This humorous, rhyming book invites readers to count eerie party guests (1 to 10) as they arrive at the haunted house of the ghost. When the partygoers are frightened by a group of young trick-or-treaters, readers count backwards as the guests depart. A surprise ending offers a delightfully spooky twist.

This is a fun story to read close to Halloween. The book rhymes, the illustrations are great, and is a delight to read. I liked how all the Halloween creatures: vampires, ghouls, skeletons, etc. were afraid of the trick-or-treating children. But the ghost wasn't and scared them away. ( )

For the primary grades wanting to stick with the Halloween theme while reading a book, Haunted Party is a perfect read. Starting off the party with counting each and every mummy, ghost, and witch, will really make the party come to life. Or even death. The book is magical for the primary grades when learning how to count because this book will scare the pumpkins out of you with how many people or things show up to the party. The illustrations by Jacket, make this book seem like a whole new world with watercolor based pictures that will make you think they are actually real. Come to the party and read this spooky book.
-Becca Porter ( )

Librarian and blogger Tasha Saecker talked about this counting book in a September 2009 review. We have similar thoughts about rhyming and counting books; since she loved this Haunted Party, I want to give it a try.

Iza Trapani's ghost host has his hands full of spooky fun in Haunted Party. This counting story in rhyme will keep little ones focused on the menagerie of ghouls and creepy creatures that attend a Halloween party "At the haunted house of the ghost." But the fun really begins when the 10 children arrive all "sunny and sweet." The party guests are frightened out of their wits to the chanting of "Trick or Treat!" All make a hasty exit as we count back down to the last remaining ghost and a surprise for readers.

This humorous picture book is vividly illustrated in watercolor, colored pencil, and ink. Simply an adorable Halloween treat for readers learning to count from 1 to 10.

Recommended for children in PreK - Gr. 1.

Details: Haunted Party written & illustrated by Iza Trapani, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-58089-246-9

Review first appeared in the MiniBookBytes Blog: http://minibookbytes.blogspot.com/ ( )