It’s Halloween, Little Monster

The creators of the Little Monster series send the title character trick-or-treating on his first Halloween in this rhyming tale. Much of the humor derives from Leick’s jaunty watercolors, in which paws, clawed feet, and fangs protrude from the already outlandish young monsters’ elaborate costumes. Little Monster warily peers out the window as a parent urges him to get ready: “It’s here, Little Monster!/ Almost time to go out./ Hurry! Get dressed!/ There are creatures about.” When the two head outdoors, Little Monster (with oversize ears poking out from a green Martian costume) looks dubious when reassured that a trick-or-treater isn’t really a ghost, but “a kid in a sheet.” The frights and assurances continue until a cemetery romp suddenly turns the tables on father-son fright quotients, making for a sweet but sudden conclusion. Ages 3–7. (July)