Holiday Books for Holiday Breaks

Did you happen to notice all the snow on the ground? Of course you did. We can no longer deny that it is winter. Our noses and toes may be frozen, and our socks may be soggy, but let’s take the freezing temperatures and huge white drifts as a cheerful sign that soon, the semester will be over, and the winter break will be upon us. Before you jet off to distant lands – or, if you’re staying in town for the break, before you get too cozy on your couch – why not pick up a little something from the library to help you pass the time?

If you’re looking for a holiday-themed read, the UGL’s Holiday Reads Pinterest board should be your first stop. You can find Christmas classics there, such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas; books about Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and other winter celebrations; and holiday-themed romance and mystery. If you find a book you like on one of our Pinterest boards, clicking on the pin should take you straight to the catalog where you can request it and check it out. Give it a shot!

Those on the hunt for a seasonally appropriate movie can also check out our holiday viewer’s advisory blog post from this time last year – it’s got a lot of snowy favorites for you to watch while you’re all snuggled up with your warm beverage of choice.

Those should give you plenty to work from, but just in case you need more, here are a few more winter break options for you to choose from.

History of the Snowman coverThe History of the Snowman: From the Ice Age to Flea Market by Bob Eckstein

Twelve Clues of Christmas CoverThe Twelve Clues of Christmas: a Royal Spyness Mystery by Rhys Bowen

A Gift From Tiffany's coverA Gift From Tiffany’s by Melissa Hill

Spending the holidays with people I want to punch in the throat book coverSpending the Holidays with People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen (of “People I Want to Punch in the Throat”)

When Elves Attack book coverWhen Elves Attack: a Joyous Christmas Greeting from the Criminal Nutbars of the Sunshine State by Tim Dorsey

The Book of (Holiday) Awesome coverThe Book of (Holiday) Awesome by Neil Pasricha

These should get you started. You can find more in the library catalog by searching for whatever aspect of the holiday season is your favorite! For instance, try doing a subject search for “Christmas – Humor” if you want to have a Christmas-themed laugh.

We hope you have a great finals week and a great break – stay tuned for updates about library hours over the break, and stay warm!

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Fall Break Hours

At last! Fall break is nearly here. If you’re travelling over the holiday to see loved ones or just for vacation, we hope you have a safe and happy time of it. If you’re sticking around for all or most of the week, we hope you get as much working or relaxing done as you hope to. And you know…if you happen to need somewhere to hang out…the UGL will still be here. Here are our hours for fall break, in case you need or want to stop in.

Vintage Turkey lookin' fly

Photo courtesy of Evan Traveler on Flickr

Friday, November 22nd: Close at 7 PM
Saturday, November 23rd: Closed
Sunday, November 24th: Closed
Monday, November 25th: Open 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday, November 26th: Open 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday, November 27th: Open 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Thursday, November 28th: Closed – Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 29th: Closed
Saturday, November 30th: Closed
Sunday, December 1st: Open at 1 PM; resume regular semester hours

If you want to grab something to read, check out the UGL’s Pinterest boards for tons of reading recommendations. Remember that if your books or movies are due while you’re out of town for the holiday, you can renew them using your online account to avoid overdue notices! Have a great break, and we’ll be here for you when you come back refreshed and ready to finish your semester strong!

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Halloween Books and Movies

Fellow UGLers, Halloween is here! Are you ready to dress up and stuff your face with candy? If you’ve decided to stay in, the graduate assistants of the UGL have provided a list of their favorite movies and books for the season. We’ve compiled the list here and hope that it serves as a guide for your Halloween night festivities.

The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Zoe recommends The Nightmare before Christmas. An animated movie directed by Tim Burton, this has been a popular one since its release in 1993. It is the story of the quirky and lovable pumpkin king who decides to bring the Christmas spirit to Halloween Town. A great movie for those who want to combine Halloween and the upcoming holidays. Grab your friends and some popcorn and spend the evening with the pumpkin king.

The Exorcist Movie

The Exorcist. Sure to give you a chill down your spine

If you want a good dose of fear this Halloween, Quetzalli recommends The Exorcist. This classic 1973 movie scared audiences all over the world. For those of who have not yet seen this classic film, based on a true story, it is the chilling story of a girl who becomes possessed and causes several gruesome deaths during her exorcism. Beware Club UGL, this movie is not for the faint-hearted.

