Halloween Round Up #1 with Penguin Young Readers

Today we are showcasing Halloween with titles from Penguin Young Readers. Many thanks to Penguin for letting me review these amazing titles. 

Here are FOUR of their Halloween titles!

Take a look!

Please Don't Scare the Ghost by Carrie Williford, Illustrated by Allysa Adams

Publisher: Flamingo Books
Publication Date:  July 14, 2026 

About the Book: 

It's Halloween night! Which means it's time to take your friendly neighborhood ghost trick-or-treating.

You may not think of your ghost as being scared of many things, but that's something you should know up-front about your ghostie friend: they scare easily. And before you venture out, it's important to know that there are many rules to follow when meeting your local creepy crawlies. Please Don't Scare the Ghost is your one-stop shop to navigating Halloween night and its witches, ghosts, zombies, and vampires, so as not to offend any of your new friends.

 

Review: I really enjoyed this book! The scared ghost was really adorable, and I think shy or easily frightened children will connect with the ghost and feel at ease since they can relate to him. I liked the main character's unicorn costume that was whimsical and fun, they did a good job looking out for their little ghost friend and helping them trick-or-treat. There are a few creepy moments, and the witch was definitely a little off-putting, but overall, the artwork is wonderful. It has a soft, almost airbrushed feel, with bright colors and immersive scenes that bring all the Halloween creatures to life. I loved seeing all the fun spooky characters throughout the story, and underneath it all is a sweet message about manners, friendship, and being kind to others. A cute Halloween read with just the right amount of spooky!

About the Author

Please Don't Scare the Ghost is Carrie Williford’s picture book debut. She also writes for educational and consumer trade magazines published for young readers. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog.

About the Illustrator

Allysa Adams (pronounced a-LEES-a) has always loved making things. Her childhood was spent drawing, sculpting, and wandering the woods to collect bones and feathers and interesting rocks. After completing degrees in molecular biology and genetics, she became a dentist (she still is!), but found she needed more of an outlet for her creativity and has since pursued illustration as a second career. She is most drawn to projects that blend day-to-day reality with elements of surrealism and outright fantasy, and if left to her own devices, would doodle endless fantastical monsters. While not working, Allysa can be found exploring Pennsylvania with her husband, young daughter, and their poorly trained dog. They live in an old house, filled with bones and feathers and interesting rocks.

Halloween Trampoline by Scott Rothman, Illustrated by Rob Justus
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: July 14, 2026 

About the Book:

Halloween hijinks ensue when the monsters bring out their trampoline!

A rollicking rhyming text that features the monsters we all know and love as they carry out their favorite Halloween routine--jumping on their trampoline!

In the process, Vampire loses a fang while eating a tangerine and Werewolf howls at the moon while playing the tambourine. But the fun continues as they bounce high over pumpkin patches, haunted houses, and trick-or-treaters dressed nice and mean.

  

Review: This was a bright, colorful, and playful Halloween read. I enjoyed the rhyming scheme and the fun illustrations, and I have to admit, a trampoline was an interesting choice for a Halloween activity. I loved that all the characters were simply having a good time and doing their own thing on it. The story is definitely a bit nonsensical, but that’s also part of its charm. I think kids will enjoy the silliness and playful energy of it all. You might even feel a little bouncy yourself.

About the Author

Scott Rothman is a writer of kid's books, theater, screenplays, and humor pieces. Scott's debut picture book, Attack of the Underwear Dragon, and its sequel, Return of the Underwear Dragon were both national indie bestsellers. His other books include Warm and Fuzzy, Kittybunkport, Blue Bison Needs a Haircut, and Parfait, Not Parfait. Scott lives in Connecticut (of all places),where he recently bought a trampoline that he will put together sometime in the next ten to fifty years. He wishes all his readers the happiest of Halloweens.

About the Illustrator

Rob Justus is an award-winning author, illustrator, and graphic novelist. His graphic novel series, Death & Sparkles won a Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award in 2023. In 2022, Rob was selected as the illustrator for the prestigious TD Summer Reading Club in Canada. Prior to all this, Rob spent nearly a decade as a market researcher writing very bland reports. Taking a chance on himself, Rob decided to return to his childhood passion of drawing and storytelling and hasn't looked back. Rob has written and illustrated five picture books and two graphic novels. When Rob isn't telling people he draws awesome things for a living, he is wrangling his two young boys in Ottawa, Canada.
 

