Halloween (Byron Preiss Book) [Hardcover]

Jerry Seinfeld (Author), James Bennett (Illustrator)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up | Series: Byron Preiss Book

So the first time you hear the concept of Halloween when you're a kid, your brain can't even understand it. "What is this? What did you say? Someone's giving out candy? Who's giving out candy? EVERYONE WE KNOW is giving out candy? I gotta be a part of this!"

In his first picture book, comedian and bestselling author Jerry Seinfeld captures on the page his hilarious views on Halloween, from Superman costumes that look like pajamas to the agony of getting bad trick-or-treat candy. Seinfeld's tale resonates with vivid experiences of a night every kid loves.

Both kids and adults will eat up Jerry's distinct and unwritten rules of Halloween. Hamilton King award-winning illustrator, James Bennett's outlandish illustrations perfectly depict these unique observations, reminding us why Jerry Seinfeld is still the funniest man alive.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If the only "really clear thought" you had as a kid was "Get candy," you'll be at one with comedian Jerry Seinfeld's first children's picture book, Halloween. This nostalgic view of Halloweens past will ring true with everyone who remembers the trials and tribulations of trick-or-treating--from the stupid masks with thin gray rubber straps and cheap little staples to the humiliation of having to wear a winter coat over your store-bought Superman costume. Of course, the smart-alecky Seinfeld puts his own stamp on things in a voice that is so distinctly his: "Come on lady, let's go! Halloween, doorbells, candy, let's pick it up in there." He wants "name candy" only, make no mistake, and even trick-or-treats with an organizational cabinet on wheels, with drawers labeled "Crunchy Things," "Sour Things," "Rejects," etc. James Bennett's exaggerated, hilarious, expressive illustrations of the young Jerry (yes, it looks exactly like him) suit the over-the-top story to a T. Unusual child's-eye perspectives on parents (and friends up the sidewalk who won't wait up) add energy to a book that is already sugar-charged. Like Jerry's standup routines, Halloween focuses on the minutiae and will make you laugh even if you try to resist. (Ages 6 to adult) --Karin Snelson

From Publishers Weekly

According to Seinfeld (and most kids would agree), the trick-or-treating mindset involves two words: "Get candy." In this sugar-fueled nostalgia trip, a familiar-looking boy with beady eyes and a savvy smirk targets name-brand chocolate bars. "I'll wear anything I have to wear... to get the candy from those fools who are so stupidly giving it away," he pants. Seinfeld's junior doppelganger shops for a Superman costume with an uncomfortable plastic mask ("Remember the rubber band on the back of those masks? That was a quality item. Thinnest gray rubber in the world"), and his impatient friends occasion some observational humor that adults will enjoy as much as their progeny (" `You guys, wait up!' Kids don't want other kids to wait, they want them to wait up"). Bennett, who has drawn for MAD magazine, gets Seinfeld's skeptical frown and white sneakers just right, and his visual gags complement the comic's incredulous voice. When Mrs. Seinfeld makes her boy wear a winter coat over his Superman outfit, the book presents a mock-heroic portrait of the Man of Steel, muscular arm punching the night sky and brown corduroy over his cape. After the coat fiasco, young Seinfeld dresses as a nitpicky accountant, with a green visor and a filing cabinet for "chewy things," "sour things" and "rejects." This smart-alecky monologue disrespects grown-ups, apples and marshmallow peanuts - just the thing for jaded candy-chasers. All ages.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316706256
• ISBN-13: 978-0316706254
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 0.5 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,099,898 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

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seinfeld's instant classic riff on Halloweens past, September 10, 2002

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Halloween (Collector's Edition with CD) (Hardcover)

An hysterical Seinfeldian take on all things Halloween-ish, including masks made with cheap staples and the thinnest rubber bands in the world, disappointing costumes, life's perceived ups and downs and, of course, candy Candy CANDY!!! I'd say this is more a book for parents than kids, more for Seinfeld fans than others, but enjoyable for all. James Bennett's illustrations are Pixar-ish and fall-down funny, filled with comic elements, sly digs and caricaturish facial expressions that perfectly capture one's imagined little Jerry.

On an attached cd, the author reads/performs the book in front of a live audience. I probably would have preferred spending a few dollars less to have just the book, but it is fun to listen to Seinfeld perform the material at least once.

This is a fun book-cd combination, and sure to have the family laughing together.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nostalgic fun, October 15, 2002

By 

J. N. Mohlman (Barrington, RI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Halloween (Collector's Edition with CD) (Hardcover)

"Halloween" is a visual representation of Jerry Seinfeld's classic riff on the holiday. While this book doesn't really add to the monologue, it is a superb visual representation of it. The humor is typically dry, but it is also so earnest, and common, that one can't help but laugh. Who among us hasn't been brutalized by the smothering, plastic Halloween mask with the stupid elastic that keeps breaking? And the illustrations are just a riot; they are colorful, clever and perfectly illustrate the writing.

I would have to agree with some of the other reviewers that this isn't a book for children. Not because there is anything wrong with the language or themes, but because it too accurately portrays a child's point of view. A kid would read this and think, "Yeah, so?" because Seinfeld so perfectly represents their experience that they wouldn't appreciate the irony. As an adult, however, I have been revisiting my own Halloween conquests and catastrophes all day thanks to this wonderful book.

Enjoy!

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Happy Halloween Newman..., September 27, 2002

By 

Travis Newman "-Producer, CPP" (Brick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Halloween (Collector's Edition with CD) (Hardcover)

Jerry Seinfeld's standup routine on halloween is one of my favorite pieces of art ever. It is truly art if you look at it, his entire career is an art form that takes such simple everyday stuff and makes it unbelievably funny. His work is nothing short of brilliant and Halloween captures that brilliance in a childrens book.

The book itself may be geared for children, at least it appears so, but I think that an older audience would benefit more from reading this. As i mentioned, I love his standup bit on halloween and seeing illustrations to go along with the words was something I felt was really unique and interesting. The pictures themselves were very playful and properly done, nothing too fancy but they fit the mood.

I think this book would make a unique addition to a childs library. For a young person, it would be a bit of an educational experience as well being humorous. I don't know how to support the educational statement exactly, I just think that in order for youngsters to get the most out of this book, they have to think differently about it than other books they are used to.

I think the general idea for Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld was for everyone to just enjoy the hell out of it. I guarantee that no matter what age you are, you can pick this book up, relate to it, smile a lot and just be happy you took my advice. No trick....this ones a real treat.