When Tacky the penguin's pals decide to decorate their home as "a haunted igloo," they bustle about, preparing fright-themed treats, decking the halls with cobwebs and skeletons, and making costumes based on their greatest fears t Tacky can't decide what to wear. He tastes the snacks, trundles off to think, and soon falls fast asleep. Meanwhile, guests come to join the fun. They party. They leave. Suddenly, the dreaded hunters appear and threaten the little penguins. Even kids unfamiliar with Tacky the Penguin (1988) or Tacky's Christmas (2010) will recognize that these three hunters are very bad news. Fortunately, Tacky arrives in costume, intimidates the villains, and drives them away. With its lively dialogue, Lester's text reads aloud well, while Munsinger's expressive ink-and-­watercolor illustrations make the most of the story's emotional extremes. Both funny and scary, this entry in the popular Tacky the Penguin series is entertaining from first to last. Children will enjoy watching this strange little bird outwit the brutish bullies and send them packing. A Halloween treat for Tacky fans.

K-Gr 2 Tacky has another hit on his hands. The eccentric penguin yet again finds a way to save the day as the hunters make their way to ruin a very festive, and very haunted, Halloween. This engaging tale has a timely twist that will certainly incur some giggles as the penguins dress up as what they are most afraid of; kids will relate to fears of the dark, thunderstorms, monsters, and in Perfect's casebubbles. Turning their fears into silly costumes will open up the possibilities for young readers to discuss their own fears and how to face them just as Tacky does. As usual, Tacky's entrance is timely and funny, as his costume turns out to be the best of all even after the penguin has a big think (aka a nap). Fans won't be disappointed in this addition, and readers not yet familiar with the character will find this to be a wondrous introduction. VERDICT A first purchase for general collections and holiday alike. Ashley Prior, Lincoln Public Library, RI