Gwei the Hungry Ghost by Emeline Lee, Illustrated by Basia Tran
Publisher: Kokila
Publication Date:  January 13, 2026 

About the Book: 

A picture book about a lonely ghost who learns to share and is finally fulfilled through friendship.

Gwei the ghost is absolutely famished, but unlike the other ghosts in the cemetery, he won’t eat just anything. Luckily, it’s Ghost Festival month: the one time a year when ghosts roam the realm of the living. Gwei flutters around the city eating steaming bowls of noodles, hot, hot, HOT chestnuts, and crispy fried fish with chili oil.

Yet no matter how much Gwei eats, his hunger won’t go away. As he searches for the perfect meal, he catches someone following him. It's another hungry little ghost! When he hears her grumbling belly, he reluctanctly reaches into his pouch to share. To his surprise, he finally starts to feels full.

With charming Chinese folklore-inspired text by Emeline Lee and warm, glowing illustrations by Basia Tran, Gwei the Hungry Ghost is a story about how friendship feeds the soul.

  

Review: 

I loved this one! Gwei is a hungry ghost who feels empty but can’t quite figure out why, and his journey to find something that will fill that emptiness takes him through a wonderfully colorful world of food stalls, friendship, and discovery. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, with so much detail and such a fun, atmospheric quality. I loved watching Gwei sample all the food and save some for later, only to discover that what he really needed wasn’t food at all.

At its heart, this is a sweet story about friendship, sharing, and healing. I also really appreciated the introduction to Asian mythology and legends. The glossary and definitions explaining the different types of ghosts were a wonderful touch and made the book feel like an opportunity to learn as well as enjoy the story. It’s so pretty, so fun, and filled with memorable ghost characters, but it’s definitely not a book that needs to be saved for spooky season!

About the Author

Emeline Lee is a writer of children's literature. With Gwei the Hungry Ghost, she celebrates her Chinese heritage and the folklore, traditions, and food of her ancestors. She is also the author of Bonnie's Rocket, a picture book inspired by her grandfather, an Apollo 11 engineer. Emeline’s favorite activities include hiking in the woods, eating hot pot, and crocheting cozy things. She lives in the New York metropolitan area.

About the Illustrator 

Basia Tran is a Polish-Vietnamese illustrator who shares her love of lore and laughter through graphite and pixels. She’s illustrated What's That? by Karen Chan and You're a Winner, Gracie Wei!

The Gingerbread Man: Trick-or-Treaters on the Loose by Laura Murray, Illustrated by Mike Lowery
Series: The Gingerbread Man Is Loose Graphic Novel Book 5
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication Date:  August 4, 2026 

About the Book:

It's Halloween and the Gingerbread Man can't wait to join his class in their celebrations. He even gets to make his very own costume and go trick-or-treating with friends after school! 

But when his bat costume catches the eye of a hungry owl, this smart cookie will have to do some quick thinking if he doesn't want to end up as a treat! 

The Gingerbread Man’s series of graphic novels—published in both hardcover and paperback editions—is ideal for first and second graders, full of the hilarious rhymes and action-packed escapades kids know and love from his picture books.

  

Review: 
This was such a cute and playful Halloween adventure for young readers! The graphic novel format uses big, colorful images and short sections of text, making it an approachable read. I loved seeing a classroom Gingerbread Man step outside of his usual fairy-tale setting and join in on all the Halloween fun. He plays games with the kids, gets creative making a costume, and even heads out for some trick-or-treating.

There’s a little adventure, some rhyming, plenty of humor, and lots of Halloween crafting along the way. I especially enjoyed the creativity that went into his costume and the way the story embraces the excitement of celebrating Halloween with friends. Young readers will likely enjoy the playful energy and familiar character in a completely new setting. A fun little Halloween read with a fresh twist on the Gingerbread Man!

About the Author

Laura Murray was a teacher before becoming a writer, and she has had to deal with many an escaped gingerbread man in her time.

