Annie's parents caution her against going to the "creepy old Montgomery Mansion," but she's not one to turn down a dare. "Annie was warned... but Annie wasn't scared," Krosoczka (Baghead) intones atmospherically as slanting, curving spreads depict her slinking down deserted streets, ducking tree branches, checking over her shoulder and beaming her flashlight at a black cat: "But Annie wasn't afraid of anything! After all, she was born on Halloween night." At last, she approaches the house's dark door—and a gatefold opens on a surprise birthday party. Krosoczka advances his story with sly agility, adding a subtle visual clue, too. A delicious mix of suspense and wit. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)
