February 2012 Notable Toys — Halloween Merchandise

Out of all the holidays, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford like Halloween the most. They play games, trick-or-treat in the neighborhood, and tell ghost stories. Best of all, they can wear costumes. Clown, witch, knight, or ghost—what will Clifford decide to dress up as this year?
— Lynda Blankenship from Smart Toys & Books in Knoxville, Tenn., told TDmonthly in a December 2011 survey about Halloween that, "any Halloween books with established characters, like Clifford or Fancy Nancy," tend to do well.

The fun traditions of Halloween are celebrated in this engaging picture book in which the whole family prepares for the big day. Daddy carves the pumpkin into a scary monster face, while Mommy makes pumpkin soup and pumpkin cakes with the trimmings. Everyone makes scary costumes for the neighborhood Halloween party. After bobbing for apples, the children travel door to door collecting sweets and singing scary songs. When the excitement is over, the makeup and costumes come off, and it is time to crawl into bed, forget about the ghosts and goblins, and dream of next year's celebration. Simple shapes and just the right amount of spooky suspense introduce youngsters to a favorite holiday. Launch date: Fall 2011.