The Halloween Kid [Hardcover]

Rhode Montijo (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: August 3, 2010 | Age Range: 3 and up | Lexile Measure: 590L (What's this?)

From the illustrator of the Melvin Beederman, SUPERHERO series comes a story about a masked hero and his trusty steed. Together they save Halloween from ruthless toilet paper–tossing mummies and pumpkin-sucking vampires.

No siree, Halloween won’t be canceled anytime soon, not while the Halloween Kid’s around. With a rootin’ tootin’ Halloween monster–shootin’ text and retro-modern illustrations, The Halloween Kid will lasso in readers both young and old. Because who doesn’t love a hero who defends the right to trick or treat? Yee-Ha-lloween!

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2 YEE-HA-LLOWEEN! is the battle cry of the Halloween Kid, who rides his stick horse into suburban anytown USA and rids the place of all manner of Halloween-hatin' varmints. Text written in cowboy lingo enhances the rootin' tootin' fun as the Halloween Kid lassos toilet-paper mummies, leaf-pile ghosts, and the Giant Miami Werewolf. When the Kid meets his match in the greedy Goodie Goblins, the local children rescue him for a change, bringing the tale to a sweet and satisfying conclusion. This rollicking story projects a delightfully retro style and sensibility, aided by black, white, and orange brush-and-ink illustrations reminiscent of cartoons from the Eisenhower era. A treat for storytime as well as for independent reading and a must for Halloween picture-book collections. Amy Rowland, Shelter Rock Elementary School, Manhasset, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

When tricks interfere with treats on a suburban street, it’s up to the Halloween Kid to save the night. With his trusty stick horse, mysterious Lone Ranger mask, and contagious catchphrase, “Yee-Ha-lloween!” he is able to foil TP-crazy mummies, pumpkin-sucking vampires, and tropical werewolves. Then some Goodie Goblins come to town and threaten the very existence of the holiday. It’s the Kid himself who needs saving, and the neighborhood teams up to do just that, proving that even heroes can use some help now and then. The orange, yellow, and black digitally-enhanced art sets the 1950s-flavored scene, and the cowboy lingo adds even more fun in its celebration of “good ol’-fashioned dressin’ up and gettin’ some sweet eats.” This western-themed romp is a sure winner for sharing aloud at Halloween. Preschool-Grade 2. --Andrew Medlar

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (August 3, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416935754
• ISBN-13: 978-1416935759
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #718,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Thanksgiving is next week and my kids are still making me read this daily! November 18, 2011

By sarahdn

Format:Hardcover

My two boys (5 & 2) LOVE this book! They make me read it every day. More than once. It's been 6 weeks now and they are not letting up. They love to yell YE-HA-LLOWEEN! They are definitely getting stick ponies for Christmas.

P.S. People who complain about the grammar are tools. It's supposed to have an old-timey feel. Duh.

5.0 out of 5 stars Our favorite -read it with your best western accent September 22, 2012

By M. Glynn

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was so thrilled when this arrived and I read through it! I couldn't wait to share it with the kids. The old-western lingo is terrific fun, the tempo is good, (I wish there were a few more details. But the kids get all the info they need from the illustrations and can fill in the rest with their imaginations) The illustrations are wonderful, So much better than I expected! The limited color palette keeps it all charming and gives it a classic children's book feel.

As for the writing style,think: cowboy narrator; sittin' round the campfire; tellin' tales as you're a readin' it to yer young-uns. That's the feel of this story. If you read it with an accent, they will recognize that you are playing a character, entertaining them, and not demonstrating how you wish them to speak in school.

I've looked for good Halloween books for years and this is definitely one of the best I've found. Other Halloween favorites at our house are: "Ghosts in the House" By K. Kohara, "Five Little Pumpkins" (pick your favorite illustrator), and "Room on the Broom" By J. Donaldson for three and up; and for longer attention spans (4-5 and up)- "The little Old Lady Who was Not Afraid of Anything" by L. Williams and "Too Many Pumpkins" by L. White.

