Halloween ABC [Paperback]

Eve Merriam (Author), Lane Smith (Illustrator)

Book Description

32 pp. Pub: 9/95.Award-winning poet Eve Merriam conjures up 26 titillating and teasing Halloween poems, one for each letter of the alphabet, accompanied by the delightfully wicked illustrations of Lane Smith. "Elegant in design, precise in image . . . with appeal for any age that enjoys the macabre side of Halloween".--pointer, Kirkus. Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Award-winner Merriam slips on a Gothic cloak and mask to titillate and tease with 26 varied Halloween poems, highlighting all letters of the alphabet, that playfully and ironically address readers. The book offers "guises, disguises, all kinds of surprises" in fresh, original creations. In prominently musical and rhythmic verse, the versatile poet invites kids to wrinkle their noses, squeeze crow's feet into the corners of their eyes and smile knowingly. Illustrator Smith is a perfect accomplice with his wickedly eerie paintings of squat goblins and yellow-eyed witches, tattered umbrellas and other bedeviled images. Ages 5-up.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

K Up These 26 Halloween poems, one for each letter of the alphabet, are, like most of Merriam's work, imaginative, inventive, and playful. Her unusual rhythms, rhythmic schemes, and twists of word or image are often humorous as well as seasonally spooky. For instance, the letter ``P'' is represented by ``a pet that's not the least bit vicious,/ yet finds the neighbors quite nutritious.'' Smith's dark oil paintings on ecru pages match both the mood and the wit of the poems. They are appropriately primitive in style, clever, gently frightening, and often truly funny. The capital letters on each page are integrated into the pictures, made of sticks or bones or bat wings or an animal's tail. This is not a book for young children to learn the alphabet, but it is a witty, whimsical, and happily shivery book for Halloween sharing. It is also a wonderful book for monster- and horror-loving youngsters at any time of the year and a diabolic way for poetry-loving adults to introduce the work of one of our best contemporary poets who elsewhere reminds children that It Doesn't Always Have to Rhyme (Atheneum, 1964; o.p.). Most children will first need to hear these poems read aloud, but then independent readers will return to them on their own. A book that is sure to cast a spell on readers who are bewitched by the skillful use of language. Kay E. Vandergrift, School of Communication, Information and Library Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 068980198X
• ISBN-13: 978-0689801983
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,757,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oldsters Only?, September 30, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Halloween ABC (Paperback)

I'm in high school now, and my interest in things like the banning of books caused me to research the most COMMONLY banned or challenged books. I was shocked to see 'Halloween ABC' on the list. I remembered the book, so I checked around to make sure it was the same one. Coming across this website, I read people's various reviews on it, and noticed that everyone seems to agree that this book is mainly for older children. While I agree that older kids can enjoy this book, I thought I had to say that I have incredibly fond memories of reading it - over and over and over again - during first grade. Niether my mother nor I had any problems with the pictures or the poems in the book. I naturally respect everyone's opinions, but I just had to say that 'Halloween ABC' is simply to good a book to bar from younger kids libraries!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Halloween ABC, June 17, 2002

By 

Pink Librarian "hellokerry1976" (Wilmington, DE) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halloween ABC (Paperback)

I don't usually write reviews but after seeing the opinion of the reader from SC who negatively reviewed Eve Merriam's work, I felt a need to express my own opinion. Merriam is a thought provoking and controversial poet. Her work, although in picture book format is intended for older readers. The illustrations are incredible and enrich the text beautifully. Fans of Lane Smith will enjoy this earlier work. Again, 1 star is an unfair judgement. Amazon should not list this book for readers 4-8 but then again, caregivers should always make their own informed decisions. I don't know about "getting deep down in your spirit" but the subject matter is definitely for older readers and highly entertaining. I hope some of you will take the time out to get to know this amazing poet. Always controversial!

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophisticated book for older children, December 10, 2001

By 

Harold Underdown (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halloween ABC (Paperback)

(...) There is just something of a mismatch between format and audience: The fact that this is in an ABC format makes it seem suited at first glance to ABC-age children.

The compact poetry of Eve Merriam and sophisticated illustrations of Lane Smith (done before he was famous) make this a great book for older children who enjoy a slightly gruesome edge to their humor --think the movie Beetlejuice, for example.

Lend a copy to the ten-year-old in your life.