Halloween

Paper flaps conceal answers to dozens of questions about Halloween and its associated symbols and traditions in this large-format board book. Among the topics covered: the evolution of trick-or-treating, how different countries honor the dead (such as China’s Hungry Ghosts festival or Germany’s Walpurgis Night), and the origins of vampires, werewolves, and other creatures. More cheery than scary, Watson’s cartoons follow costumed children through a neighborhood, cemetery, and haunted house while trick-or-treating. Platt’s brief captions don’t go into much detail, but the book’s broad focus may encourage curious readers to seek out more information about Samhain, the Egyptian pyramids, the Day of the Dead, and more. Ages 5–7. (Aug.)