Tomorrow Night at VHofB - Come See Toni Piccinini

Tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 30, come to Village House of Books and see Toni Piccinini.  Toni's book, The Good-Bye Year:  Surviving Your Child's Senior Year in High School, is terrific.  It takes her daughter's senior year in high school month-by-month and tells the reader how she and her daughter handled the upcoming departure for college. Toni is an accomplished chef, and each chapter comes with a recipe and instructions for cooking a meal that is tied into the month she is describing.  I enjoyed the book a lot.

But even if you don't care about the book (although you will), Toni is bringing home-made bruschetta and a little pinot grigio.  How much of an incentive is that?

Hopefully, we'll see you tomorrow night at 7:00 (or a little before for the food and wine).

Friday Night of Grand Opening Week Was a Huge Hit

Our 3rd night of Grand Opening week, last Friday, was fantastic.  Meg Waite Clayton is a NYTimes/USA Today bestselling author who recently came out with her 4th book, The Wednesday Daughters.  I haven't read that one yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed The Four Ms. Bradwells and The Wednesday Sisters.  And Tracy Guzeman recently had her 1st book, The Gravity of Birds, published.  It was terrific.

More importantly, they did a fantastic job.  They read, answered questions, and signed books.  The format is pretty typical of most author events, regardless of bookstore.  But both of these authors were so gracious in their support of a new bookstore even though they had no idea what kind of crowd would be there.  I feel privileged to know them.

Meg Waite Clayton, reading from The Wednesday Daughters

Tracy Guzeman, reading from The Gravity of Birds

Tracy answering a question, with Meg amused in the background

Meg and Tracy, posing with their books

Our very appreciative audience

P.S.  Tracy's mom, Jane, was there.  In fact, she was the 1st one in line to buy Tracy's book!  She is a real character, in the best possible sense.

P.P.S.  Joni and I are part of the 4th Tuesday Book Club at Books, Inc., in Palo Alto.  Meg is also a member.  In fact, she introduced the book club to me.  As accomplished and well-known as Meg is, she is just another member of the book club on book club night.  In fact, I even feel comfortable disagreeing with her during our discussions - but not often.

Authors' Day at the Los Gatos Library

As you can see, On December 3, the Los Gatos Library will have an authors day where 6 local authors will appear, between 11:30-1:30, to read, answer questions, and sign books. If you are a local author, and are interested in being considered for this event, then you can submit an application no later than October 31 directly to Melissa.  Her email address is listed below.

Title: Local Author Day Date: December 3, 2013 Description: Listen to and meet a variety of local authors who will be reading and discussing their work. Q&A and a book signing will take place after the program. Location: Los Gatos Library Hours: 11:30AM - 1:30 PM Cost: free Details Local authors are encouraged to submit an online application by Thursday, October 31st to participate as a presenter in our first, Local Author Day at the library.  We will be selecting 6 authors to fill a 15 minute time slot.  A 30 minute Q&A as well as a book signing will be held after the last author has presented. We will be reviewing applications and contacting authors in early  November.  Any questions can  be sent to mmaglio@losgatosca.gov.

2nd Night of Grand Opening - Darn Good Too

Last night was the 2nd night of the 4 day Grand Opening at Village House of Books.  We had a good turnout for "Date Night."  Our 3 romance writers, Elisabeth Barrett, Jennifer Ryan, and Victoria Johnson, all read a little bit, answered questions, and signed books. Everybody had a good time.  And, just for the record, some of the people that turned out were men.  I could claim that I was there because I'm responsible for booking the authors.  And that's true.  It's also true, however, that I have read one of Elisabeth's romances - and really liked it.  I picked up one book from each of the authors and plan on spending some quality time reading romances.  Maybe I'll get some ideas.  Don't tell Joni. It'll be our little secret.

Here are pictures from last night, with captions on who's who.

Jennifer Ryan and Elisabeth Barrett, holding up their books

Elisabeth Barrett, reading from her book

Victoria Johnson (Los Gatos resident), reading from her book

Jennifer Ryan, answering a question

Opening Night at Village House of Books - a HUGE SUCCESS!!!

