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Boo Stew
A spooky fractured fairy tale with a diverse cast of characters and an imaginative twist on the classic “Goldilocks.”
Curly Locks is a good-hearted girl, but she’s an awful cook. All the townspeople of Toadsuck Swamp know to steer clear of her culinary concoctions―like the batwing brownies and toad eye toffees. So when one of her dishes goes missin’ from her windowsill, word spreads like a kerosene fire about how the Scares have been terrorizin’ the town at mealtime. They shriek “Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon! Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone!” and send folk runnin’ from their dinner plates.
With everyone else tremblin’ and squawkin’ about the Scares, Curly Locks gets an inklin’. Can she use her smarts and unique talents to help corral those Scares for good?
Curly Locks is a good-hearted girl, but she’s an awful cook. All the townspeople of Toadsuck Swamp know to steer clear of her culinary concoctions―like the batwing brownies and toad eye toffees. So when one of her dishes goes missin’ from her windowsill, word spreads like a kerosene fire about how the Scares have been terrorizin’ the town at mealtime. They shriek “Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon! Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone!” and send folk runnin’ from their dinner plates.
With everyone else tremblin’ and squawkin’ about the Scares, Curly Locks gets an inklin’. Can she use her smarts and unique talents to help corral those Scares for good?
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
December 30, 2021
This was a fun one about a little girl who has her own unique recipes. Everyone in town makes fun of her concoctions but they just might be what the local boo-hags need to end their reign of terror.
October 27, 2021
This spooky (but not too spooky) tale has the air of oral storytelling the author specializes in. Great repetition, characters that are fun to voice and a satisfying ending. Set in the south in a town at the edge of a swamp and full of “scares” and questionable cooking ingredients this is as playful and it’s is Halloweeny and tons of fun to read aloud.
September 19, 2021
The Scares in this book get 5 stars according to Ol. Quality scares, quality tale.
November 16, 2022
Cute story and illustrations. 😊💖
December 8, 2021
Curly Locks loves to cook. But most of the things she whips up are pretty unappetizing to the folks in town. But her mother encourages her to follow her heart so she keeps cooking. She is encouraged when a skin lizard lasagna she left cooling on the windowsill disappears. Someone likes her cooking! Then the mayor gets a scare. Literally. See, the Toadsuck Swamp is full of Scares. But they have always stayed in the Swamp - until now! There's a small Scare, a medium-sized Scare, and a great big Scare! Curly Locks thinks these Scares just need someone to cook for them - and so she creates her Boo Stew. The Scares, of course, try to scare her off with a Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon, Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone! But Curly Locks simply retorts, "I'll go if you like, but if I do, you'll never get a taste of my famous Boo Stew." The Scares are intrigued! But will they like Curly Locks' cooking? Read on to find out! Enjoy the wonderful illustrations!
Every year, we have folks come to the library looking for a story to tell. THIS will be the perfect book for them - or anyone itching to tell a fun story.
Every year, we have folks come to the library looking for a story to tell. THIS will be the perfect book for them - or anyone itching to tell a fun story.
January 1, 2022
“I’ll go if you like, but if I do, you’ll never get a taste of my famous Boo Stew.”
An interesting twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Curly Locks lives in Toadsuck Swamp where there were always “Scares” around. Curly Locks loves to cook, but her recipes are of no interest to the people of Toadsuck Swamp. Who wants batwing brownies? Or cat hair cupcakes? Or toad eye toffees?
But her cooking is about to be highly appreciated by the people because when some Scare enter the mayor’s house, no one knows what to do: not the mayor, the blacksmith or the chicken rancher. And now there are three Scares, each one bigger than the one before. Fortunately, Curly Locks knows just what they want.
Delightfully detailed and humorous illustrations.
An interesting twist on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Curly Locks lives in Toadsuck Swamp where there were always “Scares” around. Curly Locks loves to cook, but her recipes are of no interest to the people of Toadsuck Swamp. Who wants batwing brownies? Or cat hair cupcakes? Or toad eye toffees?
But her cooking is about to be highly appreciated by the people because when some Scare enter the mayor’s house, no one knows what to do: not the mayor, the blacksmith or the chicken rancher. And now there are three Scares, each one bigger than the one before. Fortunately, Curly Locks knows just what they want.
Delightfully detailed and humorous illustrations.
June 6, 2021
Fun voice in this story!
December 15, 2021
Cute fun story. I liked the illustrations. It had a good pace. Just over all cute.
