Friday, October 14, 2011

Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane (Giveaway Included!)


Over in the forest 
Where the trees hide the sun
Lived a big mommy monster
And her little monster one.

"Scare!" said the mommy;
"I scare," said the one.
So he scared and he scampered
Where the trees hide the sun.

From monsters to ghosties to goblins, everyone's favorite beasties haunt and howl and rattle their way through their forest home in this silly, spooky twist on the beloved nursery rhyme "Over in the Meadow."

In the past I've been a little hesitant to review picture books, not because we don't love them in this house, but because I've never really know what I would say about a book composed of page sized pictures and very little text.  I will actually say I was intimidated by it.  Even when I agreed to review Little Goblins Ten by Pamela Jane, I was still a little nervous.  I just couldn't let those nerves get the best of me, I had to read this book, even if it meant faces down my fears.

By now you may be asking yourself, what the heck is this guy talking about.  Why would anyone be afraid of picture books and if they were that big of a baby, what would possess them to agree to review one.  I'm not really sure I can answer that first part, well I could, but I would sound like an idiot.  The second part is way easier.  I'm a sucker for all things that smell of Halloween, and since this book full of monster and ghouls was going to be read/reviewed in October, how could I pass it up.

Little Goblins Ten is an adorable addition to any family's Halloween library.  Dragons, werewolves, bats, and skeletons are just of the other little denizens of the forest who are getting ready for trick-or-treating.  From the one little monster, to the three little zombies they are practicing their best tricks to earn the best treats.  Aidan, who at 8 years old, loved the various monsters, even though he's starting to think he's too old for these kind of books.  Despite his fast track to maturity, he really loved the illustrations, by Jane Manning, and the simply rhyming pattern.  I've heard him, when he doesn't know I'm listening, reading the book out loud just to hear the words.  I think this will be a book to keep around the house for many years to come.

Because I loved this one so much, I'm now convinced I need to read her last book, A Vampire Is Coming To Dinner!  I recently read a read a little blurb about it:

Read along as the narrator of this story comes up with some practical rules for dealing with a vampire.  But rules are meant to be broken, aren't they?  From feeding the vampire garlic to filling the house with mirrors, the narrator is doing just that!  With ten full-page gatefolds and a pop at the end of the book, kids will love seeing which rules are being followed and which aren't!  If you're expecting a vampire (invited or not) this is your chance to get ready for a night of pranks and surprises.  It is best to be prepared.  "...a ghoulishly good time." - Publisher's Weekly

I would like to thank Trish of TLC Book Tours for the opportunity to read/review this wonderful book.  Please visit the tour page for other reviews.

Now for the important part, the giveaway!  All you have to do to enter is leave a comment telling me what your favorite book, movie, or TV Show that is dragged out every year for Halloween.  Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner.  Sadly, the giveaway is US only.

The giveaway will end on 10/27/11 at 11:59 pm.  I will then email the winner, who will then have 48 hours to get back to me or a new winner will be chosen.

11 comments:

Anne said...

The book looks great, my son would love it! Our favorite show to watch on Halloween is It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

annesbookgarden@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean about it being difficult to review a children's book but I think you did a great job. And honestly I think Kiddo would enjoy this one even though he's almost 10 - he's got a thing for Halloween-y books. :)

Thanks for being on the tour Ryan!

bermudaonion said...

Picture books are very difficult to review, but you did a fabulous job. This book sounds adorable!

Amanda said...

I saw this on TLC and thought it was so adorable!! Now that I have a little guy myself I can't wait until we delve into picture books.

During Halloween I LOVE watching the movie Hocus Pocus. My favorite!

Thanks!
Amanda
libraryofmyown at gmail dot com

Jill Buck said...

Most of my halloween favorites are picture books and I am now realizing they are still in a box in the basement and we are halfway to Halloween! Must go dig those out tomorrow to read to the kids! Movie wise, The Great Pumpkin would be my winner, fun but not scary fun. My kids love reading The Five little Pumpkins, There is a Witch Under the Stairs, we often break out Stellaluna since she is a bat too. I'm afraid to actual say how many Halloween books are in the box!
buckfamily at ptd.net

Yvette said...

During the Halloween season, I love watching ARSENIC AND OLD LACE starring Cary Grant, Boris Karloff and Priscilla Lane. It is hilarious and perfect any autumn night but especially at this time of year.

Staci said...

I miss the days when I would read these types of books to my boys. They look adorable!

Simcha said...

This sounds like a really cute book, but I really want that vampire one.

LoriStrongin said...

Aww, those sound super cute! I don't care about the "age" limit, kid books can be awesome reads!

And The Nightmare Before Christmas is my go-to at this time of year. No idea whether it's a Halloween story or a Christmas one, but who cares? It's Tim Burton and Danny Elfman, which equals Made of Awesome.


Smiles!
Lori

Gwendolyn B. said...

Well, I drag out John Carptenter's THE THING. I started watching it years ago with a college friend. The rules are that it can only be watched in the middle of the night and absolutely ALL the lights have to be out. I think it's the music that makes it so unbearably frightful even after all these years.

At least I could share this goblin book with the little goblins at my house. Thanks for the chance to win a copy!

geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

Michelle Stockard Miller said...

I would have to say that the Scream movies seem to make an appearance around my house every year.

Cute book! Thanks for the review and for the giveaway!

truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom