Author | Eve Merriam |
---|---|
Illustrator | Lane Smith |
Language | English |
Genre | Children's poetry |
Publisher | Macmillan |
Publication date | 1987 |
Publication place | USA |
Pages | 28 (unnumbered) |
ISBN | 978-00-2766870-4 |
Halloween ABC is a book of poetry for children, written by Eve Merriam and illustrated by Lane Smith. It includes a poem related to a scary or Halloween related theme for each letter of the alphabet.
Kirkus Reviews calls it "elegant in design, precise in image, this is a sophisticated style that should be popular for its subject, with appeal for any age that enjoys the macabre side of Halloween". [1] Publishers Weekly describes the poems as "fresh, original creations" and "illustrator Smith is a perfect accomplice..." [2] The School Library Journal recommends Halloween ABC for children K and up, and states that: "This is not a book for young children to learn the alphabet, but it is a witty, whimsical, and happily shivery book for Halloween sharing. It is also a wonderful book for monster- and horror-loving youngsters at any time of the year and a diabolic way for poetry-loving adults to introduce the work of one of our best contemporary poets [...]"
Halloween ABC is on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990–2000 [3] as "it allegedly contains demonic references, cult symbols, and promotes violent and deviant behavior". [4]
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