October 6, 2023
I got this book from the Halloween display at my library. After the first reading my kids said nothing, I worried that it may have been too scary but they have all individually come back to me and asked me to read it to them again.
This sweet story is about a girl Curly Locks and how she loves to cook odd things that no one else likes to eat, but when the Scares if Toadsuck Swamp start wreckin’ havoc on the town, she has the final solution.
I thought this book was fun and the perfect amount of fright and delight, though if your littles scare easily, I wouldn’t recommend it. The illustrations are fun and the southern twang makes a strong sense of place.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This sweet story is about a girl Curly Locks and how she loves to cook odd things that no one else likes to eat, but when the Scares if Toadsuck Swamp start wreckin’ havoc on the town, she has the final solution.
I thought this book was fun and the perfect amount of fright and delight, though if your littles scare easily, I wouldn’t recommend it. The illustrations are fun and the southern twang makes a strong sense of place.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 7, 2025
This was our favorite Halloween find from the library this year. My kids could not stop saying the fun phrase spread throughout the book!
April 30, 2023
A story about staying true to your passions, Curly Locks continues cooking her unique concoctions until she finds others who appreciate them.
October 28, 2022
Curly Locks lives in Toadsuck Swamp and loves to cook, unfortunately she has no one that loves to eat her creations. In come the Scares with their rollicking, "Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon! Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone!" terrorizing all of the townsfolk. Curly Locks steps up to the challenge and starts cooking her famous Boo Stew. This charming young chef may just have the best solution to tame the Scares yet. This is a fun read aloud with several repeated phrases that will have your listeners participating along with you making the story come to life.
Quote: "...but if I do, you'll never get a taste of my famous boo stew."
Quote: "...but if I do, you'll never get a taste of my famous boo stew."
July 25, 2022
Curly Locks loves to make Boo Stew and other delicacies, but her neighbors in her town do not share the love for her hair curling creations. One day she notices some of her food was eaten, but is not sure who enjoyed it. The mystery reveals itself when the Mayor is haunted by a Scare and 2 others try to help and are scared away by a bigger scare each time. (Notice: 3 people startled by 3 scares increasing in size.) Curly Locks realizes the trouble can be remedied by her and her culinary concoctions! Wonderful illustrations by Jeffrey Ebbeler add so much fun to this story that I am sure will be a favorite in many children's library collections.
Donna L. Washington, THANK YOU! This fun story will join others as I discuss traditional tales, brave characters, and how the number 3 is so commonly used in tales that we love to share over and over again!
Donna L. Washington, THANK YOU! This fun story will join others as I discuss traditional tales, brave characters, and how the number 3 is so commonly used in tales that we love to share over and over again!
September 11, 2022
In a little town known as Toadsuck Swamp, spooky creatures known as Scares haunt the town. Also in this town is Curly Locks, a little girl who loves to cook! Humans don't always like Curly Lock's cooking, but there is something out there that does!
This book was adorable and very unique, the text was fun, playful and a joy to read. The setting of the story is whimsical but still recognizable, with each illustration being colorful and detailed, drawing the reader in more and more. The theme of following your heart and doing what makes you happy is important for children! Based on the criteria of this book. I believe it would be a great read aloud for kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders, especially around Halloween time! I also think it would be great to have on the bookshelf for 3rd and 4th to have in their class library.
This book was adorable and very unique, the text was fun, playful and a joy to read. The setting of the story is whimsical but still recognizable, with each illustration being colorful and detailed, drawing the reader in more and more. The theme of following your heart and doing what makes you happy is important for children! Based on the criteria of this book. I believe it would be a great read aloud for kinder, 1st, and 2nd graders, especially around Halloween time! I also think it would be great to have on the bookshelf for 3rd and 4th to have in their class library.
September 10, 2021
If there's one thing Curly Locks loves doing more than anything else, it's cooking. Unfortunately, her gruesome goodies aren't appetizing to the townsfolk but the Scares that live in Toadsuck Swamp don't mind them! So when the Scares wander into town and start terrorizing the townsfolk, it's up to Curly Locks to lure them back to the swamp where they belong.
This one is really cute; Jeffrey Ebbeler does a wonderful job with the illustrations. The story is a sort-of reverse telling of Goldilocks & The Three Bears.
Would recommend to younger kiddo's who like Harry Potter but aren't up to chapter books yet!
This one is really cute; Jeffrey Ebbeler does a wonderful job with the illustrations. The story is a sort-of reverse telling of Goldilocks & The Three Bears.
Would recommend to younger kiddo's who like Harry Potter but aren't up to chapter books yet!
