Horn Book

This holiday version of the classic counting-down rhyme begins with ten trick-or-treaters setting out for an evening of fun. As each is frightened off by a spider or witch, their numbers diminish until the last one climbs into bed. Although some rhymes are forced, the warm, bright illustrations mitigate any Halloween scariness, making this a sweet treat.

Kirkus Reviews

Schulman gives the traditional count-down book a Halloween twist in this adaptation of the classic rhyme involving monkeys bouncing on a bed. When ten children embark upon an evening of candy-collecting, they meet up with a motley crew of Halloween creatures. From a harmless toad to a monster on the prowl for candy, the trick-or-treaters' numbers lessen by one with each eerie encounter. Schulman's verses successfully match the bouncy rhythm of the traditional rhyme while incorporating more whimsical aspects of Halloween into the descriptions of the children's activities. Davick's brightly hued illustrations go a long way to distill any frightening overtones in the tale. Each creature encountered is carefully depicted as harmless; the bat bears a smiling visage, the "mummy" is obviously a fellow trick-or-treater with purple polka-dotted underwear poking out of its wrappings, etc. Vibrant depictions of clever costumes will set readers to dreaming of their own Halloween escapades and the last page recaps with a Halloween candy graph representing the numerals ten through zero. (Picture book. 3-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Ten children emerge from a violet-tinted apartment building and board a yellow bus: "10 trick-or-treaters.../ standing in a line./ Along came a spider.../ and then there were 9." The celebrants lose their nerve one by one as they encounter a bat, (costumed) monster and other Halloween standbys. Schulman (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Countdown to Spring!) composes another zippy countdown, playfully listing the frights. In appealing pictures as smooth and bright as candy sprinkles, Davick (<EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Ready, Set, Grow!) crafts each child's costume and provides details (such as a licorice-black cat) unmentioned in the bouncy rhyme. Ages 3-8. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Aug.)

School Library Journal

PreS-K-This countdown book begins with a cheery band of 10 masked and costumed children leaving an apartment building to begin their night of fun. As they board a bus to go to a party and trick-or-treat from house to house, their number slowly diminishes as each successive child is frightened off by costumed vampires, mummies, a frog, a bat, and other spooky creatures. The last brave child returns to her apartment, climbs happily into bed, "and then there were none." The book ends with a yummy array of different types of candy that kids will enjoy counting. Schulman's rhythmic text will be enjoyed as a read-aloud as well as by beginning readers. Davick's vibrant graphic art is chockablock with shapes and angles that keep the mood light and the creatures and costumed monsters more fun than frightening. A not-too-scary treat for the youngest Halloween fans.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.