? Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown (NY, Simon & Schuster) $19.99
WHO would have thought that eating a common vegetable could lead to dire consequences?
Jasper Rabbit certainly didn't when he snitched the fat, crisp carrots from Crackenhopper Field as often as possible. Creepy Carrots, which describes these dastardly deeds, is a funny picture book that will please young readers at Halloween and at every other season of the year. Jasper is unrepentant until he notices that somebody (or something) is following him. He hears the "soft ... sinister ... tunktunktunk of carrots creeping" and the reader sees extremely enraged carrots closing in on an unsuspecting Jasper. Jasper becomes paranoid as the carrots intrude on his home life and eventually he hears them while brushing his teeth, at bedtime and, well, basically everywhere.
His helpful parents try to show him that he is safe and that the carrots are not going to catch him but Jasper is not happy until he hits upon a plan to solve the problem once and for all. He does not know that the carrots have a hidden agenda and that they, rather than Jasper, will win this war!
Dark grey pages in an oversize format highlight the angry orange carrots as they singlemindedly attempt to mess with Jasper's mind. The carrots have lots of personality thanks to the clever art of Peter Brown. Even the endpaper illustrations bear out the plot with angry carrots at the front of the books and happy and satisfied carrots at the end. Jasper is a resourceful if fearful rabbit and his idea of how to solve his problem saves the day for both him and the carrots leading to a most satisfying conclusion. The wonderfully goofy humour and supposedly scary art contribute to a great holiday read for the picture book crowd.
Some other recent picture book or board book titles that are great for Halloween are as follows:
? The Boo Book by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer,
? Boo Bunny by Kathryn O. Galbraith (board book),
? Boo to You by Lois Ehlert (board book),
? Even Aliens need snacks by Matthew McElligott,
? Frankenstein: a monstrous parody by Ludworst Bemonster,
? Just say Boo by Susan Hood,
? The Monsters' Monster by Patrick McDonnell,
? My First Ghost by Maggie Miller,
? Ready for Pumpkins by Kate Duke, and
? Trick or Treat by Leo Landry.
Fran Ashdown worked for many years as the children's librarian at the Capilano branch of the North Vancouver District Public Library. She is pretty sure she is being stalked by celery! For more information check your North Shore libraries.
