HALLOWEEN CIRCUS AT THE GRAVEYARD LAWN

Before going through this peculiar book, readers unfold the endpapers to reveal a phantasmagoric backdrop. Figures in this mural line up—some of the time—with images in the changing spreads; with a turn of the page, a pictured witch goes from stirring a cauldron to gripping a broomstick. But some clumsy pages block out a griffin's head or a clown's chin, and the randomly cavorting elves, minstrels and Alice in Wonderland characters have little to do with Neugebauer's (Where Is Henry?) plotless rhymes: "Ghosts are dreams. We're nothing more./ And without your dreams, life is such a bore!" Ages 5-8. (Aug.)

Note: Reviews of additional fall/winter holiday titles will run in the September 22 issue.