Tag: Halloween

REVIEW: Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis

REVIEW: Little Ghost Makes a Friend by Maggie Edkins Willis

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Little Ghost has always wanted a friend, but he’s been worried he might scare people away. When someone new moves in next door, and she likes so many of the same things that he does, Little Ghost decides to be brave and invite her over for Halloween.

Review

This is such a sweet friendship story! The artwork is lovely, and the pastel fall colors add to the cozy vibe. And happily, Little Ghost and Anya hit it off right away. She also tells Little Ghost that she’s happy to be his friend exactly as he is – and her human friends agree. This is a super sweet read for the season – check this one out!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Mothman's Happy Cryptid Halloween by Andrew Shaffer

REVIEW: Mothman’s Happy Cryptid Halloween by Andrew Shaffer

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and 8th Circle in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

When Halloween gets rained out and everyone decides it’s “the Official Worstest Halloween Ever (in the Whole Entire Universe),”® Mothman and his cryptid friends make a plan to save Halloween.

This follow up to Mothman’s Merry Cryptid Christmas is a fun, quirky story with great artwork. I loved Mothman and Bigfoot especially – Mothman’s costume is a hoot! While the plan to save the day goes awry, there’s still a happy ending, thanks to gracious townspeople and a day off school. The backmatter includes a hilarious cryptid guide.

The next book will be Mothman’s Very Cryptid Valentine, which looks adorable!

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good +

REVIEW: Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books by Barry Timms

REVIEW: Griselda Snook’s Spectacular Books by Barry Timms

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Tiger Tales in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary and Review

Henry helps a bookstore owner on opening day and discovers a “just right” book for himself.

This is a book about the joys of books and bookstores set in a Halloween-ish town. Everyone is friendly, and in the end, the whole town is seen reading. The artwork is lovely – even better in the print version than it was in the electronic! The illustrations will draw kids in to look closely at the book and pour over every picture for the little details. This is would be a good addition to home libraries as well as other collections where you want books with a seasonal feel that are not scary or spooky.

Rating: ♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥½ = Good+

REVIEW: The Woofmore Is NOT Haunted by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

REVIEW: The Woofmore Is NOT Haunted by Donna Gephart and Lori Haskins Houran

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Amulet Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

The Woofmore is hosting everyone’s favorite author, Silas Fang. Well, he’s everyone’s favorite except for Rufus. Rufus has always been too scared to try one of Silas Fang’s books. Why would anyone want to be scared by a story?

To Rufus’ great relief, Silas is at the Woofmore taking a break from spooky things. And Rufus assures him there’s nothing spooky about the Woofmore!

Except someone has been saying the Woofmore is haunted. Most of the hotel’s guests are there to see ghosts and be frightened. And Silas has said if he sees anything scary he’s going to leave the Woofmore and never come back! What can the staff at the Woofmore do?

Review

Another fun VIP (Very Important Pooch) visit to the Woofmore. This story is a little meatier than book 1 was. Ms. Coco has to figure out why her hotel has a spooky reputation while Rufus has to keep anything spooky away from their guest.

I love that Rufus is never shamed for not being into all of the spookiness. At the same time, he pushes past his fear to do his job well. Rufus is adorable, and I think kids will enjoy this. I think new readers can start with this fun, seasonal story – these books don’t have to be read in order. Watch for book 3, The Woofmore on Thin Ice, releasing in 2025.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read.

REVIEW: Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide by Liz Ireland

REVIEW: Mrs. Claus and the Halloween Homicide by Liz Ireland

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

April Claus has brought Halloween to Christmastown. The kids are thrilled about the costumes and candy of course. And many of the business people are making the best of the holiday novelty. But not everyone is a fan. Someone vandalizes the greenhouse that was growing pumpkins for the holiday festivities. There have also been threats on social media. And then someone tries to kill April. When a body is found, and the killer seems to be an unlikely snow monster, April starts to feel like the Halloween celebration may be overshadowed by a killer.

Review

This was another fun mystery starring April Claus in Santaland/Christmastown. I got such a kick out of the first book, Mrs. Claus and the Santaland Slayings, that this was a must-read for me. And I was not disappointed.

I love the setting for this series – the North Pole, populated by elves and reindeer. Right from the start, this series has a different feel from the majority of cozy mysteries. And the author has done a great job with her world-building. The towns and businesses as well as the Claus family castle are well established while still giving space for future developments and sites. And the core cast of characters are a fun collection of humans and elves, not too unlike the core of any cozy – but with some reindeer and snowmen thrown in.

The mystery in this book veers off in several directions, which I enjoyed. It kept me guessing all the way to the end.

There seemed to be some hints at a future story where maybe April’s “real world” life will clash with her Christmastown one when a friend comes to visit. I can’t wait to see how that goes if that is the next story in this series.

Yes, this is a Halloween story in a Christmas setting. It seems like it wouldn’t work, but it absolutely does, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Don’t miss this fun cozy series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might-re-read.

REVIEW: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

REVIEW: The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Aladdin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Founder’s Bluff’s history centers around the Kramer family – and witches. Judge Nathaniel Kramer led the settlers who founded Founder’s Bluff. And he led the witch hunt against a group of women who were seen as outsiders.

Turns out the women were witches. And they ran and hid as long as they could. But they eventually called on the goddess Hecate to help them find a safe haven where they could live free.

Moth Hush is a middle school student studying the history of Founder’s Bluff. On Halloween, she even dresses as a witch. But in a fit of anger after abuse by the usual bullies, something strange and magical happens.

What is Moth’s connection to the history of Founder’s Bluff and the witches who once lived there?

Review

This is a rich graphic novel that is a fantasy, but also an exploration of legacy, belonging, and identity. And I really enjoyed it!

Early on the book is all about the history of Founder’s Bluff, Moth’s questions, and her mom, Calendula. And that was fine. But as the story developed and we learned about Calendula’s life, it really grabbed my attention. Calendula longed for her own place – her own story and identity outside of magic. At the same time, Moth is longing for those things, also, but she wants the magic, too. It was fascinating!

If the story was just about Moth and magic, it would have been solid. But these deeper, richer themes really brought this up to the next level for me. Fantasy fans should be sure to check this one out! (Magic elements – witches, goddesses, spells, familiars, ghosts)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