“The monster emerged during the full moon. The wise avoided the woods after sundown.” A terrified kitty walks in the woods…all
alone. She trips! Suddenly she hears rustling, then…So starts the scary, new Halloween adventure of
Babymouse: Monster Mash, featuring guest appearances by the Mummy, Count Dracula, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon (through her imagination, of course). Out of all the books in the Babymouse series, this is one of the best. Sister-and-brother team Jennifer Holm and Matthew Holm deliver a message for kids who’ve had to deal with their own “
monsters” (bullies) that is not too preachy and full of the trademark Babymouse humor. In this episode, Babymouse must again deal with her archrival, Felicia Furrypaws, who like a vampire threatens to “suck the fun out of everything”. First Felicia forces her own invitation to Babymouse’s Halloween party, where Babymouse must serve the food and drink that Felicia likes. Next Felicia orders Babymouse to dress up like a fairy instead of something scary. Then Felicia demands that Babymouse trick-or-treat with her and her gang. And, as if the night couldn’t get any worse, when everyone else in the group gets candy and sweets, Babymouse the tooth fairy is stuck with toothpaste and dental floss! Then the night takes a turn toward the Darkside. Felicia pulls out a wad of toilet paper and makes them TP a house. At another home, they throw eggs. Babymouse goes along, even though she knows it’s wrong. The final straw is when Felicia bullies a poor little trick-or-treater into giving up his candy – and it turns out to be one of Babymouse’s best friends! You’ll cheer when Babymouse finally stands up to this feline bully. I recommend the entire Babymouse series.