Tacky and the Haunted Igloo

by Helen Lester, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Overview

It's Halloween, and Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect are planning the spookiest haunted igloo ever! They've decorated with spoohooky cobwebs, they've baked some awful waffle treats, and the only thing left to do is dress up as something scary to haunt the igloo. Everything is going spooktacularly . . . until ghostly hunters show up! They want all the penguins' snacks, but their trick-or-treaters (and, of course, snacky Tacky) have eaten them all. How will the penguins get out of this mess? Tacky will teach these trick-or-treating hunters that, if they can't get treats, they're surely going to get tricked.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780544339941
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/21/2015
Series:	Tacky the Penguin
Pages:	32
Sales rank:	536,566
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	5 - 8 Years

About the Author

Helen Lester has written many hilarious and popular picture books, including the Tacky the Penguin series and Hooway for Wodney Wat. She lives in New York. www.helenlester.com

Lynn Munsinger has illustrated more than ninety books for children, many written by her frequent collaborator, Helen Lester. She lives in Vermont.

Editorial Reviews

07/27/2015
Tacky and his fellow penguins have transformed their home into a haunted igloo in preparation for Halloween, but the festivities turn truly scary after the hunters from Tacky’s original 1988 picture book show up, and they’re hungry: “We’re trick-or treatin’ ghosties/ And we ain’t no toothie fairies/ So give us all yer yummy treats/ Or we do something skearies.” Luckily, Tacky (who had been struggling to come up with a sufficiently scary costume before the hunters arrived) shows up just in time, dressed as none other than one of the hunters. The ensuing shenanigans offer lots of laughs—after all, what better to satisfy one’s appetite for schadenfreude than seeing someone scary get scared (or “skeared” as the case may be)? As ever, Tacky proves that even the unruliest of penguins can save the day. Ages 4–8. (July)

Publishers Weekly

"Both funny and scary, this entry in the popular Tacky the Penguin series is entertaining from first to last...A Halloween treat for Tacky fans." —Booklist "Halloween has not been as shivery, silly, and satisfying as in this polar romp." —Kirkus "Fans won't be disappointed in this addition, and readers not yet familiar with the character will find this to be a wonderful introduction." —School Library Journal   —

From the Publisher

09/01/2015
K-Gr 2—Tacky has another hit on his hands. The eccentric penguin yet again finds a way to save the day as the hunters make their way to ruin a very festive, and very haunted, Halloween. This engaging tale has a timely twist that will certainly incur some giggles as the penguins dress up as what they are most afraid of; kids will relate to fears of the dark, thunderstorms, monsters, and in Perfect's case—bubbles. Turning their fears into silly costumes will open up the possibilities for young readers to discuss their own fears and how to face them just as Tacky does. As usual, Tacky's entrance is timely and funny, as his costume turns out to be the best of all even after the penguin has a big think (aka a nap). Fans won't be disappointed in this addition, and readers not yet familiar with the character will find this to be a wondrous introduction. VERDICT A first purchase for general collections and holiday alike.—Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI

School Library Journal

2015-07-15
While his friends busy themselves getting the igloo ready for Halloween, Tacky the Penguin is less than helpful. Lester and Munsinger continue their popular, long-running series with another tale about lovable Tacky. Although the other penguins get a bit exasperated when he samples all of the treats of "yummy gummy Swedish fish, batcicles, and awful waffles," they do want him to participate in the Halloween festivities. The penguins decide to choose costumes that reflect what scares them the most. Readers will either relate to or giggle at their choices: an insect, the dark, a monster, "a stormy outfit," and bubbles. But Tacky cannot decide on what to wear, so he goes off to think. In the meantime, a long line of trick-or-treaters arrives at the haunted igloo—everything goes wonderfully until there is a commotion at the door. When three huge ghosts swoop in, the penguins quickly learn they are their feared predators. The two wolves and the bear begin to tear the igloo apart looking for treats. If all the sweets are gone—and they are, thanks to Tacky—they are "gonna catch some pretty penguins / And we'll grab 'em by the toe / And we'll plop 'em in our treatsie bags / Hodey ho ho." Luckily, Tacky has selected a very scary costume in the nick of time—one that ends up frightening the trio of bullies so much they run away. Halloween has not been as shivery, silly, and satisfying as in this polar romp. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews