Children’s Review: Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown

Thanks to the lovely folks at Penguin Random House Canada, I have a perfect-for-summerween children’s book! Let’s take a closer look at Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown with words by acclaimed author Vikki VanSickle and pictures by Jennica Lounsbury. Happy reading!

The more years I spend on this earth, the more I appreciate and relish the idea of summerween and enjoying sweetly, delightfully spooky things all year long. Reading deliciously uncanny stories or spending time with squash-coloured children’s books is one terrific way of celebrating summerween and one I turn to regularly. Now joining my growing roster of adorably ghostly reads is the wonderful Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown written by Canadian author Vikki VanSickle (The Lightning Circle) and illustrated by Canadian artist Jennica Lounsbury (I Built a Rocket Ship with Anna Lazowski). Readers meet Mother Book, “the oldest ghost in town”, who lives in October County, where it is “autumn all the time”:

”The residents of Spookytown are just like you or I. They love a thrilling story – or better yet, a rhyme…/…So when the fields are winter-white or grass is summer-green, just remember in this book it’s always Halloween.” – from Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown

Upon meeting Mother Boo and other residents of Spookytown, readers are treated to a a poem spotlighting the kind and protective of Mother Boo, before learning the actual, true “secret to flying”; practicing numbers with a Countdown to Halloween, counting up to ten, then back down again. It is difficult to narrow down favourites as all of the poems are splendid: from a fantastic werewolf take on Hush, Little Baby, with Werewolves Dance; an Edward Gorey-ish break in meeting friends named Fred and Mark; a cheeky, giggly poem titled Snakes; meeting an Ugga Bugga Baby; and capping festivities with Good Night Spookytown. The poems can be read in any order, of course, but there is a beautiful line linking the poems from beginning to end. Vikki VanSickle’s writing is perfect here- playful, considered in its structure, pacing and rhythm- truly delighting in its range. Jennica Lounsbury’s artwork (pencil and Procreate) is such a happy surprise; skillfully capturing an eerie- almost nostalgic- atmosphere when needed, yet managing to be joyful and tender at the same time.

Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown is a children’s book to savour and revisit, with marvellous artwork bringing a grand mix of poems and rhymes to life. The spectrum of poems in this children’s book is rich- with something for readers and poetry aficionados of all ages. Readers looking to explore more whimsical, warm, and sweetly spooky reads; find something new for the upcoming fall season; or those who simply adore Halloween-ready reads for anytime of the year, Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown is a highly recommended read.

I received a copy of this title courtesy of Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.