Wow, last night was absolutely fantastic.  We all had such a great time.  It started with Mayor Barbara Spector, and other Town of Los Gatos dignitaries, performing a ribbon-cutting ceremony at VHofB's front door.  It took place a little after 5:00 and brought a lot of locals to the bookstore...as did the hour and a half of champagne, wine, and h'ors d'oeveres from 5:30-7:00.  A lot of people wanted to be there to support Cheryl and Steve and, of course, our opening night author, Steve Sporleder.  And as long as they were there, they figured they might as well partake of the food and beverage (and Rodrigo Teague, a local guitar player).

An added bonus to the happy hour (and a half) was the surprise visit by the Mercury News' own Sal Pizarro.  Sal read about the event in the Los Gatos Weekly and decided to show up - even though he's officially on vacation.  What a stand-up guy.  He said that he's going to write about the event when he comes back to work.  Thanks for being there, Sal.

The author event, itself, started right around 7:00.  Parthenia Hicks, our local poet laureate, introduced Steve.  She has been instrumental in helping Steve through the writing crises that every author periodically goes through (from what I've been told).  Then came the man of the hour.  Steve Sporleder read from his new book, Hobo Ashes, answered questions, and signed a ton of books.  In fact, we had to get another box out of his car during the signing period.  I'm sure that Steve S., along with Cheryl and Steve H., were quite okay with that.

As the saying goes, a good time was had by all.  And this was only the 1st night of 3 in a row (plus Saturday afternoon).  Tonight, we have "Date Night," with 3 romance authors at the podium and a rose and chocolate for every woman in the audience.  What can be better than that?  A night out to hear the authors discuss their books and a reward at the end of the evening just for being female.  I'm jealous of all you women.

P.S.  A special thanks to Joni, who took the food and beverages that Cheryl and Steve provided and made sure everything looked good.  Nobody does it better.

Cheryl and Steve flanking the mayor

Mayor Spector, the Town dignitaries, and Cheryl and Steve Hare

Steve Sporleder and Parthenia Hicks on either side of Sal Pizarro

Parthenia Hicks introducing Steve Sporleder

Steve Sporleder pretending to be embarrassed by Parthenia Hicks' glowing introduction

Steve Sporleder talking to the audience during the Q and A

IT'S FINALLY HERE! The Grand Opening at Village House of Books Starts Tonight

Okay, sports fan and book lovers, the day has arrived.  Mayor Barbara Spector, and other local town officials, will be cutting the ribbon at Village House of Books at 5:00 this afternoon.  This will be followed by guitar-playing from a local musician along with hor's d'oevres and wine.  Then at 7:00, local poet, Parthinia Hicks, will be introducing Steve Sporleder, who will read from Hobo Ashes, answer questions, and sign books.

Wait, there's more!  Tomorrow night we have 3 local romance authors, Elisabeth Barrett, Jennifer Ryan, and Victoria M. Johnson, who will also read, answer Q's, and sign.  Not only that, every woman/girl who attends will receive a rose and chocolates. Come on, how cool is that?

Is that it?  Not by a long shot.  Friday night we have 2 esteemed authors, Meg Waite Clayton and Tracy Guzeman.  They will continue the format from the previous 2 nights. You are going to be very excited to talk to a NY Times bestselling author (Meg) and a debut author who has received a ton of positive reviews.  Oh, try to come a little bit early so that you can partake of the proseco and munchies.  As long as it's there, you might as well enjoy it.

Wow, that is some week, no?  What?  There's more, you say?  On Saturday, local children's author, Julie Dart, will be reading from her book, Ellie Stands Up to the Bully. And Ellie will be there.  Bring your kids.  There will be snacks for them (including a juice box - outstanding!).

Okay, now I'm done.  Take advantage of this outstanding new independent bookstore. Come to 1 event or all 4.  You will love the events and, especially, Cheryl and Steve Hare, the owners.  They are bringing a community bookstore to our community.

