I've just been reading through some of our newer Halloween-themed books. Two of my favorites are Miss Smith and the Haunted Library by Michael Garland and Minerva Louise on Halloween by Janet Stoakes.

Miss Smith is an elementary teacher with spiky red hair, who has an Incredible Storybook where reading aloud brings characters out of the book. In this newest book, she takes children to a field trip to meet a spooky librarian, Virginia Creeper, who reads creatures like the Headless Horseman and the giant from Jack and the Beanstalk out of the books for a holiday party. There are two other fun books about Miss Smith and her Incredible Storybook, as well.

The second choice features one of my favorite children's book characters, Minerva Louise, a charming and loveable--if a bit confused--chicken. Like an Amelia Bedelia for the preschool crowd, Minerva Louise perceives the world in her own misguided way. There are several other Minerva Louise books, with a Christmas holiday title on order.

Look for the orange Halloween sticker on the spine of books on the picture book shelves for an easy way to find books about this holiday.