Spooky Castle

Disconnects between text and art, some odd turns of phrase, and poorly formatted text that masks the verse’s rhyme scheme mar this Halloween story. On the first page, readers meet guitar-playing skeleton Benny Skully, who wears a red cape and backwards blue baseball cap (referred to as “his large hat,” though there’s nothing notably large about it). Subsequently Benny, a witch, a cat, and a ghost dance, enjoy a “Halloween dinner roast,” and get candy from “Jumping Jack, the black-dressed pumpkin man.” Rigo’s art is full of pleasing details to explore, but it’s the book’s weaknesses that linger. Ages 2–5. (Aug.)