Linda Shute

"Take my hand and hold it tight! / We'll join the Goblin Band tonight / To dance and play by the full moon's light / At the spooky, scary, once-a-year Halloween Party." So begins the rhythmic, rhyming narrative of this Halloween picture book from author/illustrator Linda Shute, as a young boy and his mother dress up and attend the holiday festivities. After a spooky walk through the dark night, the pair arrive at the eponymous party, where they are greeted by monsters and wizards, enjoy show more devil's food cupcakes and games, and participate in the musical jamboree involving all the guests. But when it's time to unmask, there is a surprise in store...

Published in 1994, Halloween Party was my first picture book from Shute, but I certainly hope it will not be my last! The text had a sing-song quality, ending on the Halloween Party with each verse, and spun an engaging tale of holiday hi-jinks. The revelation at the end, that the boy and his mother were a vampire and witch provided a humorous conclusion to the tale. All that being said, what really elevated the reading experience for me were Linda Shute's vivid illustrations, often on a black or other solidly colorful background. I really enjoyed the use of color here, the sense of movement, the humorous expressiveness. I recommend this one to picture book readers looking for fun Halloween read-alouds. As for me, I will be looking to track down more of this creator's work. show less

Excellent end notes and illustrated endpapers turn this into a solid four-star read. Cute story, even cuter art.

The only thing is I prefer this 'trick' to be extended, in that Tom would realize he's dug a patch of weeds into arable land and can obey the wee man's wish "May you do much good with what you find" by planting it with a crop.

The leprechaun tricks Tom in this story and even though you have a twinge a sadness for Tom you realize that the leprechaun didn't lie, he was just careful in his choice of words!

This book was a great book to read in the month of March because of St. Patrick's Day. This story is a folk tale that has been told for decades. Clever Tom finds a leprechaun in his fields one day and captures him to get his treasures. Of course the Leprechaun tricks Clever Tom and Tom learns a lesson about something he should never forget when roaming his farm.