Still Working Backwards on My 4 Nights in a Row - Richard North Patterson Is up Next

Our 2nd of 4 nights in a row was at Book Passage in Corte Madera.  We went to see Richard North Patterson, who has just come out with his 20th novel(!), Loss of Innocence. I am a huge RNP fan.  In fact, he is in Volume I, February 19, 2011, AND Volume II, February 18, 2012, of my Fiction for the Non-Fiction Reader.  Exile is one of my favorite books from the last few years (I), and Protect and Defend (II) is also terrific.

Loss of Innocence is a prequel to Fall of Grace.  It takes place in 1968, which RNP considers the most historical of years for our generation (yes, I am a baby boomer, along with RNP - we're 2 years apart).  In fact, Gloria Steinem, no less, told him that he got the details for this book right (anybody have any bras to burn?).

Here is Goodreads' synopsis:

Loss of Innocence, the second book in the Blaine trilogy, “in one life of the 1960s, symbolizes a movement that keeps changing all our lives” (Gloria Steinem) in “a richly-layered look at the loss of innocence not only among his characters but that which America lost as a nation." (Martha’s Vineyard Times) “An extraordinary novel—profound, emotionally involving and totally addictive,” said actor and author Stephen Fry, “this may be Richard North Patterson’s best work.”
America is in a state of turbulence, engulfed in civil unrest and uncertainty. Yet for Whitney Dane- spending the summer of her twenty-second year on Martha’s Vineyard--life could not be safer, nor the future more certain. Educated at Wheaton, soon to be married, and the youngest daughter of the all-American Dane family, Whitney has everything she has ever wanted, and is everything her all-powerful and doting father, Charles Dane, wants her to be. But the Vineyard’s still waters are disturbed by the appearance of Benjamin Blaine. An underprivileged, yet fiercely ambitious and charismatic figure, Blaine is a force of nature neither Whitney nor her family could have prepared for.

As Ben’s presence begins to awaken independence within Whitney, it also brings deep-rooted family tensions to a dangerous head. And soon Whitney’s set-in-stone future becomes far from satisfactory, and her picture-perfect family far from pretty.

An acknowledged master of the courtroom thriller, Patterson’s Blaine trilogy, a bold and surprising departure from his past novels, is a complex family drama pulsing with the tumult of the time and “dripping with summer diversions, youthful passion and ideals, class tensions, and familial disruptions.” (Library Journal)(less)

Sound good?  Heck yes.  I know I'll be reading it.  In fact, it's already way up  the ridiculously high queue. I enjoy anything he writes.

I know.  The picture is not too good.

Better.

Grand Opening Authors AND PICTURES

Okay, I have been telling you now for weeks about the Grand Opening at Village House of Books.  But I haven't yet shown you what these authors look like.  Well, now you get to see them.  And heeeeere they are:

Wednesday, October 23, Steve Sporleder

Thursday, October 24, Elisabeth Barrett

Thursday, October 24, Jennifer Ryan

Thursday, October 24, Victoria M. Johnson

Friday, October 25, Meg Waite Clayton

Friday, October 25, Tracy Guzeman

Saturday, October 26, Julie Dart

A Sneak Preview of Our Grand Opening Children's Author - Julie Dart

As you all know by now, Julie Dart is the children's author who closes out the Grand Opening week at Village House of Books.  She will be reading and signing Ellie Stands Up to the Bully next Saturday, October 26, at 2:00.  Well, we got a sneak preview today. Julie is camping out in Campbell (right outside of Stack's) today and tomorrow from 10:30-12:30.  We were able to stop by today and buy a book, with ALL of the proceeds going to The Gentle Barn.  Here is one picture of Julie signing books and another picture of her with Ellie, talking to a young fan.

