Boo!: Halloween Poems and Limericks

by Patricia Hubbell, Jeff Spackman (Illustrator)

The author of A Grass Green Gallop presents a collection of limericks and other poems about Halloween, including "Halloween Scarecrow," "There Once Was a Witch from North Dublin," and "Pumpkin Surprise."

Genres: Poetry, Halloween, Picture Books, Holiday, Fiction

Hardcover

First published October 1, 1998

About the author

Patricia Hubbell has been writing poetry since she was eleven years old.
In 1998, her Wrapping Paper Romp was selected as a Parents Magazine Book of the Year.
Patricia Hubbell lives with her husband, Harold Hornstein, in Easton, Connecticut, the small town where she was born.
Remembering how much their children and grandchildren loved to bounce when they were very young prompted her to write Bouncing Time. "Bouncing is one of the joyous things little kids do," she says. "It reflects their constant enthusiasm."

Reviews

[Set · Rating 5 out of 5]

There once was a witch from North Dublin
Whose trouble kept doublin' and doublin'-
Her best broomstick broke,
Her hat turned to smoke,
Her cauldron refused to get bubblin'.

A Ghost from the town of LaFrance
Taught a Goblin named Rosie to dance.
As they waltzed to and fro
He trod on her toe
Which ended their budding romance.

[Elaine Cunningham · Rating 2 out of 5]

At its best, poetry for children can be clever, whimsical, funny, musical, or evocative. The poems in this collection are none of these things. The illustrations, unfortunately, match the quality of the verse.

Not recommended.

[Anne Wi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun Halloween read. The artwork in it is simply fantastic. I was really blown away by it.

[Aarvik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read a little bit!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

If the poems don't give you the creeps, the illustrations will! The poems were great, but the illustrations are what made this book because they are so vivid. It's like looking at images from your childhood nightmares. The poems themselves are wonderful as well. They are all about Halloween or things associated with Halloween (ghost, witches, pumpkins, etc.) Most of them rhyme and they all are fairly lengthy.

I would use this book during October and the Halloween season. I would probably read a poem a day to begin class or end class instead of reading the book all the way through in one sitting.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy, crawly illustrations accompany poems and limericks in these Halloween ghostly encounters.

Used for "Fall for Pumpkins" storytime-October, 2009.

[Sarah]

Not a big fan of these poems, I like Adam Rex's Frankenstein verses better.

[Randy Imwalle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice book of original Halloween verse. I loved the limericks and The Old House on Halloween made me feel sad for an old house! The illustrations are top-notch too.

[Carol Mcgloshen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A variety of poems for students of all ages.

[Jennybug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super creepy book. I feel like this book would be good for older children. You would most likely want to break up threading as some of the poems are quite long.