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Halloween Night
'Twas Halloween night, Tand all through the house, Every creature was stirring, including the mouse . . .
The witch is cooking. Banshees are singing. The goody bags are oozing with ooey, gooey snacks. Everyone's warming up for the best Halloween party ever.
Get ready for a frighteningly fun time, because you're invited!
The witch is cooking. Banshees are singing. The goody bags are oozing with ooey, gooey snacks. Everyone's warming up for the best Halloween party ever.
Get ready for a frighteningly fun time, because you're invited!
32 pages, Library Binding
First published July 22, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
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September 14, 2021I think this might be my favorite Halloween picture book! The illustrations are spectacular, and you can spend so much time looking through each scene with a little one. The story is fun and is a rhyming one! Rhyming stories help young ones with learning the sounds and patterns of language. This story is the perfect length and such an enjoyable read to put you in the Halloween mood! -- Sarah K.
October 24, 2021
Using Clement C. Moore's classic poem
The Night Before Christmas
as a starting point, author Marjorie Dennis Murray and illustrator Brandon Dorman create an entertaining Halloween treat in this seasonal picture-book. The residents of a spooky mansion prepare for the festivities, from the witch making her brew to the green goblin-like creepies making party bags. But when a troupe of ten trick-or-treaters show up, they take one look at the monstrous residents of the mansion, and turn tale and run. Fortunately, said monsters know how to have a good time on their own...
I'm always on the hunt for new (or new to me) Halloween books, especially at this time of year, so I was happy to stumble across Halloween Night at my public library this past weekend. The vivid cover illustration, with its plethora of creepy creatures. immediately drew me in, and I snatched it up. I'm certainly glad that I did, as I found it an enjoyable Halloween romp! The rhyming text is fun to read - the structure parallels The Night Before Christmas from time to time, but is not bound by it - and the accompanying artwork is appealing, capturing both the spooky and humorous elements of the tale. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking fun Halloween fare on the scarier side.
I'm always on the hunt for new (or new to me) Halloween books, especially at this time of year, so I was happy to stumble across Halloween Night at my public library this past weekend. The vivid cover illustration, with its plethora of creepy creatures. immediately drew me in, and I snatched it up. I'm certainly glad that I did, as I found it an enjoyable Halloween romp! The rhyming text is fun to read - the structure parallels The Night Before Christmas from time to time, but is not bound by it - and the accompanying artwork is appealing, capturing both the spooky and humorous elements of the tale. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking fun Halloween fare on the scarier side.
August 23, 2019
Begins with "Twas Halloween night, and all through the house every creature was stirring, including the mouse," and therefore I already saw the lack of originality. I like some of the illustrations, the blond girl that was illustrated as a vampire countess didn't exactly look like a vampire or even creepy. I did like the vampires popping out of their paintings to toast. It always saddens me to see Medusa portrayed as an ugly girl when she was punished for being quite the opposite in Greek Mythology.
October 21, 2021
The art on this books is absolutely amazing!
The rhymes are nice and the story cute, good book and incredible illustrations. 🎃
The rhymes are nice and the story cute, good book and incredible illustrations. 🎃
September 15, 2024
Only for the illustrations do I give it 3 stars. Sorry story line. Hard to read over and over to grandkids!
November 1, 2016
1.5
I knew by the cover the artwork might be a problem. As soon as I opened the cover there was the little mutant alien thing that wasn't pleasing to look at. The characters were quite hideous. I didn't enjoy looking at any of the monsters, and the humans kids weren't much better.
I liked the haunted house and all of the silhouettes of different creatures in the windows. That was a really nice touch. I also liked the pumpkins on top of the stone columns, with a starry sky behind. I was kind of irritated to find this went to the theme of the night before Christmas, because I've already found two Halloween books set to Christmas poems. The zombies were cool walking in the yard, seen through a space in the boards of the house. The clock didn't make sense, it had Halloween at 12, Christmas at 3, Easter at 6 and 4th of July at 9. It would have been better if it was represented in a diff way, because the holidays don't fall on hours, so they can't be found on a clock.
