FICTION

Spooky Friends

by Jane FEDER
illus. by Julie Downing. 40p. (Spooky Friends Series). Scholastic. Aug. 2013. Tr $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47815-1; pap. $3.99. ISBN 978-0-545-47816-8. LC 2012014786.
COPY ISBN
PreS-Gr 1—This tale of friendship unfolds in three short stories written with simple phrases and strong dialogue. Youngsters will laugh as "spooky friends"-Scarlet, a green, pigtailed vampire (complete with pet bat), and Igor, a tubby mummy-find solutions to their capricious disagreements: "If Igor wanted to read, Scarlet wanted to sing. If Scarlet wanted to nap, Igor wanted to dance." Characters mirror preschoolers' emotional understanding of friendship and each of the stories provides a lighthearted plot as Scarlet and Igor learn that no matter what disagreements ensue, working things out together is even better. Colored font depicts heightened emotions while warm-hued, playful illustrations entertain emerging readers and provide ample context for comprehension and fluency. This is a great selection for those looking for delightful rather than frightful Halloween books, titles on friendship, or general early-reader collections.—Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI
"Scarlet and Igor were very good friends. The trouble was, they could never agree on anything." In three brief stories, vampire Scarlet and mummy Igor argue over what to do and eat, what to name a kitten, and whether to draw or paint. Eventually this odd-couple learns how to compromise and work together. Feder's early-reader text addresses experiences that are relatable to children, and it includes useful repetition and age-appropriate vocabulary. Downing gives the "spooky friends" distinct and humorous personalities, while the generous white space in her spare pen and watercolor illustrations allows new readers to easily digest the entertaining action. cynthia k. ritter
Reviewed by Scarlet , Jul 01, 2013

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