On Halloween Night

Emily is so excited, she is dancing. Tonight is Halloween, and she is getting dressed to go out. What costume will she wear? She has a cape that her grandma bought to go with the skirt that her grandpa brought. There are socks with stripes on the side, a purse with strings untied. She has a necklace all twisty and black, and a spooky pointed hat. A cumulative rhyme and charming pictures bring Emily to life as she prepares for an evening that is sure to be creepy-and lots of fun.

Children's Literature

The very silly cartoon illustrations as well as the black pages with brightly colored text set this book apart visually from many of its Halloween counterparts. Youngsters may even be inspired to create elaborate borders on pages they write themselves. In this rhyming story, Emily is gathering all the elements for a witch's costume¾each item written in a different color and repeated in the style of "this is the house that Jack built": "This is the skirt that grandpa bought...to go with the cape that grandma brought for Emily to wear on Halloween night." The cumulative rhyme begins again when Emily begins collecting goodies: "This is the treat that came from the boy who answered the bell that Emily rang on Halloween night." Children will very quickly be able to read along, anticipate the next sentence and then replace the colored words with words describing their own costume and trick or treating. 2001, Puffin Books, $5.99. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Karen Leggett

Harriet Ziefert has been making magic with words for many years. She is the author of over 200 books for young readers. A mother of two and grandmother of five, she lives in South Orange, New Jersey.

Liz Murphy was born and raised in England and attended the Kingston Art College, where she majored in graphic design. She currently lives with her husband and two sons in Montclair, New Jersey. Liz has illustrated four other picture books for Blue Apple.