People, COME TO THE GRAND OPENING.  Here's the lineup again:

Wednesday, October 23 - Steve Sporleder, lifetime Los Gatos resident, launching his new novel, Hobo 

   Ashes - 7:00

Thursday, October 24 - "Date Night" - Elisabeth Barrett, Jennifer Ryan (newly crowned NYTimes bestselling author), Victoria M. Johnson - 7:00

Friday, October, 25 - "Proseco and Prose" - NYTimes bestselling author Meg Waite Clayton and Tracy 

   Guzeman - 7:00

Saturday, October 26 - Julie Dart - 2:00

I hope to see a bunch of you this coming week.

Helene Wecker at the JCC, Los Gatos - Working Backwards

The 3rd of the 4 straight nights was at the JCC in Los Gatos.  Helene Wecker was the featured (and only) author for a new JCC program called "Schmooze with the Author" (for all of you who are not well-versed in Yiddish, it basically means to shoot the breeze/chat). And that's exactly what we all did.  We chatted.  As you can see in the picture, the chairs were arranged in a circle.  She was introduced by the JCC employee in charge of the event, and then Helene spent about 10-15 minutes talking about her journey to becoming a published author.  After that, it was opened up for questions.  Just like Jamie the night before, there was no time limit to the question and answer period.  2 hours were allotted for the whole event, including book signing.  It was more than enough time, but all of us got to ask the questions that were on our minds.

I read The Golem and the Jinni back in April.  I liked it a lot.  I gave it a 3.0, which is a very solid rating for me.  It's another debut author/novel that hits the mark.  We're very fortunate here in the Bay Area to have so many talented authors.  Helene is definitely in that group.  This is the 2nd time I have seen her (the 1st time was at Rakestraw Books in Danville earlier this year), and I have learned something new about her each time.

And here's a very important piece of news:  Helene is coming to Village House of Books on Wednesday night, January 27, at 7:00.  Her book comes out in paperback earlier that month, and VHofB will have both hardcovers and paperbacks on hand for your reading and signing pleasure.  Mark your calendars.  She's delightful.

Week 16 Recommendations (I'm getting bored with these lists - you?)

Here are the 25 recs for week 16.  I could be winding down on these lists (as you could probably tell from the title).  I would really appreciate some feedback on whether I should continue or not. Please say yay or nay.

Shannon Mayer, Priceless (#1, Rylee Adamson), urban fantasy - To Be Continued
Sarah Ayoub, Hate Is Such A Strong Word, YA, multicultural - All the Books I Can
   Read
Hillary Jordan, Mudbound, post-WWI, race relations - Estella's Revenge
Kristen Higgins, The Best Man, contemporary romance - Bookfan
Audrey Niffenegger, The Night Bookmobile, contemporary, fantasy, graphic
   novel - Bookish Ardour
Graeme Simison, The Rosie Project (debut), light romance - Booking Mama
The Moosewood Collective, Moosewood Restaurant Favorites, cookbook (duh) -
   Bibliophile by the Sea
Jake Wallis Simons, The English German Girl, WWII - Diary of an Eccentric
Mingmei Yip, The Nine Fold Heaven (sequel to Skeleton Woman, but stands
   alone - Silver's Reviews
Rob Reid, Year Zero, science fiction, humor - BookHounds
Sofie Kelly, Final Catcall (#5, Magical Cats), cozy mystery - To Be Continued
Susan Gregg Gilmore, The Funeral Dress - Silver's Reviews
Time, Top 5 of Everything, Tallest, Tastiest, Fastest, Time for Kids - Booking Mama
Time, Big Book of Why, Crazy, Cool, Outrageous - Booking Mama
Stephen King, Doctor Sleep, horror (really?) - Under My Apple Tree
Christine Henry, Black Wings (#1, Black Wings), urban fantasy - To Be Continued
Tom Franklin/Beth Ann Fennelly, The Tilted World, fiction based on the Great Flood
   of 1927 - Rhapsody in Books
Janice Spina/John Spina, Ricky the Rambunctious Raccoon, children's - Mazorbooks
Allison Leotta, Speak of the Devil (#3), suspense thriller - Booking Mama
Ann Mah, Mastering the Art of French Eating, memoir - BermudaOnion
Jennifer Dubois, Cartwheel, literary/psychological thriller - Booking Mama
J.L. Flynn, The Long Game (#1, American Gypsy), new adult - Feed Your Fiction
   Addiction
Ayun Halliday/Paul Hoppe, Peanut, graphic novel - Estella's Revenge
Cathleen Schine, Fin & Lady - Bibliophile by the Sea
Julie Cross, Letters to Nowhere, mature YA - BookHounds

