Dora's Spooky Halloween (Dora the Explorer Series)

Publishers Weekly

For trick-or-treaters in need of a costume, the board book Dora's Spooky Halloween might help. Boots, Diego and other friends pitch in to help Dora figure out what she will be for Halloween-and offer readers clues to her disguise. Kids will be happy to find out that she goes the classic route: a witch. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Sheilah Egan

Dora asks the reader for help in deciding on a costume for Halloween. She offers different options (cat, doctor, police officer, astronaut, etc.) and then sees that Boots is dressed as a spooky vampire. She wants to be spooky, too. Saying "Come on!" Dora invites the reader to look for something spooky. She adds different requirements for the costume as she meets different characters that appear with her on the TV series Dora the Explorer seen on Nick Jr. Seeing Diego as a pirate with a macaw inspires the desire for an animal companion. Now she is looking for something spooky that includes a cat. If they are old enough to know about witches, children are already predicting what sort of costume she needs. Younger children will need the rest of the clues, which include a pointy hat and a broom. The last page shows the accumulated props as Dora the Witch flies off on the broom, with the cat and Boots along for the ride. She does not forget to say "Thanks for helping me find my costume." The bright colors and the culmination of the collected items will appeal to youngsters, as well as help them develop skills of observation and the anticipation of results.