An illustrated poem that describes some of the spooky events that occur on Halloween night. - (Baker & Taylor)

Luminous, haunting illustrations of three trick-or-treaters' moonlit revels capture the spooky, spine-tingling thrill of this magical night. - (Baker & Taylor)

Booklist Reviews

Gr. 2-3. The palette, dark and misty and mottled with reflected light, perfectly fits this imaginative book in which an eerily fantastic story evolves into a joyous, unusual celebration. The artful text ("When dead leaves fly / like witches on switches / cross the sky") sometimes set against backgrounds so dark that the words nearly disappear, follows the progress of three costumed children delighted to be out trick-or-treating. They laugh and revel in the spooky night until flickering lights transform the shadowy landscape into spooks, ghouls, and witches. The play of shadow and light is remarkable, with dreamy, atmospheric double-spreads that are truly eerie at times. But despite the shadows and strange denizens of the night, the trick-or-treaters have things well in hand, and by the end they join their hosts in dancing "round their queen." After all, "it's Halloween." Save this for children old enough to handle the chills and sharp enough to appreciate the subtle, comic outcome that turns the mood completely around. ((Reviewed September 1, 2003)) Copyright 2003 Booklist Reviews

Horn Book Guide Reviews

Behn's ode to the holiday (""Tonight is the night / when dead leaves fly / like witches on switches / across the sky"") is accompanied by illustrations depicting three trick-or-treaters trekking through a nighttime landscape complete with glowing jack-o'-lanterns, ghosts, and skeletons. Couch's atmospheric art adroitly conjures up the sometimes spooky, sometimes giddy spirit of Halloween. Copyright 2004 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

"Tonight is the night / when dead leaves fly / like witches on switches / across the sky . . . " Couch illustrates a brief rhyme from Behn's first collection of poetry for children with shadowy, atmospheric views of a trio of costumed trick-or-treaters, who grow increasingly spooked as ghouls, witches, and eerily glowing jack-o-lanterns rise about them. Young audiences will respond with delighted shivers as the three fetch up in a misty graveyard, where menacing figures beckon-but turn out to be welcoming the newcomers to a party. Leers and grimaces turn to smiles, and after a bit of wild dancing, the relieved trio vanishes into the fog, waving goodbye. A surefire crowd-pleaser, with just the right reading on the fright scale for sharing with more suggestible audiences. (Picture book. 5-7) Copyright Kirkus 2003 Kirkus/BPI Communications.All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Given Couch's (Summer's Vacation) stylish treatment, the 1949 poem that serves as text for this distinctive picture book will occasion a classic case of the shivers. The poem is mostly a scene-setter: "Tonight is the night/ when dead leaves fly/ like witches on switches/ across the sky." In spooky, misty paintings, Couch introduces three trick-or-treaters who gradually lose their courage. Readers will join them in wondering if things are as they seem, as Couch straddles the delicate line between literal and suggestive representation. The children flee, carelessly dropping their masks and candy baskets. By the chilly glow of a colossal moon, monsters approach-and kindly return the lost items. The illustrator's controlled tension and spine-tingling lighting mine the visual story line for maximum impact. Ages 3-7. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1-3-A skeleton, a witch, and a devil go out to trick-or-treat, but are frightened by every sound they hear and everything they see. Larger-than-life, vivid illustrations bring this simple rhyming verse to life on each haunting spread. A huge smoky-white moon lights the way for the trick-or-treaters seen against a midnight-blue sky as they stand in a mountain of fire-red leaves. A tree looms over them as the moonlit branches look eerily like lightning striking. SPOOKY! A few large-type words on each page will be appealing to younger readers: "Tonight is the night when dead leaves fly/like witches on switches across the sky-." Stunningly colorful and perfect for the season.-Wanda Meyers-Hines, Ridgecrest Elementary School, Huntsville, AL Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.