 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Are you in the mood for some rock opera, awesome costumes, and a good ole horror movie? Holly’s favorite is The Rocky Horror Picture Show. After a couple of kids have car trouble, they are left stranded at the door of a Gothic mansion. They meet a host of strange characters, including Dr. Fran-N-Furter from the planet Transsexual. Whether it’s your first time watching this movie or you’ve already seen it a million times, this movie is a good excuse to sign along at the top of your lungs.

The Haunting of Hill House Book

Looking for a good read this Halloween? The Haunting of Hill House is just the book for you

For those who want a quiet Halloween, but still feel the urge for a scary evening, Tad recommends The Haunting of Hill House written by Shirley Jackson. Hill House receives four visitors who are curious about the unexplained phenomena happening at the house. Some are there seeking knowledge and others want an adventure. Little do they know that Hill House has other plans for them.

For a quick, but fun read, Tad also recommends Halloween ABC. For each letter of the alphabet, a poem about Halloween and its festivities.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad Movie

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Some of us are not fans of this scary holiday, but don’t worry, Lily has a recommendation for you! The Disney movie, The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad is the choice for you. This movie recalls two famous stories, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

From the Dust Returned Book

From the Dust Returned

For those who want to enjoy a good book by the fireplace (or in college students’ case, the heater) while sipping on some hot chocolate, Christina recommends From the Dust Returned written by Ray Bradbury. It’s a story about the Eternal Family, who live in a legendary and mysterious house in upper Illinois. They are rarely seen during the daylight hours and are not like the other Midwesterners in the area. The house is being prepared for a family reunion that will bring together a mix of extraordinary and odd members.

Batman: The Long Halloween

Batman: The Long Halloween

For those who will be drowning in homework on Halloween, you can take a quick break and grab a comic book. Angeline recommends Batman: The Long Halloween. A serial killer nicknamed Holiday is on the loose. He’s killing once a month, but only on the holidays; Batman tries to stop this maniac.

Whatever your plans on Halloween or your interests, you have a variety of choices in front of you. In the mood for a movie? Grab a friend and make a night of it! Feeling like a night in? A good book and some candy corn just might be what you need this Halloween. Either way, have a safe and happy Halloween!

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Go 4th and Celebrate

This coming Thursday is July the 4th, also known as Independence Day. There are lots of fun ways to observe this US national holiday – here’s a round-up of resources to help you make the most of your celebration.

Just a quick note about hours – due to the holiday, all campus libraries will be closed on Thursday, July 4th. So if you want to check out a book or movie to get in the spirit of things, make sure you do it before Thursday! We’ll be back on Friday, July 5th for our regular summer hours.

Historical and Educational Resources
July 4th is a celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the full text of which can be found online via Credo Reference. There’s also an entry in the Encyclopedia of American Studies on the Fourth of July itself. For more information about the Declaration of Independence, the people who developed it, and the American Revolutionary War in general, you can check out some of the following books:
The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89 by Edward S. Morgan
Revolutionary America, 1763-1815 : a Sourcebook edited by Francis D. Cogliano
The Invention of George Washington by Paul K. Longmore
The Women of the American Revolution by Elizabeth F. Ellet
“Strong and Brave Fellows” : New Hampshire’s Black Soldiers and Sailors of the American Revolution, 1775-1784 by Glenn A. Knoblock
Founding Friendship : George Washington, James Madison, and the Creation of the American Republic by Stuart Leibiger
The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood

Cookbooks
As with many holidays in the US, food is a major part of July 4th celebrations. Grilling food outside and cooking over open flames are especially appropriate for the midst of summer – check out one of these cookbooks to get fired up about your July 4th feast. Just remember to be careful and observe fire safety rules!

