Halloween ABC
Encyclopedia
Halloween ABC is a book of poetry for children, written by Eve Merriam
and illustrated by Lane Smith
. It includes a poem related to a scary or Halloween related theme for each letter of the alphabet.
Halloween ABC is on the American Library Association
list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.
The challenges to the book are due to the mismatch that many parents have perceived between the frightening or gruesome subject matter and the age group that an ABC book would usually be intended for.
The School Library Journal
recommends Halloween ABC for children K and up, and states that: “This is not a book for young children to learn the alphabet, but it is a witty, whimsical, and happily shivery book for Halloween sharing. It is also a wonderful book for monster- and horror-loving youngsters at any time of the year and a diabolic way for poetry-loving adults to introduce the work of one of our best contemporary poets [...]”
Eve Merriam
-Writing career:Merriam's first book was the 1946 Family Circle, which won the Yale Younger Poets Prize.Her book, The Inner City Mother Goose, was described as one of the most banned books of the time. It inspired a 1971 Broadway musical called Inner City and a 1982 musical production called Street...
and illustrated by Lane Smith
Lane Smith (illustrator)
Lane Smith is an American children's book author and illustrator.-Background:Smith was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but moved to Corona, California at a young age...
. It includes a poem related to a scary or Halloween related theme for each letter of the alphabet.
Halloween ABC is on the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000.
The challenges to the book are due to the mismatch that many parents have perceived between the frightening or gruesome subject matter and the age group that an ABC book would usually be intended for.
The School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
recommends Halloween ABC for children K and up, and states that: “This is not a book for young children to learn the alphabet, but it is a witty, whimsical, and happily shivery book for Halloween sharing. It is also a wonderful book for monster- and horror-loving youngsters at any time of the year and a diabolic way for poetry-loving adults to introduce the work of one of our best contemporary poets [...]”