Over in the Hollow (by Rebecca Dickinson)

In this clever variation on the classic poem, “Over in the Meadow,” vampires, mummies, and the like bite, lurch, and moan through the hollow. It starts with “a giant mother spider and her little spidey one” spinning cobwebs and counts up to 13 little ghosts and their mama with a “Boo!”

With rhymes that don’t miss a beat and 13 moaning, groaning, and growling characters, this is a very enjoyable read-aloud. The comforting repetition makes the sound effects -- "'EEK!' shrieks the papa./'WE EEK!' shriek the ten." -- that much more fun.
S. Britt’s illustrations are rich with pattern and texture, bringing depth to the shadowy night. There are plenty of glowing eyes and sharp teeth, but the scare factor is very low. Kids and adults will enjoy the funny touches on each page, such as the werewolf wrangling his eight pups on leashes, a bat sporting aviator glasses, and the little vampires hanging by their teeth off their grandpa, whose own teeth are in a glass by his coffin.

Full of detail and humorous touches and rich with pattern and texture, bringing depth to the shadowy night.

Author: Rebecca Dickinson
Illustrator: S. Britt
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication date: August 19, 2009
Number of pages: 36
Hardcover price: $15.99
Read Aloud: 3
Read Alone: 6