The ugly little alien things were called creepies. Never heard of them and they were just weird. The parlor idea was cool, with the ghost playing piano off key and the soup of the day, as well as the ravens sounding when they saw the trick or treaters. The lights surrounding the turret of the house were nice. The skeleton key made out of a bone was a nice touch.
The frogs and bug on a stake was absolutely awful. I can't stand to see live animals staked like that and children shouldn't see that and it's made worse by the sad expressions on the frogs' faces. The only cute character was the mouse.
The kids run away at the sight of all of the monsters and the gross things they're eating. The noises they made were weird, like heep and yeep. I don't think people actually say that.
All of the creatures decide to enjoy Halloween without any guests. I'm not sure what the witch was doing but it looked like she was giving birth. She was down on her back on the floor, with her legs up and lifting her skirt. If she was dancing it didn't look like it. Because of the angle it looked like she was lying down. I never saw a zombie again after they awoke in the yard. At the end all of the monsters leave with food, and I was wondering whose house it was if everyone was leaving.
I didn't like the rhyming; there was a terrible choice of words. To make the brew smelly, the witch threw in a shoe. The creepies put 4 crunchy legs, a handful of grubs and 8 rotten eggs into each treat bag. It was weird ideas like this that kept me from enjoying it. At times the Night Before Christmas was barely evident. I don't think this story should have sounded off to this Christmas poem. It should have just had its own thing going on, especially since it was so gruesome and had no magic to it at all.
I knew by the cover the artwork might be a problem. As soon as I opened the cover there was the little mutant alien thing that wasn't pleasing to look at. The characters were quite hideous. I didn't enjoy looking at any of the monsters, and the humans kids weren't much better.
I liked the haunted house and all of the silhouettes of different creatures in the windows. That was a really nice touch. I also liked the pumpkins on top of the stone columns, with a starry sky behind. I was kind of irritated to find this went to the theme of the night before Christmas, because I've already found two Halloween books set to Christmas poems. The zombies were cool walking in the yard, seen through a space in the boards of the house. The clock didn't make sense, it had Halloween at 12, Christmas at 3, Easter at 6 and 4th of July at 9. It would have been better if it was represented in a diff way, because the holidays don't fall on hours, so they can't be found on a clock.
The ugly little alien things were called creepies. Never heard of them and they were just weird. The parlor idea was cool, with the ghost playing piano off key and the soup of the day, as well as the ravens sounding when they saw the trick or treaters. The lights surrounding the turret of the house were nice. The skeleton key made out of a bone was a nice touch.
The frogs and bug on a stake was absolutely awful. I can't stand to see live animals staked like that and children shouldn't see that and it's made worse by the sad expressions on the frogs' faces. The only cute character was the mouse.
The kids run away at the sight of all of the monsters and the gross things they're eating. The noises they made were weird, like heep and yeep. I don't think people actually say that.
All of the creatures decide to enjoy Halloween without any guests. I'm not sure what the witch was doing but it looked like she was giving birth. She was down on her back on the floor, with her legs up and lifting her skirt. If she was dancing it didn't look like it. Because of the angle it looked like she was lying down. I never saw a zombie again after they awoke in the yard. At the end all of the monsters leave with food, and I was wondering whose house it was if everyone was leaving.
I didn't like the rhyming; there was a terrible choice of words. To make the brew smelly, the witch threw in a shoe. The creepies put 4 crunchy legs, a handful of grubs and 8 rotten eggs into each treat bag. It was weird ideas like this that kept me from enjoying it. At times the Night Before Christmas was barely evident. I don't think this story should have sounded off to this Christmas poem. It should have just had its own thing going on, especially since it was so gruesome and had no magic to it at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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June 22, 2010“Twas Halloween night, and all through the house/Every creature was stirring, including the mouse”.