Jamie Ford and His New Book

Last night was the 4th of 4 nights in a row that I attended author events.  I'm obviously taking them out of order because I'm still basking in the glow of 4 straight.  The event was at the Glass Door Gallery, on Columbus Street, in San Francisco.  It is part of Litquake, 9 days of book-related activities that are taking place all around the Bay Area (from the 11th-19th).  As you all surely must remember(!), I was at the 1-day Litquake confab at the JCC in Palo Alto a few months back.  And that was great fun.  So you can imagine the enormous amount of events that have been lined up for these 9 days.

But onto Jamie.  I read Jamie's 1st book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, back in January of this year.  It was published in 2009, but it, obviously, took me awhile to get to. I loved it.  I gave it a 3.5 and will definitely have it among my favorite books of 2013.  Now he's promoting his 2nd book (actually, it's his 3rd, but the 2nd one wasn't to Jamie's liking, so he bypassed it), Songs of Willow Frost.  Like Hotel, this one takes place in Seattle. Unlike Hotel, it is about the Depression and not WWII.  Although I have a TBR pile of 20 books that are actually physically in a pile, I will get this moved close to the top as soon as possible.  This is a very good author.

And, besides all of that, Jamie is a very engaging speaker.  He's very funny, in a low-key way, and shows the proper amount of humility.  With all of the author events I go to, I'm always interested to see how much humble-pie vs. ego-pie an author shows.  Jamie's humble-pie was just the right amount.  He read a couple of pages, but not too many, and spent the rest of the time answering questions.  At many author readings/signings, the questions get cut off pretty quickly because of timelines.  In this case, everybody's questions were answered - even the guy who really wanted to just talk about himself but threw in a question at the end of his diatribe for credibility purposes.

There were 40-50 people there, and it cost $10.00 to get in.  That got you free h'ors d'oevres (pita with hummus and cookies - a little skimpy, I must say) and the honor of buying glasses of wine.  All in all, a fun evening.  And, Jamie:  Next time you're in town, let's get you down to Village House of Books.  You'll like the store.

The Most Famous Book Set In Every State (courtesy of businessinsider.com)

Little Free Library

This is a very cool idea.  Take a look.  You can go to littlefreelibrary.org for all of the details.  And I'm sorry for the small size of the font.  It was the only way I could make it fit.

The History of Little Free Library

The very first Little Free Library
built by Todd in honor of his mother.

In the beginning—2009–Todd Bol of Hudson, Wisconsin, built a model of a one room schoolhouse as a tribute to his mother, a former school teacher who loved reading.  He filled it with books and put it on a post in his front yard.  His neighbors and friends loved it.  He built several more and gave them away.  Each one had a sign that said FREE BOOKS.

Rick Brooks of Madison, whom he met at a seminar on promoting green practices and a vibrant local economy for Hudson, entered the picture as a colleague exploring potential social enterprises.  The two saw opportunities to achieve a wide variety of goals for the common good.

They were inspired by many different ideas:

• Andrew Carnegie’s support of 2,509 free public libraries around the turn of the 19^th to 20^th century.
• The heroic achievements of Miss Lutie Stearns, a librarian who brought books to nearly 1400 locations in Wisconsin through “traveling little libraries” between 1895 and 1914.
• “Take a book, leave a book” collections in coffee shops and public spaces.
• Neighborhood kiosks, TimeBanking and community gift-sharing networks
• Grassroots empowerment movements in Sri Lanka, India and other countries worldwide.

---

Growth and New Ideas.

