Five Faves: Spooky Season Informational

There are so many awesome Halloween-themed informational books at the library. Some are fun and spooky while others are down-right frightening. Here are five of my favorites for those wanting to get in the holiday spirit.

The Ghostly Carousel
Written by Calef Brown
Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, 2018. 32 pages.

This book of very silly poems will get you in the mood for Halloween. There are poems about scary shadows, creeping crud, and a zombie named Joel. You will definitely get a kick out of these goofy monsters.

Living Ghosts & Mischievous Monsters
Written by Dan C. Jones
New York: Scholastic Press, 2021. 166 pages.

The author of this book is a member of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma and grew up hearing scary stories from the elders in his tribe. As an adult, he travelled the country to hear more chilling tales from other tribes and nations. These stories truly are spooky--some so wild, you wouldn't come up with them in your wildest dreams. You might want to read these with a light on....

Pumpkin Carving!
Written by Renee Kruilla
New York: Odd Dot, 2022. 47 Pages

If you're anything like me, you can never decide what face to carve into your pumpkin. This "show-how guide" is a fun way to get inspiration for your jack-o-lanterns. It has guides to traditional faces and encourages you to design your own! This would be especially helpful for first-timers who want to learn some tips and tricks.

Wild Things
Written by Jo Schofield
Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet Global Limited, 2019. 176 pages.

This book is ideal for Halloween lovers who are more interested in the magical side of the holiday. Dig into this book of mythical creatures, with only a few spooky monsters. It's pages are full of creative outdoor activities to celebrate these wild things.

Ghosts Unveiled!
Written by Keri Logan Hollihan
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2020. 195 pages.

Not everyone believes in ghosts, especially when you hear so many far-fetched stories. This book is full of actual ghost sightings all around the world. Some of these tales you might be able to write off as a trick of science or a groggy mind, but for the people who experienced these ghost sightings, they were real.

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Review: Umami

Umami By Jacob Grant New York: Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, 2024. Picture Book. Umami is a little penguin who is sick of eating the same thing everyday, cold fish --ugh! She becomes determined to find new foods and flavors, so Umami begins a journey across the sea in search of something different to eat. She reaches a place with a plethora of delicious options, and tries bitter, sweet, sour, and foods with umami (just like her name!) among others. Umami decides to bring all these delicious new flavors back for the other penguins to try in a feast. But, will the other penguins enjoy this new experience? Filled with charm and humor, Umami is a diverse romp through a universal experience --am I willing to try something new? What will it be like? The idea of trying new foods and flavors make it especially relatable, and the appealing illustrations will have many readers ready to hop out on a culinary adventure. A humorous and sweet ending, caps off this delig...

Review: Faker

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Five Faves: Picture Books with Festive Treats

In my family, December marks the beginning of the holiday season, where we get to spend time together and do all of our favorite traditions. And, of course, eat lots of yummy food. I love that holidays look different for different families, but so many families have special foods they eat during the holidays. These are some of my favorite picture books about families making (and eating!) special holiday treats. These books might even give you new ideas of festive treats to try! The Last Tamale Written by Mendiola Orlando Illustrated by Teresa Martinez New York: Harper, 2024. Picture Book. Once a year, Luis' whole family gets together for their annual tamalada -- a party where they make tamales using a super-secret recipe. It's all love, family, and tradition until there is only one tamale left. Who will get it? It's an all-out family battle to decide who gets the last tamale. Colorful and humorous, this story is perfect for the holidays or whenever your family likes to enjo...

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