Review by Booklist Review
Not everybody likes Halloween. Like many small children, Farmer Brown finds its sights and sounds downright terrifying. He copes by leaving a bowl of candy on the porch and a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door. But that night, someone creaks across his porch, swipes his candy, and hammers a HALLOWEEN PARTY at the barn! poster onto his door. Incensed, Farmer Brown investigates, only to discover that he has won an unexpected honor. A holiday-themed picture book in the series that began with the Caldecott Honor Book Click, Clack, Moo (2000), this sequel features many of the qualities that have made the books so popular: a concise text with a storyteller's sense of sound and rhythm, strong and expressive brush-and-watercolor illustrations that show up well from a distance, and Farmer Brown's push-pull relationship with Duck, his independent-minded antagonist. A somewhat spooky, decidedly droll read-aloud choice for October.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Farmer Brown has endured a lot in Cronin and Lewin's Click, Clack, Moo series, and in this sixth book, he's up against a holiday he hates, Halloween: "Witches give him nightmares. Pirates give him shivers." He's in the minority on the farm, though, as the sheep, mice, chickens, and more don costumes for a barn party. And who exactly is that "dark creature standing beneath the trees," with a vampire cape and an orange bill? Cronin makes delicious use of onomatopoeia and repetition to generate eerie tension, and Lewin's moonlit watercolors add just the right touch of spookiness. Ages 3-7. Agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Halloween is here, and Farmer Brown is unenthused. The holiday is full of things that make him duck under the covers-witches, pirates, and more. In fact, he leaves a bowl of candy on the porch and cowers under the quilts for the night. Wait, what's that going on in the barn? The animals are having a Halloween party. Sounds abound-the noises Farmer Brown dreads. What's that tapping on the door? His curiosity cannot be contained, and Farmer Brown ventures out into the barn, where a party is in full swing, and he, in his astronomy-themed pajamas, wins the prize for best costume. This onomatopoeia-filled tale by Doreen Cronin (S. & S., 2013) is narrated by Maurice England with a perfect farmer's twang, and Betsy Lewin's hilarious illustrations are amusingly animated. VERDICT This is a perfect blend that would delight audiences both old and young, and not just at Halloween.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA © Copyright 2015. 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
Halloween humbug Farmer Brown leaves candy on the porch and hangs a DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door. After hearing strange noises outside, he trembles under the covers. However, we know that those Click, Clack, Moo party animals are hosting a Halloween bash. The well-paced text and appropriately shadowy illustrations assure listeners that the only foul thing afoot is a costumed fowl. Originally published in 2013; the brief, sound effectsheavy text lends itself well to this new board book format. kitty Flynn September/October 2019 p.51(c) Copyright 2019. 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.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
The barnyard animals love Halloween. Farmer Brown does not. Sounds like the perfect time for tricks and treats! Since Farmer Brown wants nothing to do with the scary holiday, "he leaves a bowl of candy on the porch.draws the shades and locks the door." Out in the barn, though, the party is just getting started. Saturated watercolors show Cow dressed as a skeleton, the chickens looking quite ghostly and the sheep donning witch hats. As field mice and cats arrive, creepy sounds begin. The "crunch, crunch, crunching" and the "creak, creak, creaking" lead to a "tap, tap, tapping." Hearing them, Farmer Brown peeks out his window to investigate. Readers will chuckle and easily recognize "the dark creature standing beneath the trees." The farmer, however, runs to his bedroom to pull the covers up over his head. Now the sounds repeat, as the figure comes closer. This time, though, the tapping is followed by a "quack, quack, quackle." Wait--"Quackle??" Farmer Brown goes out to the porch to find the candy bowl gone and a note on the door announcing, "Halloween Party at the barn!" The chorus of onomatopoeic phrases throughout the briskly paced text guarantees an interactive read-aloud, though fans of Duck's earlier outings will miss their satiric bite. Sweet and silly--good enough for Halloween. (Picture book. 3-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
