The Too-Scary Story

Reviewed by: Margy Soule - Coffin Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: March 14, 2018

Review

This picture book story has a winning combination of popular child appeal and strong characterization, setting, and plot using just a few words per page. A father tells his daughter and son a bedtime story as his daughter holds her wand to fend off scary things. The little brother feel less protected and repeatedly asks his dad to not make the story too scary. Dad's story creates just enough suspense to satisfy preschoolers' love of scary things and just enough fireflies to light up the dark corners. Humorous cartoon style sketches (created with pencil, watercolor,gouache, and tissue collage) in night shades with orange and red touches balance the scary and fun moods.

Overall Book Score: very good