Dr. Tariq Saleem Marwat, a Little Free Library champion,
Lakki Marwat, Pakistan

By the summer of 2010 the mission and purposes served by Todd Bol’s first construction were becoming more clear.  The original models had all been built with recycled materials.  Each was unique but all shared the theme of exchanging good books and bringing people together for something positive.

The names “Habitat for the Humanities,” “House of Stories” soon gave way to what more and more people called Little Free Libraries.   Early adopters of this little innovation became key connectors with friends and supporters.  Their role as stewards were critical to the movement’s growing success.

---

Our Mission

• To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
• To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity and wisdom across generations.

Our Goal

To build 2,510 Little Free Libraries—as many as Andrew Carnegie—and keep going.*

Key Stategies

Promote reading for children, literacy for adults and libraries around the world.

---

With no startup or operating capital, no office or paid staff, the concept was evolving into an enterprise reaching communities far beyond a front yard next to the St. Croix River in Hudson.

Thousands of books have passed through this Little Free Library outside of Indie Coffee in Madison, WI.

The first official Little Free Library outside the Hudson area was posted by a bike path behind the Absolutely Art Gallery and Café Zoma on the east side of Madison I the summer of 2010.  By the time of the Willy Street Fair in September, thousands of people had seen or heard about the Absolutely Art Library.  The process of giving away Bol’s creations began to require a way to cover expenses to build many more than he could handle by himself.  Amish carpenter Henry Miller of rural Cashton, Wisconsin became the primary craftsman, using  wood recycled from a 100 year-old barn destroyed in a tornado.

Giving away Little Libraries and hand-crafted signs with official Little Free Library charter numbers began to generate curiosity and “word of mouth” story sharing. The www.littlefreelibrary.org website and a loyal cadre of volunteers made it possible to expand the organizational reach beyond the co-founders to a movement centered in the enthusiasm and commitment of stewards who hosted and often built their own neighborhood Libraries.  Some small grants, informal partnerships and alliances began to have an impact on Little Free Library’s ability to keep up with demand.

And the rest…is history, documented in newspapers, blogs and broadcasts throughout the world.  The year 2011 brought local, regional and national media attention to the backyard project that had become a movement.  With nearly 400 Little Free Libraries across the U.S. by the end of the year, the founders knew it was time to become a formal, independent organization.  In May, 2012, Little Free Library was officially established as a Wisconsin nonprofit corporation with a board of directors.  In September, the Internal Revenue Service granted tax-exempt status.

*This goal was reached in August of 2012, a year and a half before our original target date.  By January of 2014, the total number of registered Little Free Libraries in the world is conservatively estimated to be between 10,000 and 12,000, with thousands more being built.

Recommendations for Week 15 (are you tired of these yet?)

What gems do we have for Week 15?  Beats me.  I haven't read any of them!