Kentucky BBQ book in library catalog America's Best BBQ book in library catalog Bobby Flay's Barbecue Addiction book in library catalog One Big Table: A Portrait of American Cooking book in library catalog 30-Minute Vegetarian Grilling book in library catalo Grilling Vegan Style book in library catalog Great Grillin' Cookbook book in library catalog

Films
After you’ve got your plate heaped with food, you might want to kick back with a movie, whether it be related to American history, takes place on the 4th of July, or is just about baseball, America’s pasttime. The movies below all fall into at least one of these categories. If you took advantage of any of the books above, maybe you can spot some inaccuracies in the historical films.
1776 movie in library catalogNational Treasure movie in library catalogJohn Adams movie in library catalogJaws movie in library catalogBorn on the Fourth of July movie in library catalogA League of Their Own movie in library catalogEight Men Out movie in library catalogBad News Bears movie in library catalog
And of course, don’t forget the best July 4th movie of all time: Independence Day.

Local Information
If you’re not throwing your own party, there are plenty of local events for you to attend instead. July4th.net is the online home of the Champaign County Freedom Celebration, which has information about a parade, an evening entertainment lineup, and a fireworks display. The Champaign County Park District will also have 4th of July festivities at the Sholem Aquatic Center, including face-painting and a watermelon eating contest. If you’re willing to travel a little, the Champaign County Forest Preserve is also having a Freedom Fest in Mahomet, Illinois.

Going to a public display is the best way to enjoy fireworks on the 4th of July – be safe and remember that using fireworks on your own could get you into a lot of trouble.

We hope this collection is helpful to you in your celebration! If you have any other ideas for ways to enjoy the holiday, feel free to share them in the comments, and have a wonderful Independence Day.

 

 

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Important Service Updates!

Hey, #ClubUGL! Some exciting changes are happening in your favorite library!

A suspiciously happy model wears an Illini snuggie.

Photo courtesy of fansedge.com

  • The Doors
    First, we know how much everyone struggles with the doors coming in to the UGL. So, this spring, we’ll be replacing the glass doors with fancy beaded curtains. Not only will they be easier to get through, we think they’ll really class up the joint.
  • Snuggies
    With the weather never making up its mind (is it in the 50s? is it gonna snow 11 inches?), we know the temperature can get a little nuts. So, next time you’re working on a paper and get a little chilly, stop by the Circulation Desk to check out an Illini Snuggie! Mmmm, nothing cozier than a blanket with sleeves…
  • The Courtyard
    We decided that the courtyard wasn’t getting enough use, so we’re working on a plan to seal up the windows and then turn it into a giant salt-water aquarium. Now, instead of gazing out the windows at a few trees, you’ll be able to study with the sharks. We know. You can thank us later.

What do you think about these changes? Read more about our reasons for these service updates, then let us know what you think!

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Spring Break Hours

Spring break! It’s the most wonderful time of the (academic) year! Whether you’re planning a road trip to the beach, napping for a week on your family’s couch, or sticking around C-U, catching up on projects, we hope you find a little bit of time to relax. We certainly will be doing the same at the UGL, with shorter hours during the week.

Vintage illustration of seaside town.

We want to go to there. Cannes. Boulevard de la Croisette. Photo courtesy of Cornell University Library via Flickr Commons

Below are the Spring Break hours for the UGL. Check out the schedule for other campus libraries, too.

  • Friday, March 15: UGL closes at 7pm
  • Saturday, March 16: ALL campus libraries are closed
  • Sunday, March 17: ALL campus libraries are closed
  • Monday, March 18 thru Friday, March 22: The UGL will be open daily from 8:30am to 5pm. Please note that the media collection closes at 4:30pm.
  • Saturday, March 23: ALL campus librares are closed
  • Sunday, March 24: UGL opens at 1pm, then resumes regular semester hours.

Enjoy yourselves, #ClubUGL. We’ll be here, ready and waiting, to tackle the rest of the semester with you as soon as you’re back!

 

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IRL @ the UGL

We at the UGL like to think of ourselves as being pretty comfortable with technology. This Web 2.0 thing? We’ve got it down. But we also understand that sometimes, even the most tech-savvy person gets a hankering for the old-fashioned. Sometimes it’s nice to see a pin-board with actual, physical pins in it. The opportunity to take a break from the seemingly endless computer screens in your life and spend time gazing at cheery paper snowmen is one you may be glad to take.

A paper snowman greets you from a glass display case.

“Well hello! Welcome to the UGL!”

