Scared Silly!: A Halloween Book for the Brave (Arthur Adventur...

A collection of original scary stories, poems, riddles, and jokes, combined with works by such writers as Ogden Nash and Bobbi Katz, offers frighteningly funny illustrations that help children laugh at their own imaginary monsters.

From Publishers Weekly

In his adult-directed foreword to this spirited anthology, Robert Coles muses on what being "scared" entails, concluding that as children venture into the unknown they "learn to take on this world, to get some sense of confidence about it, control over it." The mostly lighthearted entries in this volume will certainly assuage rather than feed youngsters' fears of spooks and the like (cf. Florence Parry Heide's "The Monster in My Closet," who "always tries to scare me / (he does it as a joke). / But tonight I shouted BOO! at him / and he went up in smoke!"). Tempering the potentially frightening endings of a small number of these selections is Brown's typically upbeat art, featuring a bevy of frolicsome kids, amicable ghosts, playful little monsters and benign witches--even the most exotic creatures (such as the chimerical fellow in Ogden Nash's "The Wendigo" and Jane Yolen's skeletal "The Fossilot") come off as decidedly nonthreatening. Other stellar contributors include Judith Viorst and Jack Prelutsky. Ages 4-8. Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-A collection of poetry, prose, riddles, rhymes, and other spooky stuff shivery enough to awe a young audience, yet silly enough for them to giggle their apprehensions away. Selections by such well-known authors as Ogden Nash, Jack Prelutsky, and Judith Viorst are included, as well as several original pieces by Brown. While many of the entries can be found elsewhere, as a whole they form a wonderful collection for young fright fans. Brown scores again with his own brand of warm, engaging watercolor art. Each bordered page is home to cackling witches, slithering ghosts, warty dragons, hairy giants, hungry snakes, or snapping sharks. Brilliant colors, attention to detail, and the excellent balance of text and art provide a feast for the eye. The book is indexed by titles as well as by authors. A foreword by child psychiatrist Robert Coles acknowledges for parents and other adults the fears children have about their world, recognizes the need to identify them, and applauds the idea of laughing them away. Every time this book is shared, the results will be the same: "Read more, please read more." That's when you know you have a winner.Dot Minzer, North Barrington School, Barrington, ILCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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