So begins one of the stranger variations on “ Twas the Night Before Christmas”, where instead of greeting Santa Claus, the residents of a haunted house prepare for their visitors. The illustrations are a dead giveaway that readers should expect a tickle to the funny bone. There’s a significant “gross-out” factor that’s aided considerably by the illustrations- it’s one thing to read about ogres setting up a buffet of live bugs, but the visual impact is another experience entirely. There is a lot to see in the illustrations for those readers who really want to take the time to look. Zombies march through a graveyard that’s barely visible from the foreground of a basement scene; the chairs are decorated with skulls, each with its own expression; a one-eyed jack-o-lantern grins from the corner of a page. But the illustrations are just part of what makes the story work. The truth is that kids rarely get to join in with the monsters to scare the pants off other kids, and it’s just plain fun to be part of the plan and part of the party. The art is digital, and the characters populating the pages seemed to be drawn in a style similar to Pixar’s. In fact, the illustrations scream out “Animate me”! The illustrations aren’t enough on their own, though- the characters need the driving force of a silly, gross, and maybe-a-little-bit-scary story. Halloween Night will probably be most appreciated by kids in grades 2-5. Recommended for elementary school library media centers and public library children’s departments.
Review by Kirsten Kowalewski
So begins one of the stranger variations on “ Twas the Night Before Christmas”, where instead of greeting Santa Claus, the residents of a haunted house prepare for their visitors. The illustrations are a dead giveaway that readers should expect a tickle to the funny bone. There’s a significant “gross-out” factor that’s aided considerably by the illustrations- it’s one thing to read about ogres setting up a buffet of live bugs, but the visual impact is another experience entirely. There is a lot to see in the illustrations for those readers who really want to take the time to look. Zombies march through a graveyard that’s barely visible from the foreground of a basement scene; the chairs are decorated with skulls, each with its own expression; a one-eyed jack-o-lantern grins from the corner of a page. But the illustrations are just part of what makes the story work. The truth is that kids rarely get to join in with the monsters to scare the pants off other kids, and it’s just plain fun to be part of the plan and part of the party. The art is digital, and the characters populating the pages seemed to be drawn in a style similar to Pixar’s. In fact, the illustrations scream out “Animate me”! The illustrations aren’t enough on their own, though- the characters need the driving force of a silly, gross, and maybe-a-little-bit-scary story. Halloween Night will probably be most appreciated by kids in grades 2-5. Recommended for elementary school library media centers and public library children’s departments.
Review by Kirsten Kowalewski
January 11, 2013
Halloween Night by Marjorie Dennis Murray, illustrated by Brandon Dorman is a variation on The Night Before Christmas focusing on a monsterous Halloween celebration.
Dorman's detailed illustrations, both funny and creepy, were made using digital art. My favorite images are mummies, creepies, buffet, 10 tricksters, shivers, monsters, enjoyed and leftovers.
This rhyming treat features a witch, zombies, mummies, pumpkins, green creepies, a ghost, banshees, bats, ravens, harpies, amd a two headed host in a haunted house, and trick or treaters including a toad, a yellow-eyed cat, a fairy, a ghoul, and a rat.There are gross items showm and mentioned, such as eyeballs, grubs, rotten eggs, moldy tea, fish tails, newts, stinkbugs, lizards and mice. Some of the illustrations could be too scary for younger or sensitive children, but older ones should enjoy this. Halloween Night should be fun to read-aloud.
For ages 4.5 to 7, Halloween, rhymes, holidays, trick or treat, read-aloud, monsters, and fans of Marjorie Dennis Murray and Brandon Dorman.
Dorman's detailed illustrations, both funny and creepy, were made using digital art. My favorite images are mummies, creepies, buffet, 10 tricksters, shivers, monsters, enjoyed and leftovers.
This rhyming treat features a witch, zombies, mummies, pumpkins, green creepies, a ghost, banshees, bats, ravens, harpies, amd a two headed host in a haunted house, and trick or treaters including a toad, a yellow-eyed cat, a fairy, a ghoul, and a rat.There are gross items showm and mentioned, such as eyeballs, grubs, rotten eggs, moldy tea, fish tails, newts, stinkbugs, lizards and mice. Some of the illustrations could be too scary for younger or sensitive children, but older ones should enjoy this. Halloween Night should be fun to read-aloud.
For ages 4.5 to 7, Halloween, rhymes, holidays, trick or treat, read-aloud, monsters, and fans of Marjorie Dennis Murray and Brandon Dorman.
November 1, 2016
I saw this on goodreads, and thought it looked promising. Based on the title, it was fitting to read on Halloween night! My sister checked it out at the library, and was one of the books we swapped for Halloween.
