Getting in the Halloween spirit

Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters by Roland Garrigue is my go-to Halloween story this year. It is superbly funny and quirky and has the most fun illustrations to compliment the text. However, the illustrations are not for everyone. They do have a uniqueness that make them not have a “soft” Halloween look. A coworker of mine said that while she is sure they work well for the text, she was not really loving the illustrations. They are not completely realistic and are slightly characteristic. Yet, that is what makes them work for me.

 

And even though it is saying for “little monsters” this is not for the traditional nursery rhyme crowd. There is some context that might be over a child’s head as well as some of the illustrations might be just more adult leaning. There is nothing inappropriate, but it is for a unique, older audience. I am most assured that most adults I know will squeal and scream with fright… I mean delight over both text and art.

 

 

Rachel Kolar has taken the nursery rhymes we grew up with and has given them some bite. Unlike Miss Muffet, the witch eats that cheeky spider who sat down beside her. We will be howling with werewolves called Willie and Mary will be bringing a ghost to school instead of a silly old sheep. Thirteen spooky rhyming tales will get your blood pumping and your sides splitting with laughter. Mother Ghost is perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit.