Creepy Creatures

November 1, 2006
Gr 5 Up-These selections from the Goosebumps series have been abridged and put in a graphic-novel format, and the fast pace and horror elements make them perfect for this format. The black-and-white illustrations for each one are very different but fit each story well. In The Werewolf of Fever Swamp, the artwork bristles much like the hackles on a werewolfs neck. The smooth, realistic style of The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight makes the scarecrow chilling and haunting. The bolder, cartoon style of The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena perfectly fits this more humorous tale. This is a great option for younger readers interested in graphic novels, and the nostalgia is there for the older set."Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2006
The first volume in the new Goosebumps Graphix series, adapted from the Goosebumps books by R. L. Stine, offers three of Stine's stories, each one illustrated in black and white. Hernandez uses sketchy but expressive art to convey the spooky atmosphere of "The Werewolf of Fever Swamp," in which Grady investigates what is haunting the swamp where his parents have relocated the family. The "gotcha" ending of the tale is particularly well done. Greg Ruth's detailed pencil artwork ably depicts the old farm in "The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight." And Scott Morse brings his unique, scratchy art style to "The Abominable Snowman of Pasadena," in which a scientist and his two kids bring a strange creature back from the Arctic. The lightweight horror stories of the Goosebumps series lend themselves well to visual adaptation, and the well-known, independent comics creators showcased in this collection have an opportunity to introduce their talents to a new, young audience. The original stories have been popular for years, and this graphic-novel format is sure to attract its own following.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2006, American Library Association.)