To fill this occasional craving for the traditional, and to make the physical space of the library more visually interesting and informative, there are several displays in different parts of the library for you to enjoy. The themes change every month to keep things fresh and appropriate to the season – this month, the staff and student workers/elves have put together some holiday-focused displays to help boost your spirit during finals. We’ll give you a preview here on the blog, but you should really come in and check them out in person!

DVD cases surrounded by beautiful paper snowflakes.

UGL employees bust out their mad snowflake-makin’ skills, just for you.

Right when you enter the UGL from the plaza, this happy little case is ready to suggest some seasonal movies for you. If you’re interested in a title you see inside this mini-winter wonderland, just ask at the circulation desk, and we can fetch it for you! Then you can take it home and get just as cozy as you wanna.

Cookbooks with glorious pictures of baked goods await you.

We completely understand, but do try not to drool on the glass.

There are tons of food-themed ‘holidays’ in December. We’re not really sure how official ‘National Chocolate-Covered-Anything Day’ is, but that’s not going to stop us from celebrating it! To help you get in the culinary groove, we’ve got some cookbooks lined up in the display upstairs near the circulation desk, full of delicious holiday treats for you to make and share (or hoard). Come gaze upon these tasty cakes and be inspired.

Downstairs are where to find the suggestion binders.

We made a concerted effort to find books that are qualified to be suggested, and now we’ve got whole binders full of suggestions.

The food theme continues in the lower level! Just beyond the media collection, we’ve got more cookbooks picked out in our Y-shaped display. These aren’t necessarily holiday-specific; we’ve pulled together a wide range of cuisines and food types for you to choose from. Moroccan food? Totally covered. Any and every kind of soup? Right here. In addition to the cookbooks, you’ll find binders of suggested titles from a variety of different genres on top of the display. Pick ’em up, leaf through them, carry them around to help you locate the books on the shelf – just please return them when you’re done, so someone else can find a good read after you!

Diversity Bulletin Board with information about lots of different holiday traditions.

Celebrate ALL the traditions!

The bulletin board in the lower lobby of the UGL is sponsored by the Library’s Diversity Committee, and each month it showcases diversity in a different area. For the month of December, we’ve got a festive round-up of winter holiday traditions from around the world. Curious about Wren’s Day, or Tsagaan Sar, the Mongolian Lunar New Year? You can learn all about them, right here!

That’s what’s going on IRL at the UGL – we’re happy that you’re reading our blog, but we’d also be happy to see your faces in the library checking out our displays. Come on down and scope ’em out!

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Ho-Ho-Holiday Flicks

We know you’ve got about zero free time with finals looming (and it’s a bit tough to get in the holiday spirit when the grass is still green and temps are hovering well above freezing), but we would still like to call your attention to some holiday films in the library in case you need a little cheer during a well-deserved study break.

(Click on the image to see location/availability)
If you need a laugh…
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation movie in library catalog   Elf movie in library catalog   Bad Santa movie in library catalog   Trading Place movie in library catalog
Or…
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas, Home Alone

If you’re feeling like a kid…
A Christmas Story movie in library catalog
   A Charlie Brown Christmas movie in library catalog  The Muppet Christmas Carol in library catalog   Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer in library catalog

Or…The Polar Express

If you’re feeling nostalgic…
White Christmas movie in library catalog   Christmas in Connecticut movie in library catalog  It's a Wonderful Life movie in library catalog  Miracle on 34th Street movie in library catalog

If you’re celebrating Kwanzaa, Hanukkah or Festivus…
Twas the Night movie in library catalog  Eight Crazy Nights movie in library catalog  Seinfeld season 9 tv show in library catalog  Boyish Man movie in library catalog

If you’re in the mood for something darker…
Hercule Poirot's Christmas movie in library catalog   The Nightmare Before Christmas movie in library catalog

Or… Gremlins, Edward Scissorhands

If you’re feeling romantic…
Love Actually movie in library catalog   The Holiday movie in library catalog
Or…
The Family Stone, Four Christmases

If you’re in the mood for TV celebrations…
Doctor Who: a Christmas Carol tv show in library catalog   The Office complete series tv show in library catalog   the OC tv show in library catalog  South Park First Season tv show in library catalog
Or… Community season 2, 30 Rock season 3

What are your favorite holiday movies? Tell us in the comments!

