Using the traditional English counting rhyme, Over in the Meadow, as an inspiration, author Erica Silverman spins a spooky tale about the Halloween House on Halloween night in this entertaining picture-book. As two escaped convicts, who appear only in illustrator Jon Agee's artwork, make their way through the house, various monster parents instruct their children on the proper course of action. As the horrified convicts watch in terror, ten werewolves howl, nine vampires rise, eight worms squirm, seven bats swoop, six ghosts book, five monsters chase, four skeletons dance, three spiders swing, two cats pounce, and one little witch flies. Is it any wonder that the convicts flee the house, returning to their cell...?

The Halloween House is an absolute delight! Silverman, who also penned the popular Halloween story to be found in Big Pumpkin, delivers a rollicking, cleverly monstrous take on the old rhyme. Her words fairly trip off the tongue: "In the Halloween house, / on a bed made of pine, / a mama vampire woke / with her little ones, nine. / "Rise," said the mama. / "We rise," said the nine. / So they rose through the night / from the bed made of pine." The artwork by Agee, known for the many droll picture-books of his own that he has produced, adds another layer of story not found in the text, as the convicts make their way through the house. The (visual) conclusion to the tale, which sees the two back in their cell, one holding a sign saying "Home Sweet Home," the other reading a pamphlet featuring an add for cell decor, will end the story on a chuckle. Highly recommended to anyone looking for humorous rhyming counting books with a Halloween flavor. ( )

Two escaped convicts seek shelter in a haunted house! To their surprise all the living and the dead creatures do what they do. The illustrations told a different story but very interesting especially for young children. The illustrations helped with imagery and imagination. I'm not sure if the convicts were necessary except for to laugh at because they were trying to escape and instead went through something horrifying. ( )

Two escaped convicts hide in a scary haunted house. The counting focus/rhyming scheme were a lot of fun although I'm not sure the convicts are totally necessary or even noticable sometimes. Probably could have just made it a counting book about the different creatures living in the house and it would have been fine. ( )

Two escaped convicts hide in a scary haunted house. The counting focus/rhyming scheme were a lot of fun although I'm not sure the convicts are totally necessary or even noticable sometimes. Probably could have just made it a counting book about the different creatures living in the house and it would have been fine. ( )

Two escaped convicts hide in a scary haunted house. The counting focus/rhyming scheme were a lot of fun although I'm not sure the convicts are totally necessary or even noticable sometimes. Probably could have just made it a counting book about the different creatures living in the house and it would have been fine. ( )