At the Old Haunted House

A good choice to share with wriggly listeners, who will soon be joining in. (Picture book. 4-6)

Copyright 2014 Kirkus Reviews, LLC Used with permission.

Readers meet the residents of a spooky house atop a grave-lined hill by way of a riff on the counting tune "Over in the Meadow": "At the old haunted house/ in a room with no sun/ lived a warty green witch/ and her wee witchy one." Wragg's background in animation shows in dramatically composed scenes lit with unholy shades of yellow and green, as well as the pale glow of moonlight. As Kettemen proceeds to 10, a werewolf family dances in a magenta library to tunes playing on a gramophone, gap-toothed mummies stir a burbling cauldron for their "mummy mommy" as trick-or-treaters peer in at them from outside, and furry fanged spiders spin "sticky webs/ in the dusty old den" while chandeliers sway in the background. A massive party fit for monsters and humans alike wraps up this entertaining Halloween adventure. Ages 5-8. Illustrator's agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Aug.)

K-Gr 2--An old haunted house is home to an assortment of creatures from "a warty green witch and her wee witchy one" to goblins, vampires, bats, black cats, werewolves, spiders, and more. Written in the pattern of the popular poem "Over in the Meadow," each page starts with the repeated phrase "At the old haunted house" and, on each page, the creatures increase in number from one to ten. The rhyme ends with three trick-or-treaters arriving and a Halloween fright party, which the creatures have been preparing for, bursting forth in celebration. The vibrant painted illustrations are dark, goofy, and mildly spooky. The text is simple rhyme with the creatures practicing spells, making strange noises, stirring brews, weaving webs, and other Halloween activities. Although the rhyme is occasionally awkward, this title will be in demand at the holiday and beyond. A rousing storyhour selection.--Paula Huddy, The Blake School-Highcroft Campus, Wayzata, MN