5.0 out of 5 stars Halloween Kid is Great January 23, 2012

By SMFC

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my son's favorite book, especially when I use different voices for the characters. It is written in a way to emphasize a western accent and vocabulary. It is great for entertaining but not the book I would choose for improving english proficiency.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a Rootin', Tootin', High-Flootin' Good Time December 19, 2010

By tvtv3 TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

As THE HALLOWEEN KID says, Halloween is a time for dressing up and getting sweet eats. However, sometimes there's trouble and when there is, that's when the Halloween Kid appears. The Kid wears a cowboy hat and mask, carries a lasso, and rides a magical stick horse. He's wrestled pumpkin-sucking vampires, captured leaf-pile ghosts, and trapped the Giant Miami Werewolf. Halloween goes on without any problem for years until the Goodie Goblins show up. Pranks are played, candy is stolen, and pumpkins are smashed. Some people stop handing out candy and others keep their youngsters inside. There's even talk in the village of canceling Halloween altogether. But then, the Halloween Kid appears and tracks the Goodie Goblins to their secret cave. He plans to round them up, but ends up getting captured himself. It's up to his trusty steed and the children of the village to rescue the kid, chase off the goblins, and make sure Halloween isn't canceled.

The overall story of THE HALLOWEEN KID is enjoyable and it has a good message about standing up and doing the right thing even when you're afraid. However, what I liked most about the book is the writing style and the illustrations. The book is written and illustrated by the same person, which is somewhat unusually in children's books. My parents grew up watching Westerns on tv and at the movies and as a result, I grew up watching many of those shows through tapes and on cable. There is a particular style to a Western and ones from that era or even more distinct. THE HALLOWEEN KID perfectly captures the distinct mood, style, and tone of the old-time Westerns. Not only that, but all of the illustrations are drawn in mostly shades of orange and black with a hint of brown and a few tints of yellow.... Overall, it makes for a very memorable and enjoyable Halloween children's book. So, sit back, relax and travel back to those days of yesteryear with THE HALLOWEEN KID. Read more ›

3.0 out of 5 stars For older children in the 4-8 range October 24, 2010

By nycmom

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Agree with the previous review, in that the poor grammar makes this a tough read. This is especially true for 4/5 years old who are still learning proper grammar. This is probably more appropriate for 7/8 year olds. Seems like a good story but the language gets in the way.

4.0 out of 5 stars 3.5/5 Stars October 12, 2010

By Bibliophile By the Sea TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

The Halloween Kid by Rhode Montijo is a story about a kid determined to save Halloween when some Greedy Goodie Goblins roll into town. The Kid along with his trusty stick horse, Lone Ranger mask, is determined to get back at those who ruined Halloween. When the Kid finds his job a little tougher than expected, the neighbors help out to reclaim the day and the fun.

This book is cute, especially the colorful illustrations with a retro sort of look. The story too, is a cute one, but I had a issue with the terrible grammar which I'm guessing was meant to be cute, but just really bugged me.

"He wasn't afraid if nothin".

"In fact he done did such a good job at wranglin Halloween Hoodlums, that Halloween was just dandy for years".

If you can get beyond the writing style you most likely will enjoy this book. Recommended for grades K-2.

Rating - 3.5/5 stars

5.0 out of 5 stars Super cute Halloween book! September 23, 2010

By Ashley

Format:Hardcover

This is a must have for your Halloween collection. My boys LOVE this book and are ages 4 and 7.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Halloween Story for kids September 17, 2010

By ChrisA

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Great Halloween book for the kids.

My two boys have had me already read this rootin', tootin' tale of heroism to them several times, they really enjoyed the toilet-paper-tossing mummies and pumpkin-sucking vampires.

If you have kids, nieces, newphews, grandchildren, or just love children and Halloween, I highly recomend this children's Halloween book by Rhode Montijo.