A Not So Scary Visit

A Not So Scary Visit by Lee Williams & illustrated by Claudia Ranucci (Five Mile Press) PB RRP AU$24.99 ISBN 978 1 92309 178 8

Reviewed by Robyn Gillies

It’s that special time of year, Halloween, when you can expect scary visitors so it’s no surprise that two very terrifying monsters appear in the middle of the night to try and frighten a young boy. But he has been expecting them and he has a plucky plan to send them away.

This is a terrific picture book. It’s funny and entertaining, and the illustrations balance beautifully with the story adding to the narrative. It’s full of expressive characters and colour and is ideal to capture the attention of young readers. It is easy to read, and the storyline flows effortlessly, with some imaginative ideas and a great twist at the end that will no doubt make readers laugh out loud.

It’s a wonderful book for any time of the year but perfect for Halloween and a great one for educators of young children who are looking for books to create a Halloween theme. It’s ideal for toddlers and early readers as it explores early literacy skills in an amusing way.