About the Illustrator

Mike Lowery is an author and New York Times bestselling illustrator who has worked on dozens of books for kids. Some of his favorites are The Gingerbread Man is Loose series by Laura Murray, Mac B, Kid Spy series by Mac Barnett and the Everything Awesome series which he also wrote. He likes to collect weird facts and other bits of knowledge and he draws them every morning in his sketchbook.

Enjoyed these Halloween Books?

Another Halloween Round Up is Coming in October!

Early Reader Review: The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

The Faraway Forest: Hester’s Big Dream by Debbie Fong 

Series: The Faraway Forest
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: TODAY! September 15, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Welcome to The Faraway Forest, a graphic novel series for early readers about a magical woodland village that’s home to an assortment of adorable animal characters. Perfect for kids who love Animal Crossing!

Hester has just moved to the Faraway Forest. As a night owl, she loves to rise just as the sun sets, and she keeps herself busy all night with her hobbies: dancing, cooking, writing, and costume making. But Hester wonders if there are new friends to be made when the sun is out. Can she stay awake long enough to find out? Or will she discover there is more to the mysterious forest night than she imagines? Either way, Hester is definitely going to have an adventure!

For readers who love The Faraway Forest: Wally’s Route or anyone new to this lively illustrated series, good feelings and great fun await in this delightful story.

Review: 

Such a cozy and sweet graphic novel. We follow Hester, the owl, as she looks for friends. She has recently moved to Faraway Forest and since she is a night owl, she often only sees people when she is waking up and they are headed in for the night. 

The book has beautifully illustrated pages which feel whimsical and relaxing. The animal characters are also adorable. While it is in a series, this book can be read as a standalone and the graphic novel format give it extra appeal to reluctant readers. 

I liked the themes of friendship and trying new things in order to find friends. Hester goes through a few plans before finding her people and I liked that it showcased things not really working out on the first try but that she kept giving it a go. I also really liked all the extras that this book included. There were items in the beginning for each chapter so you could do a search and find along the way. Then at  the end there is a How to Draw Hester tutorial and a spot-the-differences page. 

I love graphic novels like this, it was pretty to look at, easy to read, and the story was cute and had good themes for younger readers. 

Recent Reads: Hellbound by Stephanie Binx

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Hellbound by Stephanie Binx

Publisher: Alcove Press
Publication Date:  August 25, 2026

 

Format: Physical ARC

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Dying is all in a day’s work for a Hell-diver like Marian—until a routine round-trip to the afterlife goes wrong—for fans of The Wren in the Holly Library and TV’s Lucifer.

Hell is empty, and all the devils are here, but nobody knows why—not even the devils themselves. Now, sadistic demons roam the earth, offering small fortunes to any mortal sucker dumb or desperate enough to die on their behalf as they retrieve artifacts from a Hell they can’t recall. Washed-up journalist Marian Meyer is one of those mortal suckers dying for a living as she fetches clues for a demonic puzzle that she doesn’t care to solve.

Riddled with debt she'll never be able to pay off and guilt over her mother's death, Marian made her first lucrative deal with a demon and never looked back. Never mind that being a Hell-diver means that she must voluntarily drown herself—or that the human body wasn’t meant to die more than once—and she’s definitely feeling it.

Unfortunately, the last time Marian went to Hell, she came back wrong. Memories of that night are missing, and she'll do anything she can to find them, including teaming up with one of her mysterious (and oddly alluring) demonic patrons, Mr. Vale. But when their tenuous alliance thrusts Marian even deeper into a world of betrayal, humans with strange powers, and demonic politics, she’ll have to decide if allying with Mr. Vale is her ticket to freedom or damnation in disguise.

One part slow-burn romance and one part acerbic wit, Hellbound is a dark, romantic contemporary fantasy perfect for readers who prefer their casts morally grey and the stakes sky-high.

Review: 
Such a fun spooky-season read. 

Marian is a Hell diver, she can die and go to Hell, retrieve items then be brought back to life in the moral realm.  Interestingly,  Hell is empty and all the Demons live in the mortal world. They are the ones that are paying her to retrieve various things that might in some way help them return. When Mr. Vale asks her to dive for a key, Marian is cautious but needs the money, so she takes the chance, coming home with something far more weird than a key she is thrust into this world more that she ever imagines she would be. 

