Halloween Night

ISBN 0061351873 - Manufactured in China. Library Binding, 29 pages. Published by Greenwillow Books in 2008. By Marjorie Dennis Murray, illustrated by Brandon Dorman. Marked for ages 5 to 9.I'm always a happy reader when it's time for a new round of holiday-themed kids' books and starting this Halloween-reading-season with this particular book makes me extra happy!Told in smooth-as-silk rhyming text, a witch and various friends prepare for a party on Halloween night, readying their haunted house for the trick-or-treaters who, once they get a glimpse, flee in fright!First off, shame on me for missing this book for several years! There are so very many so-so Halloween books out there and those I find by the hundreds, but somehow the best of them allude me at first, and Halloween Night is among the best so far. The story, like many others, is clearly modeled on the "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" style. Others, however, fail where Murray succeeds. The rhyme actually flows so well that there's almost no way to avoid the built-in cadence when you read, aloud or to yourself: there's nothing clunky or trying-too-hard here! The story has a little creepy/scary edge to it, but not enough to genuinely frighten young kids, and the almost comedic running-away-in-fear reaction of the kids in the story breaks the tension nicely.Add in the absolutely flawless and positively immense illustrations by Dorman and I'm in love. Each image takes up a full two-page spread, and every inch is used to capture the moment. From the looming brightly lit mansion on the first pages to the look of stunned fright on the faces of the trick-or-treaters and all the way to the morning sunrise on the last pages, there's so much to see that it's almost impossible to decide whether to focus on the words or the pictures. That indecision will keep readers coming back again and again to flip through the pages and see what they missed last time. I've always thought of Halloween as the total childrens' holiday - silly and spooky and full of games, candy and fun and none of the obligations of sharing time with religious services or family meals that drag on to keep you from opening gifts - and I greatly appreciate the few books I find that understand and embrace that. Halloween Night is definitely one of those books.- AnnaLovesBooks

It had some rhyming issues, but since I’m not a perfectionist; my boys still enjoyed it; and I don’t have a fear that Shakespeare is going to come back from the grave and attack anyone who thinks this was a literary masterpiece, I’m calling this a great addition to our family’s Halloween collection.

I love this book! The story is spooky, whimsical, and fun. It reads like a poem with rhyming and rhythm. The artwork is beautiful. It really captures the spirit of Halloween. We have turned this book into a tradition to be read on fall nights leading up to Halloween.

My Halloween-story-loving 4-year-old son loves this book! But it freaks him out just a little. Freaks my 3-year-old out even more. But they still like to read it!The story is kind of creepy- with REAL ghouls and ghosts and body part pictures. Illustrated, of course, but still kind of creepy. The story is fun, though, and the pictures are great. My kids really enjoy reading this. It's just that in a lot of Halloween stories, the ghouls, ghosts, and goblins turn out to be people dressed up like them, or they end with everyone getting along. At the end of this book, the kids run away scared to death, while the scary guys end their party.Soooooo, the moral of this story is: This book is kind of creepy, but fun for older kids!

Written in the same format as Clements Twas The Night Before Christmas. A clever rendition with great illustrations and enjoyable for kids of all ages. The more often you read it, the more the kids can recite its lines. They anticipate the next page(s) and really get a kick out of the story line. Halloween is such a great night for reading up to the night the witches take flight. Enjoy this treat with your kids and grand kids. Save this book so one day you can read it to your kids can read it to theirs. Such sweet, sweet memories.. And to all a good night!

My 4 year old is obsessed with Halloween and it’s creatures. He loves this book and loves the details. If your child is easily scared they might get a little freaked out by this book but the story is great. My son constantly wants to read it over and over.

I am so glad I got this copy. The one the grandkids got from us was showing the years of use! So I plan to put this copy in my regular bookcase and when the time comes for great grand kids, well someone will remember how lovely the story was, and pass this copy on to them. We so enjoyed this book , I thought it was the best plan. Thanks to the author from our family, smiling emoji

I think I love this book just as much as my 2 year old. The words and rhythm are fun and the illustrations are great! I try to say it in my creepiest voice for him and he just loves it. For a good couple of weeks we were reading it every night before bed. It's still one of his most requested books to read.

Since last 31st October 2014 my small son has been obsessed with Halloween and this book is perfect. The illustrations are wonderful with a storyline entertaining and 'spooky' enough for a three year old, I highly recommend this book to any Halloween loving child!

Very well illustrated, my 5 year old son really likes this book.

Ich habe dieses Buch für den Englischunterricht in einer 4. Klasse gekauft. Die Geschichte ist sehr nett. Ich habe sie den Schülern vereinfacht vorgetragen und es hat den Schülern gut gefallen.Es handelt von den Vorbereitungen, die in einem Spukhaus von allen Kreaturen getroffen werden, um die "Trickster" zu empfangen,. Auf einer Seite wird auch genannt, als was sich die Kinder verkleidet haben. Als die Kinder den Kreaturen gegenüberstehen, haben sie allerdings wenig Lust auf die Party und laufen entsetzt davon.

Great kids book for Halloween. Has the same kind of rhythm and feel as the night before Christmas, only for Halloween...

Came in perfect condition. Remake of night before Christmas. Very cute read.