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Stink would have preferred a trip to James Madison’s home but is happy when his parents win a sleepover at the aquarium. At the aquarium, Stink likes learning about sharks and other creatures but he still finds it kind of creepy. Share the evening with Stink and his family, learning and laughing.

Bogle-catching in Victorian England is comes alive in this deliciously spooky tale effectively presented in an accented voice and a capella singing.

The first in the Accelerati Trilogy, 14-year old Nick, his younger brother and his father have moved from Tampa (FL) to a ramshackle Victorian house in Colorado Springs. Peculiar things happen when items from the attic are sold. Could they really be inventions from inventor Nicola Tesla? Intrigue with plenty of humor and likeable characters in a fast-pace will leave readers awaiting the next book.

What happens if you push the red button? The monster changes color! Curious young readers will enjoy the results of pushing the forbidden buttons of the benign looking purple monster. Even a two-dimensional button will generate silly play in this simple tale.

Niño, the Boy, clad in underwear, dons the traditional mask of luchadores to cleverly beat opponents from Mexican lore. Spanish words are included in the bold, colorful design of this appealing book with its surprise ending. End pages provide pronunciation and information on the Spanish language.

Katy’s adventure begins on a rainy day with her friend, Louise, when Katy wonders why her Aunt Martha left things hidden — and locked — in Katy’s room. Modern classics, these gentle fantasies have been made available again to delight contemporary readers.

A group of movie-making monsters introduce the concepts needed to make a 3-dimensional film: width, height, depth. Related ideas and vocabulary follow (e.g., circumference, area, etc.) also presented with the same light touch. Flat, silly-but-colorful monsters lead the exploration to its conclusion.

In 1741, mean-hearted John Leep set out to evict a tenant on Friday, October 13th on a cold and very dark evening. As Leep clip-clops to the widow’s house on his horse, hoof beats are matched by an unseen rider to and from the house. Dark, dramatic illustrations enhance the truly spooky story with an unexpected ending sure to make readers or listeners jump.

Lazlo is afraid of the dark but gets unexpected help from The Dark when his nightlight goes out. Illustrations enhance the tension as Lazlo slices through inky night to overcome his fear and find a replacement bulb. And the dark isn’t so frightening any longer.

When Quincy leaves her tour of the White House, she sees a tall man standing over the Gettysburg Address. Quincy shares jokes with the ghost and helps him realize that the states are indeed united. The tall, pale ghost of Abe Lincoln can now rest easy.

Señor Calvera is back! This time, he is looking forward to Grandma Beetle’s birthday party — but he can’t figure out what gift to give her. He consults with Zelmiro the Ghost and chooses one gift for every letter of the alphabet: acordéon, bigotes, cosquillas (accordian, moustaches, and tickles). It isn’t until he reaches the letter Z, however, that Señor Calvera finds the best gift of all for Grandma Beetle.

Grouch, Grump, and two-headed little Gloom ‘n’ Doom — three crabby monsters — tried to create the “biggest, baddest monster EVER!” When the huge monster comes alive his first words are “Dank you!” causing the cantankerous little monsters to succumb to his kind ways. Cartoon line and wash illustrations and understated text present a pleasing monster saga.

Madcap illustrations bring hilarious new life to the 1962 song, “Monster Mash.” It all begins with a bulbous scientist “working in the lab late one night” when his monster arose from his slab and begins to dance the monster mash. Other monsters — and finally two human children — join the green Frankenstein-like critter for colorful, frenzied fun.

On Halloween night, children dress up in costumes to go trick or treating. Young children will enjoy guessing what outfit the child is donning, beginning with a rhyming clue which is solved with a turn of the page. Cozy illustrations are just right for this not-very-scary Halloween tale, sure to engage younger children.

A trick-or-treater leaves the city for a forest of bones and a deliciously creepy Halloween adventure. No number of skeletons can scare this child who shakes his own bones and is rewarded after he chants, “Trick or treat! Smell my feet! Give me something good to eat!” Lively illustration adds detail to the rhythmic text, ideal for reading aloud.

Nothing suggests Halloween like a picture of a fierce or funny Jack-o-lantern, a sky full of bats or ghosts. What would a Halloween night be without a witch, a haunted house or a graveyard? Readers can create these and other signs of the celebration line by line, perhaps individualize them, and read other “spook-tacular books”.

This silly-spooky parody of Ludwig Bemelman’s Madeline (opens in a new window) emulates the original’s cadence, storyline and illustration but with a decidedly Halloween-y twist. It begins, “In a creepy old castle/all covered in spines/lived twelve ugly monsters in two crooked lines… The ugliest one was Frankenstein.” It is sure to amuse even those not familiar with the original.

Mice prepare to celebrate Halloween, first by finding pumpkins, using them for decorations, and finally unveiling a huge Jack-o-lantern! Festive illustrations on sturdy pages encourage close examination and active participation as children lift flaps to reveal hidden surprises.

Boo, the smallest in his ghost family, enjoys the first time he’s allowed to stay up late whistling a “happy-ghost-lucky time.” He doesn’t think he can sleep until his wise mother helps him listen for comfy night sounds. Soft lines and gentle forms illustrate the gently rhyming onomatopoetic language for a mellow, non-scary Halloween story for younger children.

Autumn is a season during which there are many changes: leaves turn colors, air becomes cooler, and crops are harvested. These and more seasonal signals are presented in conversational language and vivid photographs. Easy-to-do autumn activities conclude this attractive and appealing book.

Jeremy preferred no disturbances when he was drawing but the unexpected return of his blue monster causes Jeremy to think of a creative and highly satisfying solution. Similar in style to Jeremy Draws a Monster (opens in a new window), this stand-alone is equally enjoyable.

Mysterious, humorously spooky illustrations and easy, engaging text demystifies the mystery of basic algebra, further clarified by a suggested activity.

This compelling photo essay from George Ancona follows the preparations of young Pablo and his family for the Day of the Dead as they remember Pablo’s grandmother. Ancona’s photos cover a wide range of the family’s activities, from a trip to the market to the family altar overflowing with marigolds. Ancona offers readers an authentic glimpse of daily life in Oaxaca, Mexico, as well as a sense of the love and care with which the family prepares for the celebration. Spanish version available.

Mr. and Mrs. Noodleman, new to Chicken Noodle Farm and their 552 chickens, begin their egg business. They soon discover, however, that their henhouse is haunted. The not-so-scary ghost helps the couple solve a mystery in this funny, slightly wacky tale.