When Mr. Vale asks Marian to dive for a key, she’s understandably cautious, but she needs the money, so she takes the chance. Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. Marian comes home with something far stranger than a key, and suddenly she finds herself pulled into a world of secrets, demons, and chaos far beyond anything she could have imagined.

Marian was a really solid FMC. I liked that she was just as confused by everything happening around her as the reader was at times, because it made the whole experience feel even more eerie and unpredictable. There were definitely moments where I was right there with her trying to figure out what the hell was going on. I think that uncertainty worked really well with the spooky, horror, and paranormal elements of the story.

One thing I especially appreciated was how the author portrayed depression and anxiety. It felt very real and, at times, painfully relatable. Even something as simple as Marian struggling to shower was included, and while some readers might find that detail a little gross, I actually appreciated it. When you're dealing with mental health struggles, getting in the shower really can feel like A TASK. Sometimes the smallest, most basic things require an enormous amount of energy, and I thought the author captured that reality really well without making it feel overly dramatic or romanticized.

The cast of characters also kept things interesting. There was a good variety of personalities, motivations, and general weirdness, and I enjoyed seeing how everyone fit into the larger story. Between the characters, the twists and turns, and the general chaos of the plot, this ended up being a pretty quick and entertaining read.

Overall, this was a fun, creepy, chaotic paranormal read with an interesting premise, a likable FMC, and plenty of twists to keep things moving. It wasn't a perfect read for me, but I had a good time with it, and I think it would be a great pick for anyone looking for something weird, spooky, and a little unhinged this time of year.

Early Reader Review: The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgioc

Source: From the Publisher and Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Night by Mariachiara Di Giorgio 

Publisher: NorthSouth Books
Publication Date:  September 15, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:

Synopsis: 

It’s a classically rainy night at home with the babysitter, and two siblings are itching for a little nighttime adventure. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm’s fairy tale Hansel and Gretel, the siblings sneak out of the house and into the inky night.

Unlike the well-known fairy tale, the siblings's nighttime romp through the woods is full of wonder and fun, even a new friend! Their magical friend guides the duo across streams and through open fields, not unlike the fauns of Greek mythology, to partake in the splendor of the night. And as the moon gives way to sun, so is it time for the kids to return home where beds—and Mom!—wait.

Mariachiara Di Giorgio’s lushly illustrated, wordless tale is akin to a modern-day fairy tale and perfect for reading on the darkest of nights. After all, there is so much beauty to discover hidden in the darkness. What will you find?

Review: 

This was an illustrated children's book with no text. Readers have to interpret the story which is a bit odd and confusing. The illustration is eerie and unsettling but represents the dark scary night well. It has a fantastical vibe and definitely shows that Hansel and Gretel inspiration. 

Two kids are left with a babysitter (but she feels like a grandmother or witch too). At bedtime they run into the night for adventure or to find their mother, and odd creatures and plants appear for them, they take a rest in a cave, meet a stranger...they certainly had an adventure. 

I am not sure that younger audiences will get it. Honestly, I was a bit confused and it took reading the synopsis for more insight. 

Without any text, you are left with the illustration to get you through. It was a mix of dark tones showcasing the night which gave the sense of scary/ alone feelings but also this 'you will be fine' feeling somehow without much explanation. Illustrations were great with the theme and use of darks with pops of color that were light and shone brightly in the images. 

Overall, it was visually appealing but the story was confusing. 

Early Reader Review: Fire Power by Mir Benitz

Source: From Netgalley and the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Fire Power by Mir Benitz 
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Publication Date:  September 1, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Fourth Wing meets Formula One in this enemies-to-lovers sports romantasy about a stubbornly ambitious dragon rider who goes up against her childhood friend turned racing rival in the ultimate dragon race.

The Silverscale Grand Prix is the national championship of dragon racing—a high-speed, often deadly, elite sport with an unimaginably big cash prize. 

Asta and her dragon Carmine are unlikely competitors. No sponsors, no high-tech gear, no fans out in the stands. Not to mention that a female rider hasn't won the Prix for nearly sixty years. The odds are stacked against them—but Asta is determined to prove everyone the training school that kicked her out for fighting a classmate, her family who wished she'd never left the farm, and, most of all, her infuriatingly arrogant childhood-best-friend-turned-rival Felix, the poster-boy heir to the Seraphin racing dynasty and reigning tournament champion.

