Growing up across the street from my local library, I got to know its inventory well. I would spend hours scanning every book in the children’s section, considering each and every title. This thorough browsing led me to books beyond your traditional picture and chapter books. Here, I found joke books, drawing books, popup books, and countless others that fed readers information in more creative ways. One of my favorite subjects was monsters and Halloween. So, I would have been thrilled to have found a copy of Eric Guth’s Halloween Monsters: A Guide of Spooky Facts and Faces on the shelf. Below is my review of Halloween Monsters along with a link to buy this title now available on Amazon.
Halloween Monsters book summary
Halloween Monsters isn’t a story as much as it is a 24-page encyclopedia introducing young fans to these classic horror monsters. Each spread features a different monster including: mummies, vampires, witches, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, and more.
The left page defines the monster, offers five facts about it, notes where it first began, and highlights what it is (classically) famous for. The right page features an image of the monster’s face made up of objects related to the monster. Example: garlic, mirrors, a coffin, bats and two wooden stakes to make up a vampire face.
Each page also contains different font relating to each monster. The ghost font is thin and vapory. Meanwhile, the wording on the vampire page is more of a handwritten script. All white space is filled in with other images relating to the monster and the facts about it.
Age and reading level
Though it’s about monsters, there’s nothing scary about this book. Its tone is factual and informative, and its images are kid-friendly. The only potentially controversial image is the fact that nooses are incorporated into the witch face image. However, no one is actually hanging from them.
In terms of reading level, the language is fairly simple. A first or second grader may struggle with some of the vocabulary, but a third to fifth grader should be able to read it with no problem. Their only struggle may be trying to decipher some of the fancier font.
Facts and fiction
What I like about the “five facts” section of each page is that Guth did his homework. His facts incorporate both well-known and lesser known origins, abilities, and look of each monster. It also touches upon historic moments which influenced the creation of these monsters. This encourages questions and conversations which lead to more research and knowledge about these mythological beings.
Horror fans love to explore all aspects and incarnations of their favorite monsters. So, this book is a great stepping stone to encourage young horror enthusiasts to grow into hardcore fans. It also helps to trump the stereotypes surrounding this fandom. Loving monsters doesn’t make you a scary person. It makes you curious person and one who loves to see how real-life events can inspire fun and thrilling fiction, whether its through books, movies, songs, shows, toys, art, or costumes.
Because the “facts” do blend fantasy with reality on many of the pages, I would definitely encourage adults to read this book with their children, especially younger readers, so that they can differentiate between the black, white, and gray elements of the text. While it’s true that Dracula was based on a real person, without clarification, they may be led to believe that Vlad the Impaler could shape shift or turn to dust when exposed to sun. Also, monsters such as ghosts and extra terrestrials are beings that even adults can’t agree on whether or not they actually exist.
Nonfiction voice
Guth tries to keep his text short but sweet. However, some of the sentences run a bit long and awkward. I also found a few typos throughout the book.
Ultimately, though, I like the layout of this book with its broken up sections and the continuity of its format that personalizes each monster yet gives them all an equal amount of information and attention. The final two pages even include facts about very real creatures associated with monsters including bats, spiders, crows, and cats.
Because it doesn’t follow a story, the book can be read out of order, skipping over some monsters in order to get to their favorites or even looking up a fact to reference, question, or research further. It’s a less busy version of an informational book like The Magic School Bus series where you are encouraged to bounce around the page to soak up the information rather than read linearly from left to right. It’s a nice change up, especially enticing to those who are not big fans of reading in general.
My recommendation
Whether you’re a horror fan who wants to get their children interested in your beloved fandom or know a non-reader who may make an exception for a book of facts rather than a fictional story, Halloween Monsters has a lot to offer a wide range of readers. Classic monsters have always been around and are here to stay. This book provides not only the most universally-known facts about these creatures but also information about the true origins behind them. It inspires curiosity while entertaining those who see monsters not as threats but as fascinating, imaginative creatures with great stories to tell.
Buy a copy of Halloween Monsters: A Guide of Spooky Facts and Faces here!
Also, don’t forget to leave a review on Goodreads as well!
What are your favorite horror monsters? Do you know any young horror fans who would love this book? Leave your answers in the comments below!
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Sounds like a cute book for little ones who have an interest in the Halloween monsters. Part of the draw of these “monsters” is how they let us explore scary feelings, and vicariously get thrills while sitting safely on the sofa.
That’s always what appealed to me about horror monsters. Thanks for the comment!