Not Very Scary

Starred review from July 28, 2014
In a delightful Halloween romp that’s part counting book, part tongue twister, Brendler and Pizzoli introduce a green-skinned monster named Melly who is heading to her cousin Malberta’s house for a “surprise.” Along the way, Melly realizes an entourage is growing behind her, starting with a “coal-black cat with an itchy-twitchy tail,” which Melly dismisses as “not the least bit scary.” But then come “two skittish skeletons,” “four mournful ghosts,” and “seven frenzied fruit bats,” and suddenly Melly isn’t feeling so brave. Pizzoli crams the pages with comically ghoulish chaos, and his smiley creatures (Melly included) are more cute than bloodcurdling. Amid the mounting tension (which results in an epic party), readers also get a crash course in adverbs: “Not significantly scary!” says Melly when six mummies show up. “Not especially scary!” she shouts on the next page. Ages 3–6. Author’s agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

August 1, 2014
Monster Melly is invited to her cousin Malberta's house "on the scariest night of all." On her way, she notices she is being followed. Why? More importantly: by what? Melly looks pleasant enough for a young monster, with her striped horns and fanged smile. What surprise could her cousin have in store for her? She has no time to think about that, as one "coal-black cat with an itchy-twitchy tail" seems to be stalking her. Melly tells herself bravely it is "Not the least bit scary." The following spreads reveal an increasing number of spooky characters following her. "[T]wo skittish skeletons" and "three wheezy witches" join the procession in turn, until "ten vexing vultures" round out the silly and not-so-scary group of creepy characters. But by the time Melly rings Malberta's doorbell, her teeth are chattering with fear. Her three-eyed cousin opens the door to welcome her to a surprise party. But the true surprise is that all the other guests are right behind her! Brendler's cumulative tale uses silly rhymes and humorous descriptions to make this counting adventure one that invites participation. Geisel winner Pizzoli (The Watermelon Seed, 2013) chooses a muted palette of oranges, browns, greens and purples to allow the whites-on Melly's horns, cheerful ghosts and friendly skeletons-to glow. A terrific Halloween title to share with those readers who prefer giggles to shivers. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-Melly encounters some unexpected visitors when she walks to her cousin Malberta's Halloween party. As she wanders down the street, she first meets a black cat ("not the least bit scary"), then a duo of dancing skeletons, and her ever-so-slight creeps and chills grow. The list of spooky creatures builds and builds as Melly continues her evening stroll. Her dynamic expressions correspond with the goblins and ghouls around her. Melly responds, "Not especially scary!" when "seven frenzied fruit bats" appear on the scene, and her comments increase in urgency; she cries, "Not extraordinarily scary!" when she stumbles across "eight spindly spiders." Melly is a sight to behold with her sharp horns, green face, and striped stockings; she looks like she fits right in with the cast of only oh-so-eerie characters she meets along the way. When she arrives at the festivities, she realizes that her accompanying menagerie includes friendly partygoers instead of the spooky haunts she believed them to be. This fast-paced read aloud will suit the many young listeners interested in just a dash of spookiness with their Halloween adventures.-Meg Smith, Cumberland County Public Library, Fayetteville, NC

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