When a little ghost named Oliver plans the spookiest party ever, he makes sure all of his spooky friends are invited to the empty house at the end of the street. However, after all the witches, skeletons, bats, and ghosts have arrived, there's one last knock at the door. Who could it be? When Oliver answers, he's surprised by two extra guests who say, "Trick or Treat!" What's a ghost to do? Trick them or give them a treat? Everyone is in for a fun surprise. To find out what is is, check out this Halloween treat and read on.

The Bottom Line: With simple text and playful, watercolor illustrations, Landry delivers a spooky and fun seasonal winner. Enthusiastically recommended for beginning readers in grades Pre-K - 1, especially for little ones a bit hesitant about Halloween.

This review also appears at the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

This book would be a good book to use with children ages 3-6. It would be a good book to use during the month of October and have the children do some kind of pumpkin craft with it. It was very short. It talked about a ghost who threw a party and invited some of his friends. Once the party started two unexpected guest arrived. Do the ghosts, witches, bats, cats, and skeletons scare the little kids? ( )

Recommended

The book cover has a cute invitation for readers to come to the “party” (read the book). On Halloween, Oliver the ghost, has a party. He invites his friends, who consist of real witches, skeletons, spiders and black cats. On his way back home, Oliver accidently drops an invitation on the ground. The invitation is found by a couple of trick or treater’s and as they finish collecting candy, they plan to stop at the party. When they knock on the door and Oliver answers, there is a awkward silence. The witches discuss hexing them, the ghosts want to spook them, but Oliver decides to welcome them to the party. The boy’s say it’s the best Halloween party they have ever been to! Then next day Oliver, finds a invitation on his doorstep to Jack’s birthday.

The author got this idea for a book because his family has an annual Halloween party in their old barn. The watercolor drawings and pencil illustrations are playful and cute. The color pallet is relaxed and peaceful, so it is not scary for young readers. The witches, ghosts and skeletons have friendly faces. This would be a great book for a read aloud during Halloween in the library or just before a classroom Halloween party. This would make a great addition to any school or public library. I would put it up as part of the Halloween book display. Young students will have a fun time knowing that the characters are real ghosts, witches and skeletons. The two trick-or-treaters, who came dressed as a cow and jack-o-lantern, have no idea. They never actually find out. Readers (or listeners) will laugh at the jokes woven throughout the story. There is an AR test available for .5 points for those young readers involved in a reading program. Overall, it is a cute and enjoyable Halloween book. ( )

Good Halloween fare for the littlest ghouls. ( )