Susan Mallery, Christmas on 4th St. (#12.5, Fool's Gold), contemporary romance -
   Bookfan
JoJo Moyes, You Before Me - BermudaOnion
Jessica Sorenson, Breaking Nova (#1, Nova) - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Matthew Quick, Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock, YA - Bibliophile by the Sea
Tracey Ward, Sleepless (#1, Bird of Stone), mature YA - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Chris Bohjalian, The Light in the Ruins, historical fiction, literary thriller - Booking Mama
Tomie dePaola, Adelita, Retelling of Cinderella in English/Spanish, young readers -
    Rhapsody in Books
Madeleine Roux, Allison Hewitt Is Trapped, zombie apocalypse - Feed Your Fiction
   Addiction
Charles Belfoure, The Paris Architect, historical fiction, WWII - Silver's Reviews
Fiona Palmer, The Outback Heart, rural romance - All the Books I Can Read
Barbara Delinsky, Sweet Salt Air, contemporary women's fiction - Bookfan
Daniel Kalla, The Far Side of the Sky (#1 of trilogy), historical fiction - Diary of an
   Eccentric
Daniel Kalla, Rising Sun, Falling Shadow (#2 of trilogy), historical fiction - Diary of an
   Eccentric, Booking Mama
Dan Jones, The Plantagenets, historical fiction, monarchs of England, 13th & 14th
   centuries - Carole P. Roman, author
Marie Houblon, A World of Colors, National Geographic, children's illustrated, ages 2-6
   - Stacy's Books
Julianne Donaldson, Blackmoore:  A Proper Romance, regency romance - Bookfan
Jussi Adler-Olsen, Redemption (#3, Department Q), Danish detective series - All the
   Books that I Can Read
Ilsa Evans, Nefarious Doings (#1, a Nell Forest mystery) - book'd out
Ilsa Evans, Ill-Gotten Gains (#2, a Nell Forest mystery) - book'd out
Hallie Durand/Tony Fucile, Mitchell Goes Bowling, preschoolers, early elementary -
   BermudaOnion
Emma Trevayne, Coda, post-apocalyptic - BookHounds
Al Perkins/Eric Gurney, The Digging-est Dog, children's fiction - Musings of a Bookish
   Kitty
Debbie Macomber, Starry Night, Christmas romance - Bookfan
Rainbow Rowell, Fangirl, teen - BermudaOnion
Ernest Cline, Ready Player One, YA futuristic - Musings of a Bookish Kitty

It was a close race this week. Bookfan won with 4, followed by BermudaOnion and Feed Your Fiction Addiction with 3 each.  See you next week.

PROGRAM NOTES AND EDITORIALS:  I've got 4 straight days of author events, starting tomorrow.  I should have a lot of event reports coming up next week.  And I haven't forgotten that I promised some more reviews!  In fact, if I'm not mistaken, I was a bit snarky about it.  For those who haven't already, please ignore my outbursts.

Halloween Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers - From Jessica Howard, The Quirky Bookworm

Great Halloween Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers Posted: 11 Oct 2013 12:00 PM PDT I can't believe it's already Halloween time again! Last year I highlightedfive awesome Halloween books that Eleanor was enjoying; but this year I had to add to the mix, because she likes reading more, and she's into longer stories. So here are nine great books (I promise! Nothing banal or boring!) that your toddler or preschooler will enjoy.   Ages 1 - 4 Clifford's First Halloween by Norman Bridwell. Emily Elizabeth is trying to find the perfect costume for her tiny puppy Clifford. Cute as Clifford books usually are. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills. Bright, happy illustrations that toddlers will love and an ironic text that will make parents chuckle. Win-win. Rating: 5 out of 5 Halloween Mice! by Bethany Roberts. This one is cute - and the mice are clever as they scare away a cat. Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Spot's Halloween by Eric Hill. Spot and his friends are trying to find the best costumes to wear for Halloween. Perfect for younger toddlers. Rating: 4 out of 5 What Is Halloween? by Harriet Ziefert. Little Mouse goes trick-or-treating for the first time, and the lift-the-flap adventure lets toddlers participate in her excitement about the holiday. Rating:4 out of 5  Corduroy's Halloween by B.G. Hennessy. Adorable lift-the-flaps follow Corduroy and his friends as they decorate for Halloween and go trick-or-treating. There's one random moment - when the trick or treaters show up at Corduroy's door, and say "Trick or Treat for UNICEF!" I just leave the UNICEF out though, and Eleanor loves searching for the black cat hiding on every page. Rating: 4.5 out of 5.     Ages 3 - 6   It's Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall. I really, really love this one. It shows pumpkins growing from seeds to jack-o-lanterns, explaining the whole growing process and then going into Halloween traditions. Rating: 5 out of 5 Angelina's Halloween by Katherine Holabird. Eleanor loves Angelina Ballerina anyway - but Angelina Ballerina in a firefly costume?! 3 year old bliss. Rating: 4 out of 5 Monster Math by Anne Miranda. This one isn't a Halloween book per se - but it's full of monsters arriving in increments at a birthday party; teaching addition and subtraction along the way. There are Frankensteins and skeletons among the monsters, so it feels Halloween-ish. Rating: 4 out of 5