Fright Club

After a witch, vampire, ghost, and other creatures convene for a tree house meeting of Fright Club, it soon becomes clear that the club's first rule is that cute creatures need not apply: "Fright Club is for monsters only!" says vampire Vladimir as he shoos away a fluffy white rabbit. However, the club's monsters aren't very good at "ghoulish faces" and "scary moves," and the bunny--along with a squirrel, turtle, and other traditionally unscary creatures--could actually show them a thing or two. Long's dark, ghostly palette sets an appropriately eerie mood, and he has a lot of fun with the cuddly animals' reign of terror (a butterfly wields chains, Jacob Marley style, as it chases a ghost). Don't worry about what goes bump in the night, Long seems to suggest--daylight can be plenty scary, too. Ages 4-8. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 2--Vladimir the vampire summons all the local monsters to a meeting in his tree house the night before Halloween. Frankenstein, Witch, Ghost, Mummy, and others show up for the Fright Club meeting to discuss Operation Kiddie Scare. They are doing important things, such as reviewing the three traits of highly effective monsters, when suddenly there is a knock at the door. There's a cute bunny outside wanting to join the Fright Club. Vladimir shoos her away, however, because "Fright Club is for monsters only!" Back to the meeting he goes to lead the group in making their scariest sounds and faces. They're all duds, and it's not going well. Even an eye-popping mummy isn't scary enough. And then, there's another knock at the door. Bunny is back with her attorney, Frances Foxx, claiming that her client was denied inclusion in the club. Vladimir slams the door and returns to lead the group in scary moves. They're still not very scary, and suddenly there is a third knock at the door. Bunny is back with her attorney and a protest group comprised of Turtle, Butterfly, and Fly, all carrying signs and making loud noises. Eventually, the protesters are allowed inside and are actually pretty good at conjuring up scary faces and noises. They're officially allowed to join the club, and Operation Kiddie Scare the next night is a great success. "When it comes to scaring, the more, the merrier." The illustrations of not-so-scary, cartoonlike monsters are rendered in muted hues of orange, brown, and gray. Created with graphite pencil and drawing paper, they are digitally enhanced. VERDICT Silly but entertaining. Purchase for seasonal collection or Halloween laughs.--Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA