunting hour.”   A different illustrator introduces each story including one about a babysitter who practices a form of voodoo.   One features a ghoulish Halloween party; others are about revenge of a snowman, dragons, mummies, and imaginary friends.   As Stine says, "These stories were written in the hour when lights fade, the real world slips into shadow---and the cold, moonlit world of evil dreams takes over your mind."   Stine's multitude of fans will be left screaming for more once they close the cover of this collection.
    Patricia J. Fittante; Children’s Librarian, Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba, MI
    25 years of experience working with children in school and public libraries

Tegen, Katherine.  DRACULA AND FRANKENSTEIN ARE FRIENDS.  Illus. by
    Doug Cushman.  New York:  Harper Collins Publishers, 2003.  ISBN=0-06-000115-1
    hb.  $15.99.    Gr. K-2     E  
            Read a great Halloween book that explores the importance of being good friends. 
Dracula and Frankenstein's friendship is tested when they each decide to throw a party on the same day.  Dracula now must choose between being a good friend  and having a great party.  The pictures are very detailed and will appeal to all ages.
            Kari Klaboe. K.I. Sawyer Learning Center and Library

Vaughan, Marcia.  WE'RE GOING ON A GHOST HUNT.  Illus by Ann Schweninger.
    San Diego:  Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2001.  32p.  99-50729   0-15-20235304; hb. 
    $15.00.      PreS-Gr2     E

    Every child, who has ever participated in the cant, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” will love this story. The children encounter a swamp, haunted house, skeleton, and more.  When they finally enter the cave and encounter the ghost, they run quickly all the way home like they do in the bear hunt chant.  The picture on the very last page is a superb example of nonverbal communication as it reassures readers about the encounter.  The linoleum cut illustrations are bright and bold and can be seen easily from a distance for story hour groups in public libraries, day care centers, and in primary classrooms.  This is a first purchase for Halloween collections.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI 49855
    32 years of experience as a school library-media specialist

Weston, Martha.  TUCK’S HAUNTED HOUSE.  Illus by author.  New York: Clarion,  
    2002.   32p.  0-618-15966-5; hb., $14.00  2001-055268   PreS-Gr. 3   E

    While Tuck, a pig, is preparing his “first-ever Haunted House” in their garage, his little sister, Bunny, ruins his progress.  Readers will enjoy reading about and watching Tuck peel his grapes, hang wet string for an Icky Drippy Forest, and prepare his Tunnel of Doom.  However, it is Bunny’s surprise that makes Tuck’s friend’s visit to the Haunted House memorable.  Many second graders will be able to read this book for themselves or will also enjoy hearing it read aloud to them.  This is a worthy holiday title.
    Mary Ann Paulin, Director; Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, Michigan
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Yaccarino, Dan.  FIVE LITTLE PUMPKINS.  New York: HarperFestival,
    1998.  16p.   0-694-01177-0; bd.bk.,  $5.95    PreS-Kg.     E

    A new and welcome format for the board book audience!  This Halloween fiingerplay has been transposed into a bright and attractive stoybook format that is sure to be attractive to anyone who is old enough to turn its sturdy pages.  Artist Yaccarino uses mainly orange and electric blue to hold his audience captive.  The text is brief...one line and rhyme per page, but the design is so inviting and delicious that the only problem will be to keep it out of the mouths of the young babes!
    Patricia Fittante; Children's Librarian, Escanaba Public Library, Escanaba, MI
    23 years of experience as a teacher and librarian

Yolen, Jane.  BENEATH THE GHOST MOON: A HALLOWEEN TALE.
    Illus. by Laurel Molk.  Boston: Little, 1994.    0-316-96892-7; hb., $14.95
    0-316-97007-7; pb., $5.95    92-07625      Gr. 1-3         E

    "‘Twas the night before Ghost Eve, and high in the sky, The moon was an unblinking Solid white eye." So begins this Halloween parody about a quiet farmyard where mice have their costumes ready.   Then green things come while they are sleeping and rip up the costumes and make a terrible mess. What should the mice do?  All ends well in this parody.  This is definitely a read-aloud book. The new paperback edition will go into classroom collections.  Public and school libraries will want the hardback edition.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Yolen, Jane and Martin H. Greenberg, eds.  THE HAUNTED HOUSE:  A COLLECTION
    OF ORIGINAL STORIES.  Illus. by Doron Ben-Ami.  New York:  HarperCollins, 
    1995. 88p.  0-06-024468-2; lib.bdg. $14.89.   0-06-024467-4; hb. $13.95.   
    0-06-440646-6; pb., $3.95       94-25136     Gr. 3-6     SC   or     FIC

    If you have never believed in ghosts you might want to visit the "Haunted House."  It is a clever format that was instrumented by Yolen and Greenberg when they created this collection of seven spooky stories--each one written by a different author and each story taking place in one of seven different rooms of a haunted house.  You are invited to come in to a house that creaks and groans---where there may be lights that blink off and on, or where things disappear.  It all starts in the cellar and traverses the house room by room (each author writes a story set in a different room) and it all ends in an attic Train Room.  Ben-Ami adds to the fun with realistic shadowy illustrations that compliment the text.  The chapters are short---but long enough to keep the shivers coming.  These two authors have assembled a creepy collection of stories that will leave the reader wondering just what that noise really was---in the next room!
    Patricia Fittantte, Children's Librarian,  Escanaba Public Library
    23 years of experience as a teacher and librarian
 

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NONFICTION

Gerver, Jane E.  GROW A PUMPKIN PIE.  My First Hello Reader series; level 1.
    Illus  by Rammy Speer-Lyon.  New York:  Scholastic Cartwheel, 2000.   32p.
    0-439- 20056-3; pb., $4.95    99-087748    PreS-Gr. 1   635.62   or   ER

