How to Haunt a House by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Edward Miller. Albert Whitman, 2021. 9780807534267
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: ARC (9/21 pub date)
Genre: Holiday (Halloween) picture book
What did you like about the book? A cute story in rhythmic rhyme about a group of young ghosties who must test their “ghost technique” by haunting three houses. Groana, Moana and Shrieky do just fine in the first two houses inhabited by regular humans, by making scary sounds and engaging in general spooking. The last house proves a bit harder, as it involves a green-skinned monster family. Finally the ghosties realize a different approach is needed, and they use bunnies, chicks, buttercups, and other happy things to cause the monsters to go shrieking into the night.
If you need one more Halloween book, especially one that doesn’t explicitly mention Halloween by name, this is a good choice. The digital art is sweet, kid friendly and not the least bit scary. The rhyming scheme is well done, and kids will enjoy joining in on the repeating refrain “Now go, my little ghosties, go!”
Anything you didn’t like about it? No
To whom would you recommend this book? For ages 4-8, for Halloween, or for fans of ghosts in their stories.
Who should buy this book? Day care centers, elementary schools and public libraries
Where would you shelve it ? Picture books, or holiday (Halloween) collections
Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Stephanie Tournas, Robbins Library, Arlington, MA
Date of review: August 19, 2021
Youth Services Book Review 
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