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DIY Gifting

Thanksgiving has come and gone, and the calendars have been flipped to show that most gift-laden of months – December. You know what this means: the holiday season is undeniably in full swing, and there’s about to be some wild present-swapping happening! It’s time to start thinking about how you want to show your friends and family that you care about them.

Buying all your gifts may seem like the simplest answer, but that can be a huge drain on your wallet, and braving the hectic retail environment in search of the perfect stocking-stuffer may well result in lots of bruises and general crankiness. The alternative of making gifts yourself can save you from both overspending and taking terrible trips to the mall, and – not to get all sappy or anything – adds a little bit of extra meaning to your offering. Who wouldn’t feel special after receiving something made by hand, just for them? If that sounds like something  you’d like to have a go at, here are some handy library resources we’ve rounded up to help you give it your best!

book cover: variations on handmade holiday cards

book cover: playful cowgirl theme

Greeting Cards
by Sharon McSwiney
If you want to keep things simple, you can try making holiday cards for all your loved ones. You can make them very basic, or, using the techniques in this book, make them quite elaborate and fancy. The best part is how easy it is to send them through the mail, helping you let even your most far-away friends and family know you’re thinking of them.

 

The Happy Hooker: Stitch n’ Bitch Crochet
by Debbie Stoller
The art of crochet enables you to use a small hook to transform shapeless hunks of yarn into fantastic offerings for your more stylish friends and family members. This book will introduce you to the basic techniques and materials of the craft and provide you with over 40 project ideas to choose from. Think beyond potholders!

book cover: stylish people, including babies and dogs, in knitwear SimpleChic: Designer Knits, SuperQuick!
by Jil Eaton
Those of you already initiated into the yarn-based arts may prefer to knit items rather than crochet. If pointy sticks thrill you more than dull hooks, this book has plenty of gift ideas for you to choose from, including adorable elf hats for the babies in your life, or tiny sweaters for your dog, if that’s your thing. We won’t judge you if it is, and your canine pal is sure to love you anyway (and look very sharp!).

 

book cover: a very tiny felt owl next to a spool of thread Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share
Compiled by Margaret McGuire, Alicia Kachmar, Katie Hatz and friends
When travelling over the holidays, luggage restrictions can sometimes lead to huge bummers. One way to make sure you’re able to carry home all your painstakingly handcrafted gifts is to make them all itty-bitty. Miniature projects abound in this book, and they’re designed to use up crafting scraps left over from your other projects, so you hopefully won’t have to buy lots of new stuff! It’s a win-win, really.

 

book cover: froufrou bottles surrounded by flowers Perfumes, Scented Gifts, and Other Fragrances: Make Beautiful Gifts to Give (Or Keep)
by Kelly Reno
Smell is closely connected to memory, so if you present someone with a made-from-scratch perfume or scented oil, your generosity is not likely to be forgotten. Or, you can make season-specific smells like pine and cinnamon for yourself, and keep the holidays in your heart all year round.

 

book cover: piles of muffins in a festive basket

Christmas Gifts of Good Taste
Edited by Ann Van Wagner Childs
Gifts are one part of what makes the winter holidays such an exciting time; food is another. Why not combine the two and give food as gifts? The books in this series combine tasty recipes with charming ideas for presenting them to their recipients. You can also make some extra for yourself, obviously, to reward yourself for your hard gift-making work.

 

 

Remember – these are just starting points! Use these books to get some ideas, then adjust them to fit your own style (and the styles of the people you’re making them for!). The most important thing about a hand-made gift is the thought and care that goes into it, and that comes straight from you, not any book.  We wish you the best of luck!

(If you decide, for whatever reason, that you don’t want to make gifts yourself, you can check out a certain Pinterest board made by a certain underground library for book-buying suggestions! Your UGL librarians fully endorse books as great holiday gifts – but we may be a little biased.)

 

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Witch Ghoul’s For You?

vintage illustration of witch riding a pumpking drawn by bats Image courtesy of the New York Public Library under Creative Commons

I spot the hills
With yellow balls in autumn.
I light the prairie cornfields
Orange and tawny gold clusters
And I am called pumpkins.
On the last of October
When dusk is fallen
Children join hands
And circle around me
Singing ghost songs
And love to the harvest moon;
I am a jack-o’-lantern
With terrible teeth
And the children know
I am fooling.
Theme In Yellow by Carl Sandburg

Halloween is upon us, and whatever your creepy traditions (carving pumpkins, going all out on costumes, scary-movie marathons or telling ghost stories at haunted houses), the UGL is here to help set the mood. The UGL graduate assistants put together a list of a few books and films that would fit into anyone’s Halloween traditions. What are some of your favorite scary flicks and reads? Let us know in the comments!

