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Over in the Hollow
Common Sense says
- Rebecca Dickinson
- Holiday
- 2009
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know this slightly spooky book is a Halloween take on the Olive A. Wadsworth’s counting rhyme, “Over in the Meadow.” The werewolf, witch, and monster denizens of this night world are neither too cute nor too scary.
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What's the story?
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!”
Is it any good?
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.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the unique families in this book. Do any of them seem much like yours? How are they similar or different? Each family has something to say -- what would your family say?
Count the little creatures on each page. Which family has the same number of kids as yours? Find other things to count in each spread, such as the mice with the cats.
Book details
- Author: Rebecca Dickinson
- Illustrator: S. Britt
- Genre: Holiday
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Chronicle Books
- Publication date: August 19, 2009
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 36
For kids who love Halloween
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.