Looking at the cover here, instead of the internet, I can see the animation is out there.
Those green monsters look like goblin/frogs.
I didn’t like the rhyme that ended with ‘dead’ and then ‘beds’ because it didn’t rhyme.
Kids wouldn’t know ‘bevy’ or ‘gable’ or ‘unveil.’
The little fairy and witch looked cute when the witch opened her door. The popped gum on her face was a nice detail.
I hate that they dropped their candy!
Oh wow, looks like a Medusa in the crowd!
I hate that I haven’t read a book where the kids don’t get scared off by the monsters. I’d like them to actually stay at the party and have fun.
That’s cute how the bats were carrying goody bags as they flew, and the little mouse perched on the monster’s tail.
Some of this was gross, with the bugs, and cooking legs and whatnot. Some of the illustrations were too dark to see what was going on. There was so much on the pages, it was hard to take it all in.
Looking at the cover here, instead of the internet, I can see the animation is out there.
Those green monsters look like goblin/frogs.
I didn’t like the rhyme that ended with ‘dead’ and then ‘beds’ because it didn’t rhyme.
Kids wouldn’t know ‘bevy’ or ‘gable’ or ‘unveil.’
The little fairy and witch looked cute when the witch opened her door. The popped gum on her face was a nice detail.
I hate that they dropped their candy!
Oh wow, looks like a Medusa in the crowd!
I hate that I haven’t read a book where the kids don’t get scared off by the monsters. I’d like them to actually stay at the party and have fun.
That’s cute how the bats were carrying goody bags as they flew, and the little mouse perched on the monster’s tail.
Some of this was gross, with the bugs, and cooking legs and whatnot. Some of the illustrations were too dark to see what was going on. There was so much on the pages, it was hard to take it all in.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2017
I'm a reading coach for first and second-graders. Today (Halloween!) I read this book with two second-graders. They loved it! It has a gross-out factor that boys find cool. And they loved to talk about the fun illustrations. This is a book that contains a few challenge word like bevy, gable, and banshee, so be prepared to do a little explaining. This book is a future Halloween favorite!
June 25, 2012
38 months - Stories written based on the 12 Days of Christmas and The Night Before Christmas drive me nuts...there are so many of them that it's tiresome even if on occasion the words and illustrations are top notch. I would just prefer reading something original.
November 1, 2018
Halloween Night is a children's picture book written by Marjorie Dennis Murray and illustrated by Brandon Dorman. It is a book about a gathering of monsters getting ready for a Halloween party. As today is Halloween, I thought reading this book would be apropos.
Murray's text is simplistic and lyrical. It is written in the style of "The Night Before Christmas". The poem was written especially well and follows the rhythm and style of the original poem extremely well. Dorman's illustrations are wonderfully depicted and represented the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The book is about a grouping of monsters getting ready for a Halloween party. As trick-or-treaters arrive they are invited in, but are scared of all the monsters and what they considered wonderful cuisine. Despite that, the monsters had a wonderful night of partying – perhaps the best Halloween night ever.
All in all, Halloween Night is a wonderful children's book done in the style of "The Night Before Christmas".
Murray's text is simplistic and lyrical. It is written in the style of "The Night Before Christmas". The poem was written especially well and follows the rhythm and style of the original poem extremely well. Dorman's illustrations are wonderfully depicted and represented the text rather well.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The book is about a grouping of monsters getting ready for a Halloween party. As trick-or-treaters arrive they are invited in, but are scared of all the monsters and what they considered wonderful cuisine. Despite that, the monsters had a wonderful night of partying – perhaps the best Halloween night ever.
All in all, Halloween Night is a wonderful children's book done in the style of "The Night Before Christmas".
September 6, 2018
Picked up this book when if first came out. I love Halloween & we celebrate tons in my family. This picture book has become so re-read we are on a 3rd copy. My daughter adores it & has her whole life. My too year old has just heard it & keeps asking for it. I'd say that's a great sign of a good book right there.
