Brother and sister Sam and Daphne head to the Heebie-Jeebie Jamboree one Halloween night in this entertaining holiday picture book from author/illustrator Mary Ann Fraser. Held in the local graveyard, this spooky spectacle was put on by the local monsters, and included fun rides—a merry-go-round with skeleton horses!—a circus with gross treats like eyes cream, a witches' brew-off, and a fun crypt. Also on offer were a goblin pie contest, a haunted house, and a spectral rock-and-rock concert. As the night drew to a close, and everything faded away, the children headed home, tired but happy...

Heebie-Jeebie Jamboree is the first book I have read from Fraser, whose work was unknown to me when I picked it up from my library's Halloween display a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it quite a bit, appreciating the author's inventive Halloween take on classic fun fair activities. The accompanying artwork, done in acrylics, was colorful and fun, with a speckled quality that at times made me think of the pointillist technique. In any case, while this isn't destined to become one of my own holiday favorites, it does offer solid Halloween fun, and is one I recommend to picture book audiences with a taste for tastes that are a little but spooky and a lot bit fun. ( )

Cheerful, fun story about trick-or-treating siblings. ( )