Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews

Halloween Mice

Halloween Mice

Bethany Roberts
Illustrator:  Doug Cushman 
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 5
Clarion, 1997   ISBN: 978-0395866191

The Halloween mice are out and about, dressed up and ready for a Halloween night. They "Hurry! Scurry!" to the pumpkin patch where they have a wonderful party dancing in the moonlight as the leaves drift down. Then the mice have an unexpected visitor, an unwanted visitor, and they come up with an ingenious, spooky, way to get rid of him.

Muted colours and hushed words set the mood of this simple little story with its little surprises and its very appropriate finale. The minimal text makes great use of words full of movement and action, leaving plenty of room for the imagination of the reader to take flight.