Steve thinks spending his holiday helping his father run his pharmacy and shop is a boring idea in this early reader from the UK, and then a series of creepy customers come by and show him what excitement is. From a witch to a vampire, a werewolf to a headless horseman, he discover that his dad is right in saying that you never know who will come in the door, when you're running a store...

Although there are basic chapter divisions here, Creepy Customers is a little two simplistic to be described as a proper chapter-book, which I have always understood to be a very simple novel, usually (but not always) under one hundred pages. I initially sought it out because of the witchy cover art - witchy picture-books and early readers are a pet project of mine - but found the other creepy customers appealing as well, and enjoyed the book as a whole. A simple but engaging story from author Samantha Hay is paired with deliciously spooky artwork from illustrator Sarah Warburton. Recommended to early-readers who enjoy spooky tales. ( )

It is the first day of summer break, and the boy in this book has to help his dad at the shop. Upset that he cannot do anything else, he is sullen until he starts to get customers. By the end of the day, he does not want to leave the shop, because of all the interesting people he has seen. Large text and chapters at easy stopping points within the story make the book easily understandable for readers who are not yet ready for chapter books. Sketch illustrations aid in the understanding and the humor of the story. Recommended for public libraries. Ages 6-8. ( )