Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Bela, a vampire with a fanged overbite, and his witch friend, Morgan, set out to look for children on Halloween night, though they aren't sure they exist ("I've heard they like to swing and climb," Bela says). But when they attend a party, they discover that the partygoers are actually children dressed in Halloween costumes. The use of speech balloons adds to the intimacy of Brown's detail-rich scenes, and the absence of parental figures contributes to an exultant mood. The lyrical, understated prose and clever outsider's perspective on the holiday might make this a new seasonal favorite. Ages 3-7. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K-Bela, Boy Vampire, and his witch friend Morgan fly across town on Morgan's broom, looking for children with rosy cheeks and tiny white teeth. The friends are attracted to a well-lit house and discover a Halloween party with warty witches, ghosts, goblins, pirates, and vampires. Although Bela and Morgan seem to fit right in, they experience some puzzling moments, as when a scary vampire wins the costume contest, and the vampire isn't Bela. At evening's end, the masks come off and rosy-cheeked children are revealed. Morgan flies Bela home, where he falls asleep in his coffin bed, hugging his stuffed bat. The brief text and gentle illustrations work together in telling this Halloween story. The double-page illustrations are simple and uncluttered, but include clever details. Adults in particular will appreciate the books scattered on Morgan's floor. Titles include The Crucible and The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This friendly story will delight, but not frighten young readers. It's a good addition to holiday collections.-Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A vampire boy and a witch want to know: Do children--with "rosy cheeks" and "tiny white teeth"--really exist? They're still unsure the night they stumble upon a kids' costume party full of "ghosts," "goblins," "ghouls," etc. Some readers will wish that this cute conceit had more of a plot, but all should appreciate Brown's agility as an illustrator. (c) Copyright 2011. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
