Boo!

by Leslie Patricelli, Leslie Patricelli (Illustrator)

Overview

The inimitable Baby brings a humorous spin to the holidays in a cheerful board book fit for trick-or-treat bags.

It’s almost Halloween! How should Daddy carve the pumpkin? So many expressions to choose from! What should Baby be—a princess or pirate, ballerina or clown? When the jack-o’-lantern’s ready (looking suspiciously like Baby), it’s time for a little ghost to head out in the slightly scary night. But fear turns to excitement as the pumpkin fills up with treats. WOW!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763663209
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	07/14/2015
Series:	Leslie Patricelli Board Books Series
Pages:	26
Sales rank:	228,613
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 7.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	3 Months to 3 Years

About the Author

Leslie Patricelli is the creator of a series of best-selling board books starring her beloved bald baby as well as Higher! Higher!, Faster! Faster!, Be Quiet, Mike!, and two stories about the Patterson Puppies. She lives in Ketchum, Idaho.

Editorial Reviews

07/27/2015
The diaper-wearing baby from Patricelli’s Toot, Tickle, and other board books gets its first taste of Halloween, from pumpkin carving to costume choosing. In the book’s funniest moment, Baby dismisses “too small” and “too big” pumpkins for one that’s “just right”—it’s the exact size and shape of Baby’s head, down to a squiggly stem that mirrors Baby’s single curly hair. (Admittedly, this makes the subsequent pumpkin-carving scenes just a tad creepy.) Patricelli honestly explores the frights and excitements that Halloween first-timers often feel, but she keeps the dial firmly set to fun. Up to age 3. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (July)

Publishers Weekly

This will end up in many storytime stacks all year long. A warm and cuddly celebration of the creepiest holiday.
—Kirkus Reviews

Patricelli honestly explores the frights and excitements that Halloween first-timers often feel, but she keeps the dial firmly set to fun.
—Publishers Weekly

The lively color-saturated illustrations play off the simple, direct text, adding humor and silliness to the mix. Two interactive double-page spreads—“How should we carve our jack-o’- lantern?” and “What should I be?”— involve young listeners in the fun and prep newbies for these holiday highlights.
—The Horn Book

Another winner for Patricelli. She has cleverly crafted a tale about a lovable preschooler celebrating another favorite holiday.
—School Library Journal

From the Publisher

09/01/2015
PreS—A preschooler really loves Halloween, but readers see the duality of the holiday in a new and special way. There are the challenges of picking the perfect pumpkin and carving it, picking out a costume, and finding the courage to go trick-or-treating with Dad. The twofold plot is supported by the illustrations. For example, when the protagonist exclaims that he is "all clean," he actually is a complete mess from the guts of the pumpkin. Boo! is a fun and funny book that is a "safe" read for preschoolers because the happy-go-lucky toddler, with a single wiry strand of hair and pinkish glow, adds levity to a dark and scary night filled with ghosts and goblins. VERDICT Another winner for Patricelli. She has cleverly crafted a tale about a lovable preschooler celebrating another favorite holiday.—Gwen Collier, Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

2015-07-15
Patricelli's tiny tot celebrates Halloween. The spooky season is nigh, and this little one is ready to celebrate. First the single-haired imp picks out the perfect pumpkin for a jack-o'-lantern. (Daddy uses the knife while the eager narrator scoops out the insides.) Then it's on to the wardrobe department to pick a creepy costume. And finally there's learning the ins and outs of trick-or-treating. The author mixes comparing-and-contrasting skills development with the highlights of All Hallows' Eve, and the result is a charming read. The bold, rounded illustrations and purple, orange, and green color palette engage the eye and evoke the holiday perfectly. The author smartly crafts her main character to be perfectly androgynous, so readers can see themselves in the costumes as well as sharing the fun and preparing for their own holiday traditions. This will end up in many storytime stacks all year long. A warm and cuddly celebration of the creepiest holiday. (Board book. 1-3)

Kirkus Reviews