My fave spooky picture books include Boris and Bella by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Gris Grimly (Harcourt, 2004)(inside spread). From the flap copy:"Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in all of Booville. Her slime is the slimiest and her grime is the grimiest. Alas, she is neighbors with Boris Kleanitoff, a persnickety ghoul so tidy he vacuums his vampire bats. What could ever bring these two together?
"It will take a Halloween party like no other--a full creature-feature of beasts, ghosts, and creepy-crawlies, and some of the fanciest dance moves since Morrie Mummy shook a leg clean off. So grab a mug of ghoul drool and join the fun!
"Wicked wit Carolyn Crimi and illustrator Gris Grimly have put their heads together (along with a few they found in the graveyard) and cooked up the funniest, funkiest, and out-and-out freakiest monster mash you've ever seen!"
More News & Links
Project 17 by Laurie Faria Stolarz (Hyperion, December 2007) book trailer. Learn more about the novel from Laurie's site. Read a Cynsations interview with Laurie.Harry Potter and the Fundamentals of Fantasy by Philip Martin from Absolute Write.
Thrills and chills for Halloween reading: reviews by Katie Lewis from BookPage.
More Personally
My Halloween decorations include--two Jack-O-Lantern pillows on side chairs in the parlor; stout black candles in the candelabra in the fireplace, which front-light the miniature black metal haunted house; black tapers in crystal candlesticks on the bookshelf in the parlor; bat lights in the foyer; hanging black metal bat from the foyer-to-parlor arch; new bat-themed doormat. Note: so far Tarrytown Pharmacy and Prima Dora Gifts have the best decorations. Central Market has extremely cute but very expensive kitty vampire cards. I may have to buy some.
Reminder: Are You Predator or Prey? Giveaway Contest: In recognition of October's spookiness, I'm giving away three Tantalize (Candlewick, 2007) prize packages--two to people (booksellers, teachers, librarians) who connect books to YA readers and one to an individual reader. The packages each include an autographed copy of Tantalize, a Sanguini's T-shirt, bat and wolf finger puppets, stickers, and additional surprises! In addition, the individual winner will receive one signed Tantalize bookmark, and the bookseller/teacher/librarian winners will receive twenty signed bookmarks. I'll also send autographed bookmark stacks to at least three runners-up in the bookseller/teacher/librarian category. Deadline Oct. 15. See details!
