The Best Halloween of All [Hardcover]

Susan Wojciechowski (Author), Susan Meddaugh (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2, 1998 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A young boy recalls all the Halloween costume agonies he's been through, until, at last, he gets to do things his own way!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-This breezy update of Wojciechowski's 1992 title (Crown) features a more direct narrative voice as well as a few new illustrations. There's a lot more dialogue, especially between narrator Ben and his older brother Michael, and the text appears to be hand printed, allowing certain words and phrases to be emphasized (via slightly larger and darker letters) just as they might be in conversation. The story remains the same, however, with Ben cataloging the inventive costumes created by his parents and, finally declaring his independence by designing his own (much simpler) one. The illustrations are also very close to the originals, though it appears that some pictures and the overall page size are slightly larger. This creates a less text-heavy look, making the new version more inviting and accessible. The added pictures fit seamlessly into the story, expanding the humor and adding to the fun. Even libraries that own the previous edition will want to consider purchasing a few new copies of this charming Halloween treat.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-7. First published in 1992, this amusing picture book concerns a boy whose Halloween costumes, all cheerfully made by Mom and Dad, have led to holiday after holiday of embarrassment and physical discomfort. Now seven years old, the young narrator takes matters into his own hands and fashions a costume that suits him better. Apart from some changes in typography and in the size, positioning, and backgrounds of illustrations, the book's most noticeable difference is the text, now tightened and rewritten to bring out the humor. A fresh version of a holiday read-aloud treat. Carolyn Phelan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 2 edition (September 2, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763604585
• ISBN-13: 978-0763604585
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,122,528 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun story, June 21, 2010

By 

microjoe - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Best Halloween of All (Paperback)

Every year Michael and his little brother Ben have a costume made for them by their mom. They are nice costumes, well made, but no one ever asks Ben what he wants to be for Halloween. His mom and dad decide, and that it. One year, Ben has had enough and announeces he is choosing his own character and making his own costuem. For him it tuns out to be the best Halloween ever.

The costumes are very cute and imaginative, and you could probably recreate may of the good ideas in the book. As a former Cub Scout leader, I always tried to get our boys to go home-made rather than store bought with their costumes.

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Do you know your children's wish?, December 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Best Halloween of All (Hardcover)

Parents always want to help with their children's Halloween Costumes. But it's not for children. It's just hfor parent's fun. Parents' wishes are differnet from children's wishes. And this book gave measome ideas for Halloween,too.