October 26, 2021
This book is adorable! The illustrations were amazing and so beautifully done! It is perfect for Halloween or just a good read of a funny, creative book! Curly Locks, has a passion for cooking and the scares are loving her cooking! As the scares take over the Mayor’s house and no one in town can get them out, Curly Locks come to the rescue. Many of the town people do not believe that Curly Locks can handle them! This book shows the courage of a young girl, when she uses her passions to solve problems! This book could be used for any Elementary classrooms with a fun activity of what students would put in their boo stew!
April 3, 2022
Curly Locks loves to cook, but not many people are interested in eating what she cooks. When some Scares invade the mayor's house, it's Curly Locks's chance to prove that she isn't a failure after all.
Between the accents and the goop, this is one weird take on Goldilocks. If it weren't for the nominal similarities in the main character's name and the size of the Spooks, this wouldn't have anything to do with Goldilocks at all, I do believe. I found it a bit grimy for my tastes, but it's spunky and fun to read, and I'll definitely be pulling it out again around Halloween.
Between the accents and the goop, this is one weird take on Goldilocks. If it weren't for the nominal similarities in the main character's name and the size of the Spooks, this wouldn't have anything to do with Goldilocks at all, I do believe. I found it a bit grimy for my tastes, but it's spunky and fun to read, and I'll definitely be pulling it out again around Halloween.
October 18, 2021
A new classic. Boo Stew is a new favorite for my kids and myself. A retelling of "Goldilocks and the 3 Bears" - this story has 3 "Scares" - Boo Stew is a wonderful adventure story that is fun to read at Halloween, or throughout the year. The illustrations are gorgeous. Each page would look great hung on the wall (do NOT tell my children that). And the words are a joy to read out loud.
Fun for the whole family.
Fun for the whole family.
January 10, 2022
It was disappointin', but her momma just said "Do what your heart loves!" Well her heart loved to cook!
This was recommended to me and it was a good recommendation. It has a great narrative and an interesting twist on finding the right audience for your talent. I like the illustrations and the end pages I spent a good amount of time freaking out on the ingredients. So clever and fun.
This was recommended to me and it was a good recommendation. It has a great narrative and an interesting twist on finding the right audience for your talent. I like the illustrations and the end pages I spent a good amount of time freaking out on the ingredients. So clever and fun.
January 16, 2022
No one likes Curly Locks' cooking. Except, someone just emptied her whole tray of lizard skin lasagna without her noticing. The next day, Scares have taken over the mayor's home, and they scare off anyone who tries to get rid of them. Like a slightly scary, reverse Goldilocks tale, where Goldilocks cleans up the mess made by someone else.
March 5, 2022
My daughter and I loved this book! We checked it out from the library yesterday, and we've read it 3x already (she wants to read it again and again!). It's the perfect amount of scary, and the illustrations are absolutely on-point.
Well done, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a fresh "fairytale"!
Well done, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who's looking for a fresh "fairytale"!
October 27, 2021
Fiction - 1st -2nd grade.
So cute! A new take on Goldie locks and the 3 bears. In this book there are 3 scares. Love the illustrations and if read aloud on YouTube by Annie. The voices are amazing. I love the southern Louisiana accent.
So cute! A new take on Goldie locks and the 3 bears. In this book there are 3 scares. Love the illustrations and if read aloud on YouTube by Annie. The voices are amazing. I love the southern Louisiana accent.
October 8, 2022
Loved Boo stew! While the illustrations read 2022, the story with a solid beginning, middle, end and hook felt like an homage to older picture books that delighted with silly plots and some absurdity.
September 26, 2021
I saw the author this this book aloud. Amazing!! Great read aloud. Fun Halloween or anytime book. Enjoyable pictures.
October 6, 2021
Absolutely adorable! Hearing it read aloud/performed by the author is an extra special treat! Can’t wait to share it with my young readers!
October 14, 2021
I'll never be able to do the writing justice with my read-aloud voice.
Loved this story!
Loved this story!
October 20, 2021
Such a cute little story! Love the swampy Louisiana setting!! A great book for kids of all ages!!
October 22, 2021
What a delightful and fun read aloud. It's too long for a preschool storytime, but this is GREAT for primary, slightly spooky but not scary and I am HERE for books about kids who love to cook.
October 28, 2021
My 2nd & 3rd graders are loving this book. Great read aloud!
October 28, 2021
My class loved this one. They laughed the whole way through (may have partially been the voices used).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews