Customer Reviews

Bunnicula-in-a-Box: Bunnicula, The Celery Stalks at Midnight, Howliday Inn

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

These books have been around since I was a kid, and I am thrilled that my nine year old is now enjoying reading them. He can't seem to put them down and even when not reading, he tells me in great detail about what he's read. He has piqued my interest again, and I seriously think I am due a re-reading of these fabulous tales!

This is a great series incorporating many elements that children love: animals (specifically family pets), mystery, excitement, comedy, and a vocabulary that will challenge them, but not frustrate them. I loved them as a child, myself, and have given them to my niece now.

Before Harry Potter - there was Bunnicula!! The only childhood memory I have of reading a book - and still being able to recall the characters and story. This is a wonderful treasure for all. You won't regret it!

As a child I absolutely HATED reading, but this was the one series that I did enjoy. It basically opened up the world of reading to me, and it is a wonderful story with great characters. I recommend this book to anyone, young or old! :-D

YES! I loved Bunnicula as a kid! I read them over and over in grade school. It's good to read them again, and know that they're still just as good now.


BUNNICULA by Deborah & James Howe

Harold is the family dog, as well as the "author" of the stories. He lives in a comfortable home with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons, and Chester the cat. One night, the Monroe family goes to the movies, and brings back a little surprise. It's a rabbit that one of the Monroe boys found on his seat. Well, actually, he nearly sat on it. After much debate they decide to name him Bunnicula, since the movie they were seeing was Dracula. Howard finds him slightly boring; all he does is sleep. Chester, however, has a bad feeling about the little bunny. Especially once Chester realizes that Bunnicula is only awake during the day, and it appears that he may have fangs. When weird things start happening to the vegetables, Chester decides to take action.

HOWLIDAY INN by James Howe

When the Monroe's go on vacation, Harold and Chester are sent to board at Chateau Bow Wow. The other animals are more than a little odd, and the staff is even weirder. The first night they are kept awake by a strange howling noise. Chester is convinced that it's werewolves, and that something very bad is happening. Harold brushes it off as Chester being paranoid as usual. Until animals start disappearing, and Chester is one of them. Now Harold has to figure out what's going on all by himself. Chester's life may depend on it.

THE CELERY STALKS AT MIDNIGHT by James Howe

Back at home with the Monroe's, Harold, Chester, Bunnicula, and Howie, the family's newest addition, are settling back into life as usual. But odd things are happening to the vegetables again. When Bunnicula goes missing, the other animals know they have to take action. Harold wants to save Bunnicula from whatever fate may await him in the outside world. Chester wants to save the vegetables from being sucked dry, and has visions of a world full of zombie vegetables. Howie, well, he's along for the adventure, just like us.


Did I mention already how much I love these books?! I'm so happy they've been re-released, in a set no less, so that a new generation of kids can discover them. Apparently there are four more books in the series, and four in a BUNNICULA AND FRIENDS series. I can't wait to get a look at them!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

BUNNICULA - Harold the dog and Chester the cat think that they're in for a relaxing night by the fireplace, sheltered from the rain pelting the windows outside, when they are most rudely interrupted by the beloved Monroe family (Mom and Dad Monroe, and their two sons, Toby and Pete). Sure, the Monroe's are wonderful people, but everyone knows that when a dog and a cat have finally settled down and gotten comfortable for the night, it is extremely rude to disturb them. Especially when what you're disturbing them with is an unexpected addition to the family in the form of a rabbit with fangs. Who just so happens to have black and white markings that resemble a cape, and who, oddly enough, was found at a Dracula movie. The family soon names the little bunny Bunnicula - combing the words Dracula and bunny to come up with something extremely ridiculous - and give him a home in a cozy cage, where he receives crispy vegetables everyday. However, Chester knows that there is something very peculiar about this particular rabbit. Not only is he nocturnal, spending each and every daylight hour fast asleep, and waking only once the moon is in the sky; but ever since Bunnicula arrived, all of the vegetables in the house - even the ones in the refrigerator - have begun turning white, the victim of having had their juices sucked out of them, much like the way Dracula sucks the blood out of his victims. Of course, Chester is the only one who seems to notice these occurrences, for not only is he well-read, he's taken on the personality of Sherlock Holmes, and is determined to get to the bottom of this mystery, even if it kills him, or lands him in the doghouse. 5 stars.

HOWLIDAY INN - Pete and Toby Monroe, along with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, are going on vacation, and, thanks to Harold's tendency to get carsick, they have decided to leave both him, and Chester at Chateau Bow-Wow, a supposed four-star hotel for dogs and cats. It seems like a boring place to Harold and Chester, until the first night, when they are trying to get some sleep, and they hear a horrendous howling, causing Chester to rename Chateau Bow-Wow, Howliday Inn. Chester becomes convinced almost instantly that there are werewolves among them at the hotel, and begins investigating. But pretty soon Harold and Chester have even more to investigate, because animals begin disappearing, and there are rumors of murder spreading around. Now it's up to Chester and Harold to solve the case, before their check-out time from Howliday Inn comes sooner than expected. 5 stars.

