Meowloween (Meowl-O-Ween)

PreS-Gr 2--This seasonal story unfolds through the eyes of a wise cat who captures the fun and festivities of Halloween in playful rhyming couplets. The feline narrator explains that cats from far and wide have joined together to give young trick-or-treaters an amusing scare, all in good fun. Everyone is enjoying themselves, with the exception of a timid grey kitten who has become separated from her mother. The mother quickly discovers the kitten hiding behind a large pumpkin. She soon overcomes her fears and finds the courage to scare the leader-of-the-pack cat, causing laughter from all the merrymakers. The night ends with the children happily sharing their collected sweet treats with the appreciative fun-loving cats. This tale will inspire preschoolers to overcome their own fears. It contains a message of the importance of family, community, friendship, and fun. The use of wordplay and made-up words adds to the whimsical element of the narrative, engaging young readers and tickling their sense of humor. Cheery digitally rendered illustrations bring the Halloween scenes to life, depicting lively costumed children visiting welcoming houses adorned with festive decorations. VERDICT This delightful Halloween adventure is ideal for a quick holiday story time session.--Lynne Stover

From the cover image of a rooftop-leaping kitty's shadowy silhouette, it's clear that Halloween has gone to the cats in this celebration of trick-or-treat and felinekind. Muldrow builds a bit of gentle suspense with rhyming text narrated by "Country cats--/fancy cats--from far and near--/alley cats--house cats--no scaredy cats here!" The kitties form a quiet-footed fleet that's out to frighten trick-or-treaters "with /a / yowl!" As the mammals playfully stalk a group of costumed kids portrayed with varying skin tones, a parallel plot tracks a kitten, frightened by the commotion and crying for its mama before a fuzzy reunion. Chen gets the clowder's postures and behaviors just right, creating cat-tastically crowded, digitally rendered interspecies scenes of friends having a joyful, treat-filled time. Fun for cat lovers and Halloween fans alike. Ages 3-7. (Sept.)

Muldrow's rhyming romp is a fine feline addition to libraries with large Halloween collections or as a gift for a favorite kitty collector. Chen's digitally created illustrations in a colorful palette feature bright-eyed pussycats and exuberant treat-seekers enjoying a slightly spooky Halloween. A seasonal story with nary a scare, suitable for tiny tot cat fans. —Kirkus Reviews