Review by Horn Book Review
"Skeletons have no muscle -- / they'll never win a race. / Their legs flop 'round like jelly, / and they fall down on their face." Evans's peppy rhyming text reassures readers that without muscles, skin, brains, noses, and guts, skeletons pose no threat to humans, while Dreiling's digitally composed mixed-media illustrations feature three trick-or-treaters who aren't convinced. When they encounter one of the skeletons that, "waking from their slumber...climb out of the ground" on Halloween night, the kids run away as the skeleton gives chase. But has anyone considered that since skeletons "have no friends," maybe "they'd like to find a few"? The raucous illustrations are packed with visual treats. (c) Copyright 2023. 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
On Halloween, a group of friends learns that skeletons aren't really that spooky after all. Turning the skeleton's creepy reputation on its head, Evans exposes the truth: "Old bones can't hurt you, right?" Three trick-or-treating friends find out that skeletons really aren't as strong, smart, or brave as humans thanks to their lack of muscles, brains, and guts. Though they initially flee the green skeleton that emerges as they munch candy, the kids end up including the skeleton in their treat-eating treehouse fun. Evans' rhythmic quatrains maintain a steady cadence and work in a rhyme involving smelly boots and toots that's sure to entertain little readers. Dreiling's illustrations make excellent use of shades of gray, the color applied to the background trees, fencing, landscape, and sky. This also helps capture the Halloween mood. The children, two with brown skin and one who's pale, are the focal point of all of the colors. Gold and red are standout features of their hair and costumes and contrast nicely with the gray tones of the background. Observant readers will notice how Dreiling contributes visual subtext apart from the narration, as with one child's lost shoe that can be tracked across pages on its way back to the owner. The book nicely demonstrates how something fearful can seem much less so when reduced to its parts, a comforting message for little readers. A high-interest and refreshing take on a traditionally creepy creature. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
