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The World of Gustavo
Monsters Play... Trick or Treat!
Trick or treat, which will it be? A monstrously sweet lift-the-flap book from the acclaimed creator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost.
It’s Halloween night, and Shelley can’t wait to play trick or treat! What’s behind this first door? It’s a trick! Gustavo and his creepy-crawlies! How about the next door? It’s a treat! Mandy with her beautiful jack-o’-lanterns! Little readers will gleefully “knock” on each door, lifting the flaps to discover tricks (such as Vlad in a spider costume) or treats (like Leila’s yummy cakes). With a fun interactive element and bright, cheery illustrations, Flavia Z. Drago weaves in cameos by characters from her other books to make this a Halloween treat for old fans and new friends.
It’s Halloween night, and Shelley can’t wait to play trick or treat! What’s behind this first door? It’s a trick! Gustavo and his creepy-crawlies! How about the next door? It’s a treat! Mandy with her beautiful jack-o’-lanterns! Little readers will gleefully “knock” on each door, lifting the flaps to discover tricks (such as Vlad in a spider costume) or treats (like Leila’s yummy cakes). With a fun interactive element and bright, cheery illustrations, Flavia Z. Drago weaves in cameos by characters from her other books to make this a Halloween treat for old fans and new friends.
- GenresHalloween
18 pages, Board Book
Published July 14, 2026
About the author
Flavia Z. Drago
10 books97 followersFlavia Z. Drago was born and raised in Mexico City. As a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When that didn’t happen, she began her career as a graphic designer and a children’s book illustrator. She loves color, textures, and shapes and enjoys creating them with different materials and a bit of digital sorcery. Her first picture book, Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, has been highly acclaimed. She lives in Mexico.
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August 16, 2026See my full review here: https://yabookscentral.com/monsters-p...
MONSTERS PLAY... TRICK OR TREAT is a colorful lift-the-flap board book. The book takes the reader along with Shelley the bat to go trick-or-treating. At each door, Shelley finds either a trick or a treat from one of her friends.
What I loved: This was a cute Halloween-themed adventure with the thrill of peeking behind each door. Descriptive text helps to name the characters and tell the readers what they are doing and label each as a trick or a treat. This is perfect for little readers who will need the narration. The illustrations are full of detail and color with a lot of fun settings and different looking houses/doors suited to each of the characters. Recognizable characters from the World of Gustavo will delight young readers who will enjoy seeing familiar faces.
What left me wanting more: Many preschool parents will be able to relate to wanting to cut back on some of the potty talk, so the door with Damian and his "festering fart" may not be a favorite for caregivers. Young readers will definitely giggle though. As a another small thing, the doors are cardstock thickness, which can make them easy for rough little fingers to tear. The back of the doors has the text about what is found, but this can be narrated without if any doors are removed.
Final verdict: MONSTERS PLAY... TRICK OR TREAT is a colorful lift-the-flap board book that young readers will enjoy around Halloween.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
MONSTERS PLAY... TRICK OR TREAT is a colorful lift-the-flap board book. The book takes the reader along with Shelley the bat to go trick-or-treating. At each door, Shelley finds either a trick or a treat from one of her friends.
What I loved: This was a cute Halloween-themed adventure with the thrill of peeking behind each door. Descriptive text helps to name the characters and tell the readers what they are doing and label each as a trick or a treat. This is perfect for little readers who will need the narration. The illustrations are full of detail and color with a lot of fun settings and different looking houses/doors suited to each of the characters. Recognizable characters from the World of Gustavo will delight young readers who will enjoy seeing familiar faces.
What left me wanting more: Many preschool parents will be able to relate to wanting to cut back on some of the potty talk, so the door with Damian and his "festering fart" may not be a favorite for caregivers. Young readers will definitely giggle though. As a another small thing, the doors are cardstock thickness, which can make them easy for rough little fingers to tear. The back of the doors has the text about what is found, but this can be narrated without if any doors are removed.
Final verdict: MONSTERS PLAY... TRICK OR TREAT is a colorful lift-the-flap board book that young readers will enjoy around Halloween.
Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 of 1 review