DVD cover: a ghoulish family poses together

The Addams Family
Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld, starring Anjelica Huston, Raul Julia, Christina Ricci
This is a classic for Halloween. Based on a cartoon, the film has retained popularity since its 1991 release due in no small part to its playfully macabre characters. Did you know there was even a musical made in 2010 based on this quirky family? Currently, it’s touring in Brazil.

 

 

 

DVD cover: Cary Grant carries a surprised person over his shoulder

Arsenic and Old Lace
Directed by Frank Capra; starring Cary Grant, Priscilla Lane

If horror isn’t your thing, watch this classic film. On Halloween, Mortimer Brewster gets married, discovers a terrible but strangely humorous secret about his beloved aunties, attempts to deal with a cousin who believes he’s Teddy Roosevelt, and tries to force another cousin with a criminal record out of the house. Hilarity ensues.

 

 

 

DVD cover: a spooky house with figures peering out from windowsClue
Directed by Jonathan Lynn, starring Tim Curry, Madeline Kahn, Christopher Lloyd
We’ve all seen bad movie adaptations of board games and video games, but Clue is everything it should be: costumes + murder + hilarious dialogue you’ll be quoting for years. Will it be Colonel Mustard with the lead pipe? Mrs. Peacock with the knife? How high will the body count go?

 

 

 

book cover: an empty staircase in shadow.Ghosts Among Us: True Stories of Spirit Encounters
By Leslie Rule
Despite the huge number of horror films and novels available, nothing’s scarier than a real-life ghost story. In Ghosts Among Us, Rule researches reported encounters with the supernatural, which are bolstered with black and white photos of haunted locations. If you’re into more serious research on all things spooky, check out the University’s Mandeville Collection. It’s got info on everything from UFOs to witchcraft and magic. To search for items in the catalog, type “Mandeville Collection” and the choose “Subject” from the drop-down menu. Proceed at your own risk…..

 

DVD cover: demonic figure with gunHellboy
Directed by Guillermo del Toro; starring Ron Perlman and Selma Blair
Maybe it’s not directly related to Halloween, but Hellboy has got plenty of demons, monsters, and spooks to keep you entertained. If you watch the movie and want still more, why not check out some of the comics as well?

 

 

 

DVD cover: three witches shoot lightning into a full moonHocus Pocus
Directed by Kenny Ortega; starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimi
Clearly the best Halloween movie of all time. Enough said.

 

 

 

 

 

book cover: a haunted house with many spooky secrets.I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles
Photos by Walter Wick, riddles by Jean Marzollo
This fun picture book is part of a series of “find-it” riddles for kids, but the photography is unbelievable! Walter Wick creates a series of eery pictures from miniatures that really makes you feel like you’re roaming through a haunted house. And what better way to take a break from school and gear up for Halloween than playing a kid’s game?

 

 

 

book cover: image of ghostly disintegrating figureScary Stories to Tell in the Dark
By Alvin Schwartz
This is a collection of short stories that have been adapted from folklore and stands out among my best memories of reading as a kid. It is a great book to share during Halloween season. Even today, the original artwork is pretty creepy and beautiful. It’s noted by the American Library Association as the most consistently challenged books in the 1990s, so you know it has to be good!

 

 

book cover: Horse with eerily-lit skeleton headSomething Wicked This Way Comes
By Ray Bradbury
The story is about two boys–one born just before midnight on Halloween, the other born just after midnight. The circus has come to town, and there’s something that is just not quite right. The story investigates what it means to be young, to be scared, and it will scare your boots right off. Ray Bradbury presents realistic characters with real wants and needs, and mixes in the horror of a circus gone wrong with a dying summer and the need to escape in the just right way.

Need some more spooktacular recommendations?

 

Check out the UGL’s Pinterest board Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps) for more haunting suggestions!

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