Candlewick Press Presents Spooky Book Titles for Halloween

Vampire Baby

by Kelly Bennett, Illustrated by Paul Meisel

July 2013 | HC: 9780763646912 | $15.99 | Ages 4-7 | 32 pages

When Tootie gets her first teeth, it's clear to her big brother that she's no ordinary baby. But how to convince Mom and Dad?

It happens overnight: little sister Tootie goes from cuddly, ga-ga-goo-goo, I-want-my-binky baby to . . . vampire baby.Now she's sinking her pointy fangs into everything-furniture, toys, and especially her big brother ("Youch, Tootie! No bite!"). Mom insists that it's just a phase, but Tootie's brother knows better. Just look at her hairline! Or the fact that all her favorite foods are blood red! With perfect comic timing, Kelly Bennett and Paul Meisel give a fresh slant to the new-baby story, proving that even monstrous little arrivals have a funny way of staking their siblings' affections. View the trailer

Ghost in the House

by Ammi-Joan Paquette, Illustrated by Adam Record

July 2013 | HC: 9780763655297 | $15.99 | 3-7 years | 32 Pages

Boo! Watch out for this rollicking, cumulative counting book for a Halloween treat that's more playful than scary.

When a little ghost goes slip-sliding down the hallway, he suddenly hears . . . a groan! Turns out it's only a friendly mummy, who shuffles along with the ghost, until they encounter . . . a monster! As the cautious explorers continue, they find a surprise at every turn-and add another adorably ghoulish friend to the count. But you'll never guess who is the scariest creature in the house!

Filbert, the good little fiend

by Hiawyn Oram, Illustrated by Jimmy Liao

July 2013 | HC: 9780763658700 | $15.99 | Ages 3-7 | 32 pages

A little fiend who's too good for his own good befriends an angel who is too naughty-and together they concoct a clever plan.

Daddy and Mommy Fiend want their little Filbert to be gruesome and ghastly, but he won't trample or terrify, roar or holler. He'd much rather help an old lady with her bags or go bird-watching. What are they to do with him? When Filbert starts school, he quickly learns that good behavior isn't tolerated in class, and he is banished outside until he can act like a proper little fiend. Suddenly a little angel appears, flying fast and furious until . . . bump! Could this naughty Angel-School dropout be just the friend Filbert needs? Could they find a way together to make everyone accept them as they are?

THE MUSIC OF ZOMBIES

by Vivian French, Illustrated by Ross Collins

July 2013 | HC: 9780763659301 | $15.99 | Ages 8-12 | 304 pages

The web of power looks smooth and peaceful-until a new threat looms-in the fifth tale from the Five Kingdoms.

Prince Albion expects a unique occasion when he starts planning Cockenzie Rood Day to celebrate his kingdom-and himself. What he doesn't expect is boppings on the head and kidnapping, all because a zombie wants to play his fiddle in the talent contest. With a misbehaving path, a romantic bat, and a greedy butler to set them on their way, Gracie Gillypot and Prince Marcus are off on their fifth adventure. It's up to a Trueheart, a resourceful prince, and Gubble the troll to stop the zombie before he does some giant damage to the Five Kingdoms.

Feral Nights

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

February 2013 | HC: 9780763659097 | 14 years and up | 304 pages

Fans of the Tantalize quartet will thrill to see werepossum Clyde and other favorite secondary characters-plus all-new ones-take to the fore in Book One of an all-new series.

When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, Werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of werearmadillo pal Travis. When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species and its cult of worshippers. Their hosts harbor a grim secret: staging high-profile safaris for wealthy patrons with evil pedigrees, which means that at least one newcomer to the island is about to be hunted. As both wereprey and werepredator fight to stay alive, it's up to mild-mannered Clyde - a perennial sidekick - to summon the hero within. Can he surprise even himself?