    Learn how to make a pumpkin pie from planting to seed to eating the pie and saving seeds for next year in this easy reader.  There are stiff cards in the middle that have perforated edges so readers can match a picture with the word.  Five other activities and answers are included.  The rhymes in this book are natural and easy to read.  Use in the fall for Halloween or Thanksgiving.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Gibbons, Gail.  HALLOWEEN IS…  New York:  Holiday, 2002.  32p.
    0-8234-1758-1;     hb., $16.95   2001-059429  PreS-Gr. 3  394.26

    Gibbons begins with a history of Halloween and All Saints’ Day.  Then, in a few concise sentences on each page, Gibbons explains various symbols; like pumpkins, decorations, masks and costumes, bats, black cats, skeletons, scary stories, trick or treating, parties and games, scary plays, haunted houses, parades, laughter, and make believe.  The section on carving pumpkins shows steps for making a face but admonishes children not to carve or light a pumpkin without adult supervision.   The explanation of jack-o‘-lanterns includes a brief story about Jack and the Devil and his turnip lantern.  The book demystifies the customs and inadvertently sooths people who have problems with the holiday.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Gibbons, Gail.  THE PUMPKIN BOOK.   Illus by the author.  New York: Holiday,
    1999.  unp.  0-8234-1465-5, lib. bdg, . $16.95   98-45267  PreS-Gr.4+  635.62

     Gibbons begins by showing the different varieties of pumpkins available, what is necessary to grow them, planting by drill behind a tractor or in a hill by hand.  Readers learn about the about flower and how vines dry up when they are ripe. Other interesting tidbits include details about the largest pumpkin grown, pumpkin involvement in Thanksgiving and Halloween, how to carve or decorate pumpkins, how to dry pumpkin seeds.  There is information about Native Americans and pumpkins that can be used with studies of several  tribes.  Gibbons' book will be popular all year but especially in October and November.
     Mary Ann Paulin;  Director, Superiorland Preview Center
     32 years as a school library media specialist

Prelutsky, Jack.  HALLOWEEN COUNTDOWN.  Illus by Dan Yaccarino. New York:
    HarperFestival, 2002.  18p.  0-06-000512-2; bd.bk., $6.99    PreS     BB

    This Halloween board book is not too scary until the end when the ghost on the double-page spread says “Boo!”  The text, originally published as a poem called “Countdown,” was published in a book by Prelutsky called IT’S HALLOWEEN (Greenwillow, 1997).  This counting poem makes an age appropriate board book to help preschoolers count down from ten ghosts who reside in a variety of places like the attic or kitchen to only one ghost.  Although this is a Halloween poem, it could be placed with board books because ghosts are popular all year long.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Pringle, Laurence.  BATS!  STRANGE AND WONDERFUL.  Illus. by Meryl Henderson.
    Honesdale, PA:  Boyds Mills,  2000.  32p.   1-56397-327-8; hb., $15.95   98-83192
    Gr. 1-6 +     599.4  or  394.6

    Pringle, known for excellent science books for intermediate and middle school students, has created an excellent picture book.   As usual, Pringle has researched a topic and turned it into an interesting book.  Henderson's illustrations contribute significantly to the success of this book, making them a winning combination.  The fangs of the bat hanging upside down on the opening pages will grab readers and pull them into the book.  The subject is already one of interest to students and they will not be disappointed.  Pictures of over 20 bats are interesting.  A sample of a bat roosting box is included.  Megabats and microbats are explained; there are 800 kinds of microbats in the world and all of the bats in North America are microbats. This information and more are introduced in a book that school and public libraries will want to purchase for the science value as well as to add to Halloween displays.  If you already have Gibbons' BATS (Holiday, 1999), you will want this one too; it is for a slightly older group and covers more types of bats.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Schembri, Pamela.  SCARY STORIES YOU WON’T BE  AFRAID TO USE!
    RESOURCES AND ACTIVITIES FOR A K-6 AUDIENCE    Worthington,
    OH: Linworth, 2001.  168p.  1-58683-002-3  2001-029561  $39.95  027.62

    Early in this reference book for teachers in librarians, in a section called “Present the Material,” Schembri provides techniques for avoiding challenges and addresses formal complaints.    Appendix A is devoted to five web sites about selection policy.  Appendix B includes six addresses and 800 numbers for ordering media and lesser known publishing companies. The bulk of the book is devoted to Lesson plans and programs.  Mini lessons include making food, poetry activity sheet, critical thinking, songs, story pyramids, and sending e-cards.  Each activity includes objectives, resources, materials, procedure, and sometimes an activity sheet.  There are lessons for language arts, social studies, science, math, technology, and art.  There are a dozen activity sheets or projects.  The bulk of the book, from page 46-146 are annotated bibliographies of picture books, story collections, poetry and riddles, series, audiovisual materials, web sites, and professional references.  If a book is also available in audio or video format, then a graphic is included and the bibliographic information is listed in an audiovisual section.  The books are from recommended lists and the source and date for the reviews are given.  The copyright dates for most of the books are the 1900s but a few are from the late 1980s and some are from 2000.  There are subject, title, and author indexes.  Although this is seasonal, it is very useful for elementary building level media centers.
    Mary Ann Paulin; Director, Superiorland Preview Center, Marquette, MI
    32 years of experience as a school library/media specialist

Silver, Patricia.  FACE PAINTING.  Illus with photos.  Niagra Falls, NY:  Kid Can Do It
    Series, 2000.  40p.  1-55074-845-9 hb. $12.95.  1-55074-689-8 pb. $5.95