Sunday's media madness...

With Halloween coming up I thought I would look at some book for the family.  The first one is for the youngsters in your house, its an adorable press board book called Clackers: Black Cat by C Nash (Author), Luana Rinaldo (Illustrator).  Its the story of a Black Cat who wants her friends to come trick-or-treating with her, but they are all too busy—preparing to throw a surprise Halloween party for her. The lively text, colorful illustrations and sound effects all enhance the clacking noise of this format. The sounds will keep young children interested and enjoying the book, its geared towards kids age baby to preschool.  It is only $5.99 and available at Amazon.

The next book is for a little bit older audience, Can You See What I See?: On a Scary Scary Night: Picture Puzzles to Search and Solve.  This book is by Walter Wick, the Co-creator of the popular I SPY series.  It challenges the child to find thing that are hidden in the pictures which is great for increasing their retention of new words. It is a fun book geared toward children 4 - 8 and available at Amazon for $11.19.

For the pre teen there is a series by author Richelle Mead called the Vampire Acadmy, book one is available at Amazon for $8.99.  From the Booklist review: "After two years on the run, best friends Rose, half-human/half-vampire, and Lissa, a mortal vampire princess, are caught and returned to St. Vladimir's Academy. Up until then, Rose had kept Lissa safe from her enemies; school, however, brings both girls additional challenges and responsibilities. How they handle peer pressure, nasty gossip, new relationships, and anonymous threats may mean life or death. Likable narrator Rose hides doubts about her friend behind a tough exterior; orphan Lissa, while coping with difficult emotional issues such as depression and survivor's guilt, uses her emerging gifts for good."

For the teen reader short stories are great, they are something they can read in between homework and a busy social calender.  American Supernatural Tales is a series of stories by the best horror writers ever, including Poe himself, H. P. Lovecraft, Shirley Jackson, Ray Bradbury, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and-of course- Stephen King.  It is available a Amazon for $11.25.

Finally, what Halloween would be complete without reading something yourself.  There are so many great books on the market by so many great authors, but during Halloween I tend to go back to the tried and true classics, this year I am leaning towards the original Dracula, written in 1897 by Irish novelist Bram Stoker, this reprint of the book has new illustrations by Ben Templesmith.  It was written before Vampires were considered cool, attractive or "nice" and tells the story of Jonathan Harker, who travels to Transylvania to meet with the mysterious Count Dracula, he ends up enslaved by the vampire who wants to learn about England. Leaving Harker for dead, Dracula travels to London where he begins to menace Harker's fiancee, Mina, and her beautiful friend, Lucy. After escaping from Dracula's castle, Harker returns to London where he meets Abraham Van Helsing who may have a way to destroy the blood-sucking monster! It is available at Amazon for $11.60, but there are also some bargain priced copies available for sale as well.

I hope you all have had a great weekend!

C.Q.