It's based on the Christmas poem "Twas the Night Before..." The rhyme scheme is wonderful & perfect for an out-loud read. The pictures are full of fun hidden treasures. Almost like those hidden picture books in a way. We've even copied some of the pumpkins over the years for our own carvings. The pictures are in NO WAY too gross. They are a perfect blend of whimsy and shiver. Best Halloween book out there.
It's based on the Christmas poem "Twas the Night Before..." The rhyme scheme is wonderful & perfect for an out-loud read. The pictures are full of fun hidden treasures. Almost like those hidden picture books in a way. We've even copied some of the pumpkins over the years for our own carvings. The pictures are in NO WAY too gross. They are a perfect blend of whimsy and shiver. Best Halloween book out there.
October 31, 2022
Woo-hoo! It's Halloween, and the monsters are throwing a party for anyone who dares to attend.
Spectacular illustrations by Brandon Dorman highlight this fun spoof of The Night Before Christmas.
Spectacular illustrations by Brandon Dorman highlight this fun spoof of The Night Before Christmas.
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July 5, 2019A fast-moving story, pumpkins, ghouls, shrieks, and wonderful illustrations make this a fun story to share in the days leading up to Halloween.
This picture book uses the cadence of Twas the Night Before Christmas to tell its ghoulish story.
This picture book uses the cadence of Twas the Night Before Christmas to tell its ghoulish story.
October 4, 2026
Halloween Night
Marjorie Dennis Murray , Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)
Found on youtube as HALLOWEEN NIGHT - By Marjorie Dennis Murray & Illustrations by Brandon Dorman | Read-Aloud Enchanted Storyboat.
The rhyming book shows the haunting of a Halloween night. The creatures of the night make treatbags, and decorate for the celebration. The artwork is detailed and colorful.
Marjorie Dennis Murray , Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)
Found on youtube as HALLOWEEN NIGHT - By Marjorie Dennis Murray & Illustrations by Brandon Dorman | Read-Aloud Enchanted Storyboat.
The rhyming book shows the haunting of a Halloween night. The creatures of the night make treatbags, and decorate for the celebration. The artwork is detailed and colorful.
October 25, 2017
In the style of The Night Before Christmas, this picture book tells the story of a witch’s Halloween party in her haunted house. The rhyming text describes the creepy treats and scary decorations and what happens when the local children show up to collect treats. The digitally colored illustrations are very bold and detailed and will have young readers poring over the pages. If young children are particularly sensitive, you might want to be careful with this one, but I don’t think it’s too scary for most elementary-aged kids.
October 31, 2018
I thought it was a kid's book based off of "A Visit from St. Nicholas," but it seems like only the beginning had any resemblance. Some interesting illustrations and fun rhyme. Ending was a little abrupt and not that cute, but still nice.
October 30, 2019
This spooky rhyming poetry with the rhythm of another familiar holiday poem tells of an assorted and mixed collection of creatures preparing for a party and the anticipation of trick or treaters to arrive and join in the festivities.
April 5, 2021
Told to the tempo of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas. A group of monsters throw a Halloween party. With good art.
My kids like Halloween stuff, but they found this one scarier than usual. I think it's because the monsters scare the trick-or-treaters away without a happier resolution.
My kids like Halloween stuff, but they found this one scarier than usual. I think it's because the monsters scare the trick-or-treaters away without a happier resolution.
October 19, 2017
Cute book read in the same poetic style of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas, great illustrations, and just good old fashioned Halloween fun
November 6, 2017
its adorable. its set to the night before christmas but had that cute halloween feel
November 9, 2017
This is a entertaining Halloween story for Kids no matter their age. Great artwork.
May 31, 2018
Beautiful illustrations with spooky poem to the rhyme of The Night Before Christmas.
September 27, 2018
The art is beautiful and the story was very fun!
September 28, 2018
This one was a fun one to read, and Bud really enjoyed it! Very festive! Not too spooky but not too babyish, either!
October 13, 2019
Awesome rhymes and illustrations! Very creepy, yet kid-friendly and perfect for Halloween!
October 24, 2019
Really amazing visuals, richly populated with mythical beings.
October 21, 2021
Really fun art and a ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” rhyme scheme.
October 31, 2021
Really fun and great illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews