Monster Mash
New fall books focus on frights, family and friends. Mary McScary By R. L. StineIllustrated by Marc BrownBest for: Ages 4-8
Mary McScary is very scary. She can scare anyone and anything. She scares her dad at breakfast, her mom at lunch and she likes to scare dogs just for fun. The only person Mary has not been able to scare is her cousin Harry. But Mary is determined that today is the day. Because Harry is coming over, Mary puts on her scariest, hairiest outfit and greets him at the door. Harry is not scared. She tries snakes, spiders and hungry hippos to no avail. When Mary thinks all is lost and she’ll never hear Harry scream, she has a wickedly scary idea. Mary kisses her cousin on the cheek. Maybe there is one thing Harry is afraid of after all.
Fans of R. L. Stine may expect this tale to be creepier than it is. But Stine hits the perfect tone for young children in Mary McScary, keeping her narrative closer to humor than horror.
What’s good: Engaging illustrations and humorous storytelling.
What’s bad: Your expectations may let you down.
Big Sister, Little Monster By Andria Warmflash RosenbaumIllustrated by Edwin FotheringhamBest for: Ages 4-8
Siblings can be monsters! Lucy’s little sister, Mia, gets in the way, takes her stuff without asking and causes a general nuisance every day. Then one day, Lucy becomes so frustrated with Mia that she tells her to go away—and she does. Lucy is finally alone. She enjoys the peace and quiet, but it doesn’t take long before Lucy begin noticing things are too quiet. She never expected Mia to vanish into a realm of real monsters, but when Lucy finds Mia, that is exactly where she is. The monsters want Mia to stay forever as their queen. It’s then that Lucy discovers her own inner monster. Monsters or not, they should know better than to mess with sisters.
Rosenbaum acknowledges that siblings can get on each other’s nerves and fight, but through it all, they remain family. In the end, Lucy and Mia find the time to be best friends and cause a little monster mayhem of their own.
What’s good: Fotheringham’s illustrations add energy that matches the rhythmic text.
What’s bad: The monsters are a little too likeable.
The Apprentice Witch By James Nicol Best for: Ages 8-13
Magic, friendship, bravery and bad guys. Arianwyn thinks her life is doomed when she fails her witch assessments and is relegated to be an apprentice in a remote town named Lull. But don’t let the name fool you; strange and exciting things are happening in the woods around Lull. The Apprentice Witch taps into the same human emotions of fear and helplessness we all feel as adolescents on the verge of adulthood. With genuine emotion as the foundation, character development, mystery-adventure and incredible creatures will keep readers turning the pages until the exciting end.
What’s good: Genuinely charming story that sweeps you up in the adventure.
What’s bad: Can’t help but be compared to Harry Potter’s magical universe.