Ruth Paul

A collection of colorful Halloween cookies go on the run in this cute rhyming picture-book from New Zealand author/artist Ruth Paul, escaping from their tin when Little Monster comes to look at them. Running out into the night, they say "Boo!" to all sorts of creatures, from fireflies in a jar to skeletons, witch's cats to ghosts. Eventually they must hide inside a jack-o-lantern, before making their way home...

I was not familiar with Paul's work before picking up her Cookie Boo from my library's Halloween display this past weekend, but am glad to have discovered it. Her rhyming text reads well, rollicking along in a smoothly entertaining way, while her colorful illustrations capture the madcap antics of the colorful cookies on their Halloween adventure. On a personal note, as someone who usually makes decorated Halloween sugar cookies, I was charmed by the "identity" of the protagonists here, as I rarely see decorated sugar cookies in holiday stories, unless they are devoted to Christmas. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for engaging Halloween fare for younger audiences.… (mer)