Halloween A B C by Eve Merriam (1987, Illustrated, Reinforced Hardcover)

This dark and spooky ABC book by Eve Merriam is one that most children would find interesting. It is illustrated by Lane Smith (Stinky Cheese Man, among others). Smith's illustrations always are wonderful, and this was part of my decision to buy this book. Another reason for purchasing this book was the uproar caused by the book among reviewers on other sites. The fuss is that the book is too spooky and scary for young children. I do not agree; children generally love Hallowe'en and other serendipitous things -- this book is illustrated simply and the ghoulish, alliterative, musical poetry would be excellent for language development. However, parents know their own children and have the parental responsibility to choose their young children's books as they deem appropriate. Here is an example of the poetry for the letter L: the word is LAIR.

"Lunging, plunging through the wood,
past the torchlight, past the fire,
loping, leaping, leading on
through the brambles, through the brier,
luring you into its lair."

I think it is a great ABC book!