Raw talent alone won't be enough to get Asta and Carmine through these races—and it soon becomes clear that the risks Asta has taken to get to Silverscale could have devastating consequences. Time to think fast, or die trying.

Review: 

I was so excited to get this book for review, I have been loving F1 and the description pulled me in. Sadly, I found the book just ok, which is a bummer. 

The story follows Asta, a dragon rider headed for Silverscale. She’s worked her way up from farm life to racing and is determined to win. While there, she reconnects with her former neighbor and rival, Felix, while also getting pulled into some shady dealings with people who want her help during the race.

Asta is our FMC, determined and stubborn, which are usually traits I enjoy in a character, but she often acts like she is much younger than she is with her dialogue and behavior. Felix, the MMC and golden-boy rival, felt somewhat oblivious, which I think was partly because of his privilege. Nat, a side character and love interest, was easily my favorite. She was mouthy and rude, but her attitude added a lot of fun to the story.

I enjoyed the race descriptions, but the racing itself felt like an odd mix of horse racing and Formula 1 without fully committing to either. I couldn’t quite grasp the mechanics of dragon racing, and the world surrounding the races was barely described beyond the track itself.

The character relationships were another weak point for me. This was marketed as a romantasy, so I expected more development in the romantic relationships, but they felt fairly shallow. Asta and Felix especially read like they were having a high school breakup every time they interacted. Asta’s constant insistence that she had done everything completely on her own also started to get annoying. Yes, she worked hard to make it to the championship, but Felix’s family gave her a dragon and allowed her to start riding in the first place...on their dragons. Her success is absolutely her own accomplishment, but I wish the story acknowledged the privilege and help she had along the way that was less whiney. 

Overall, I think the book had an interesting premise, but the execution didn’t quite work for me. I liked Nat, Asta was okay but sometimes whiny, and Felix was a fairly forgettable MMC. While there were some spicy scenes, the rest of the book read more like a Young Adult romantasy than an adult one. 

Recent Reads: When the Witch Wrote Back by Nathan Christopher

Source: From Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

When the Witch Wrote Back by Nathan Christopher, Illustrated by
Pablo Pino
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Publication Date:  July 28, 2026

 

Format: Ebook


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Trick or Treat! Experience the magic of Halloween as never before with this picture book packed with spooky fun and a meaningful lesson, perfect for kids ages 4-10!

A new neighbor has moved in next door, and Jake is pretty sure that only one kind of neighbor would be unpacking a cauldron, a broomstick, and a black cat. Then Jake gets an idea…who better to help him plan, prepare, and clean for his big upcoming Halloween party?! When he writes letters to The Witch requesting magic to save him from doing his chores, will Jake get all that he hopes for? Or will the Witch use her powers to teach him a valuable lesson in this delightfully charming story about the Halloween…when the Witch wrote back!

With clever and fun-to-read rhymes as well as engaging art, hilarious fall fun, and an important message of putting in the hard work, When the Witch Wrote Back! is the perfect Halloween gift or boo basket stuffer for kids! Complete with a bonus spread of tips from Jake on how to have a happy Halloween, this story is the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season! 

Dear Witch,

You think you can fool me, but I've seen the proof

• Your chimney pours potions all over your roof, 
• Your mailbox is barking and chasing a mouse, 
• And some sorta goblins are painting your house! 

You might as well help me! Let's whip up a spell

To clean up my clothing, take care of that smell,

Then hang decorations. How long will that take?

My parents might cancel the party!

From Jake

Review: 

I absolutely loved this one! 

From the first pages, I was obsessed with the illustrations. The artwork is so detailed, and there are so many little things to find (I could honestly stare at each page forever). The colors are bright and things seem to be glowing, and the whole book has such a fun, magical Halloween vibe.

Jake needs help cleaning his room before his Halloween party, and when a new neighbor moves in next door with a cauldron, broomstick, and black cat, Jake is pretty sure she's a witch. Naturally, he decides she's exactly who he needs to help him get everything done!

I loved that Jake wasn't scared of the Witch at all. Instead, he asks for help - "You're a witch? Great! Can you help me?" The Witch tries to help, but Jake keeps taking shortcuts and not quite following her instructions, and somehow every attempt leaves him with an even bigger mess.

