Spooky Season Reads

Ghosts are everywhere… if you know how to look.

Originally published in 1864, Spectropia is a science-based, time-honored guide to seeing ghosts, ghouls, spirits, skeletons, and witches—no graveyard loitering necessary.

Simply stare at the sixteen color plates inside this book for twenty seconds and you will see colorful spooky specters, life-sized or colossal. Whether a true believer or a skeptic, anyone can experience the paranormal with Spectropia.

According to legend handed down for many generations, either directly from French settlers to Louisiana or from the French Canadian immigrants, the Rougarou (Cajun werewolf), cannot count to 13. So when parents on the bayou scare their children with the creature, they also tell them that if thirteen stones are placed across a doorway he won't enter until he can count them. Since he only has ten fingers and toes how will he count that high? In this charming board book for little ones, Cajun artist and author Alexis Braud uses her unique style to befuddle the hapless Rougarou as she helps children learn to count better than that werewolf can!

It�s the night before Halloween, and these witches still have many last-minute things to do! In this spooky parody of Clement C. Moore�s famous Christmas poem, the witches are up to their elbows in cobwebs and slime, trying to make sure their witchlings are well prepared for their first Halloween broomstick ride. Featuring witches like Mad-Maud and Snaggle-Tooth-Ruth and plenty of ghouls, zombies, monsters, skeletons, and moldy cellars that will satisfy all Halloween lovers, this good-natured book about these wickedly fun witches will have kids more amused than frightened.

Halloween is one of the most exciting days of the year for students. Imaginations—and children—run amok, fueled by thoughts of pumpkins, trick-or-treat plans, and sugar highs. But at school, their teachers dread the yearly shenanigans, and this year, the students have started celebrating a day early. With princesses running a tiara trade ring in the girls’ bathroom and a laser sword battle among fourth-grade space rangers, the kids are quickly taking control of the school!

           When a group of fifth-grade monsters tie up two first-graders and prepare to eat them, the teachers are ready to call it quits! It’s up to the students and their parents to show the teachers a new kind of Halloween and give them a holiday treat they’ll never forget.

Monsters, fractions, and cake, oh my!

Mariah's baking a cake for some monsters, and the measurements are all messed up. Who knew that 2 half cups equal 1 whole cup! Mariah is so confused. Does 30 minutes really equal a half of an hour? Brennan tries to help her figure it all out, smirking all the way, but the monsters will be coming over soon! Quick, bake that cake! Soon the cake is finished, smelling perfectly boggish, just like Mariah wanted . . . But, wait, Brennan wonders, why are monsters coming over anyway?

This extra special and delightfully silly story teaches children fractions in a fun, exciting way, all while showing the special power of friendship and the funny way perspective can be skewed. An action packed and sweet tasting activity is included at the end of the story so all little 'monsters' can bake along!

Author Ed Shankman and illustrator Dave O'Neill turn their attention to Vermont and one of that state's great legends: Champ, the Monster of Lake Champlain. Champ is seen through the eyes of a likable tomboy, who sets out from her favorite spot by a maple tree and finds herself by the lakeshore. She meets Champ, who turns out to be a very kid-friendly monster--inviting the girl to sit on his head and ride with him through the Vermont countryside. Together, these unlikely friends dash past farms and mills and over covered bridges, meet some cows, eat some maple syrup-covered cheese, and eventually return to the girl's favorite maple tree. The charming story ends as it began: If you come to Vermont / Near a lake called Champlain, / And you cut through the woods / On an old country lane, There's a chance you will see / My friend Champ and me / Playing happy and free / By the old maple tree.

When Mama Witch concocts a special Halloween soup for her Little Witch, she adds eye of newt, spit of bug, and hair of slug. But Little Witch turns up her tiny nose at the culinary creation. She prefers such sticky sweets as butter toffee, caramel dandy, and cotton candy. Can these picky eaters come to a compromise? Complete with a recipe for Halloween soup, this fun read is a treat for children and parents alike.

Broomsticks, cauldrons, and wands-oh my! Join Mama Witch and the Picky Little Witch as they travel to Witches R' Us for "Back to Ghoul" supplies. The choosy daughter and practical mother find it difficult to agree on capes, shoes, brooms, and more. Charming wordplay, bewitching rhymes, and spirited illustrations make this humorous story about compromise fun for all.