THE CELERY STALKS AT MIDNIGHT - Harold thought that all of Chester's fears and concerns regarding Bunnicula and the fact that he was a vampire ended long ago, when he was placed on a liquid diet of vegetable juice. But, when Bunnicula disappears from his cage, and Chester begins locating various pieces of vegetables that have been drained of their juices, and have turned completely white, he puts on his detective hat once more, and begins investigating the mysterious occurrences. Of course, this time there are some differences involving his investigation. One, he has lost all track of Bunnicula, and can't find him anywhere, no matter how hard he looks. And, even worse, the Monroes seem to be oblivious to the fact that the freaky-deaky rabbit has disappeared from his cage, and won't listen to Chester's cries of concern for the MIA bunny; and two, this time, Chester doesn't have just Harold as his sidekick in his quest for justice, he also has Howie, the Monroes new dachshund puppy who happens to have a howl that could wake the dead, and a wish to be Chester's very own son. While Howie could easily get on Chester's nerves, he's taking the little guys affections in stride, and using them in an attempt to get Howie to side with him and his thoughts on little Bunnicula, as opposed to following the lead of the disbelieving Harold, who wants nothing more than to think the best of the little guy. As Chester, Harold, and Howie begin their search, they find themselves in the throes of a town filled with white vegetables. White vegetables that they are staking with toothpicks, to prevent them from coming to life and following Bunnicula's vegetable-draining ways. However, as the three siblings cavort and romp through various backyards and homes to locate Bunnicula, they encounter an array of animals who are interested in one thing: taking them down. 5 stars.

Chester and Harold won me over when I discovered HOWLIDAY INN a few years ago. So when I learned about the release of BUNNICULA-IN-A-BOX, I knew that I had to purchase the set - now I'm glad that I did. While HOWLIDAY INN featured Harold and Chester, Bunnicula wasn't mentioned, so it was an interesting to have the opportunity to discover more about his character - just in time to read THE CELERY STALKS AT MIDNIGHT. Each installment in this three-book set introduces readers to new animals, from Bunnicula the vampire bunny, to Howie - a howling dachshund - to the lovable Harold and Chester, which make it absolutely impossible for readers to resist. James Howe proves his writing skills with this series, and gives readers the opportunity to discover his wit and charm - along with his slightly neurotic characters - making him a household name, and a force to be reckoned with in the world of children's literature. Reluctant readers will grapple to get ahold of these delightful books, and find themselves unable to put them down until the last page is turned. Hold on to your seats - the Monroe pets are about to take you on a bumpy ride!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

YES! I loved Bunnicula as a kid! I read them over and over in grade school. It's good to read them again, and know that they're still just as good now.


BUNNICULA by Deborah & James Howe

Harold is the family dog, as well as the "author" of the stories. He lives in a comfortable home with Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, their two sons, and Chester the cat. One night, the Monroe family goes to the movies, and brings back a little surprise. It's a rabbit that one of the Monroe boys found on his seat. Well, actually, he nearly sat on it. After much debate they decide to name him Bunnicula, since the movie they were seeing was Dracula. Howard finds him slightly boring; all he does is sleep. Chester, however, has a bad feeling about the little bunny. Especially once Chester realizes that Bunnicula is only awake during the day, and it appears that he may have fangs. When weird things start happening to the vegetables, Chester decides to take action.

HOWLIDAY INN by James Howe

When the Monroe's go on vacation, Harold and Chester are sent to board at Chateau Bow Wow. The other animals are more than a little odd, and the staff is even weirder. The first night they are kept awake by a strange howling noise. Chester is convinced that it's werewolves, and that something very bad is happening. Harold brushes it off as Chester being paranoid as usual. Until animals start disappearing, and Chester is one of them. Now Harold has to figure out what's going on all by himself. Chester's life may depend on it.

THE CELERY STALKS AT MIDNIGHT by James Howe

Back at home with the Monroe's, Harold, Chester, Bunnicula, and Howie, the family's newest addition, are settling back into life as usual. But odd things are happening to the vegetables again. When Bunnicula goes missing, the other animals know they have to take action. Harold wants to save Bunnicula from whatever fate may await him in the outside world. Chester wants to save the vegetables from being sucked dry, and has visions of a world full of zombie vegetables. Howie, well, he's along for the adventure, just like us.


Did I mention already how much I love these books?! I'm so happy they've been re-released, in a set no less, so that a new generation of kids can discover them. Apparently there are four more books in the series, and four in a BUNNICULA AND FRIENDS series. I can't wait to get a look at them!

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

My daughter loves these books! They are very, very funny. We were laughing so much reading these together. My kids love books told from the viewpoint of an animal.

This is a great introduction to the world of Bunnicula. I read them growing up, and purchased these for my nephew. Slipcases are more trouble than alot of kids want, but it makes it feel like a nice purchase for the adult paying for it.

I ordered a 3 book set and when it arrived, 2 of the books were wrong. I emailed them, and about a week later, they responed. They were very nice and explained that they were out of the item, gave me a FULL money refund and said I could keep the books that came. So even though I did not get what I orderd, things worked out in the end...I guess.