It was so funny and playful, and I really enjoyed watching everything go completely wrong. The rhymes were fun to read, too. I also really loved the message about putting in the work instead of always looking for the easiest way out. It was a great lesson for kids without feeling overly nagging about it.

This was such a cute and fun Halloween read! I loved the artwork, the humor, the Halloween magic, and Jake's whole attitude toward the Witch. Definitely one I'd recommend for a spooky-season read!

Early Reader Review: Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads by Bret Shuford

Source: From the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Good Night, Break a Leg: Life with Broadway Dads by Bret Shuford,  Illustrated by Elena Hager
Publisher: Penguin Workshop
Publication Date:  September 8, 2026

 

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Leap, soar, and dance into the joyous life of a little boy whose dads are dazzling Broadway performers in this lyrical, rhyming picture book from one of Instagram and TikTok's Broadway Husbands.

Where do parents go when they walk out the door for work?

In this charming, vibrant picture book, a little boy's dads have a very special job—they're Broadway performers! 

By day, these two are like any other parents. They do the dishes, help with chores, and give lots of hugs and kisses. But by night, they take to the stage, donning elaborate costumes and dancing for thousands of theatergoers.

From Bret Shuford, Broadway dancer and cocreator of the social media sensation Broadway Husbands, this sweet story is a love letter to the theater and an ode to parents who do it all. Perfect for theater-loving families, aspiring young performers, and anyone who believes in the magic of being yourself, this heartwarming book is a celebration of family, creativity, and unconditional love.

Review: 

This book ... was SO heartfelt and cute. 

A story for young listeners or readers about dads heading to work at night to perform. A bit of an unconventional job but they love their little kid and always try to say good night. 

This was a cute story with a rhyming scheme. The illustration were so perfect! Vibrant, fun, and entertaining they showed people in costumes and Broadway and musicals. The best was that there were little Easter-eggs throughout plays on words for plays and musicals, like THAWED (in the font of Frozen),  SPAMilton (a combo of Spamalot and Hamilton?). It was all just so joyous and playful. I couldn't stop smiling.

The best part were the overall themes - this book showcases love, unconventional jobs, support of dreams, and a beautiful family. 

I think this will be a great book for any families library...and we will all be jealous of how cool this kid's dads are. 

Recent Reads: Whale, That Was Unexpected by Casey Lyall,

Source: From Librarything Early Reviews program in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

Whale, That Was Unexpected by Casey Lyall, Illustrated by Kathryn Durst

Publisher: Tundra Books

Publication Date:  June 30, 2026 

 

Format: Hardback

Rating:

Synopsis: 

Stoic seafarer Maude and her canine sidekick Claude head out to fish as they have done every day for many years. But this time, something unexpected happens. (Maude hates it when something unexpected happens.)

They get swallowed by a whale. What does one do when one is swallowed by a whale? Throw a farewell party, I guess. (Maude loves a good party.)

Hilarity ensues as more and more creatures get swallowed and Maude has to keep changing her party plans. (Maude does not love crowds.)

Will Maude and the whale part ways, or is this the end? (Maude would prefer it if we could hurry this up.)

Okay, okay. Read on to find out.

Review: 

Old Maude is a bit of a grump, and she heads out on her boat with her dog, Claude. Unfortunately, their normal outing takes an unexpected turn when they are eaten by a whale. Once they find themselves inside the whale, they decide there’s really only one thing to do: have a farewell party. Of course, things don’t go quite as planned. More and more animals crash their goodbye plans, forcing Maude and Claude to start the party over a few times.

Such a cute and silly book! It’s definitely a little macabre in the sense that the story revolves around the possibility of Maude and Claude dying inside a whale, but somehow it manages to make the whole situation feel playful and fun rather than scary. The rhyming scheme is especially enjoyable, and I think reading it aloud and gradually picking up the pace would make it even more entertaining for young readers. There’s a great rhythm to the story that feels like it would lend itself really well to an animated, energetic read-aloud.

My favorite part, though, was the breaking of the 4th wall. Maude and the narrator actually talk to each other, which adds a fun layer of humor and gives readers another reason to giggle. 

Overall, this is a quirky, funny story. It has just enough silliness and dark humor to make it memorable, and I think it would be especially fun to share as a read-aloud.