#FraterfestRat #NetGalley Book Review: The Secret Halloween Costume by Sophie Vaillancourt

This is a nice Halloween story promoting fun rather than scary costumes.
The Secret Halloween Costume
by Sophie Vaillancourt

Publisher ‏ : ‎ CrackBoom! Books; New edition (September 21, 2021)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 24 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 2898022454
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6 years
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 2
Genre: Children, Halloween, Holiday
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0.

A Halloween story for little ones!
Charlotte is a young witch. For Halloween, her family insists she must wear her darkest clothes and scariest makeup. After all, a witch must be spooky! But Charlotte doesn't want to follow tradition - she wants to wear something that reflects who she is. She asks her grandmother to sew her a secret costume... But what will it be?
An adorable Halloween story about an enthusiastic little witch who follows her heart and inspires others to do the same!

Review:
Charlotte has been told that it is tradition for a young witch to wear a scary witch costume at Halloween. Charlotte just doesn’t want to be scary. She asks her friends but when they search the costumes in the attic, they find scary costumes. Fortunately, Charlotte has a Granny who is a bit of free thinker and helps her create a costume she is happy with.

I found the illustrations delightful. The story is okay and nice for the halloween holiday. However, I think it could be made clearer that Charlotte wasn’t going behind her mother’s back to be disrespectful. A parent might have to explain the choices between tradition and new ideas and consider better ways to handle the situation than possibly setting one family member against another. I recommend this to families where parents help their children understand tradition, while allowing them creativity.

Source: NetGalley 2021. #FraterfestRat #4. This qualifies for 2021NetGalley goal.

Halloween Giveaway: Treats No Tricks!

Once again another week has slipped by.  I wanted to get this Contest post up so I could mail the prizes earlier but now it will have to be the last week of October.

This is my October/Halloween Giveaway - some fun items and some books to read!
Packages #1 and #2 are limited to US for shipping. Sorry.

Package #1:

Contents from lower right going clockwise:

Halloween cookie cutters (metal)

Window Cling Stickers for Fall

Two piece pot holder/mit set - rooster design

Happy Haunting Sign

Homemade Frankenstein Soap

Some candy - of course and

a large tote bag from author Georgia Evans

Plus eBook (see info below)

Package #2:

Contents from lower right going clockwise:

Halloween cookie cutters (plastic)

Two piece pot holder/mit set -apple design

Candy Corn little photo album

Homemade Frankenstein Soap

Happy Halloween Sign

Some candy - of course and

a large tote bag from author S.J. Day/Shayla Black

Plus eBook (see info below)

Here is a close up of the cute soaps which are handmade by one of my Assistants.  She said to mention they are natural but contain Orange Dye  #2.)

 
When I went looking for a good book for Halloween I came across two Anthologies by some author friends. When I contacted the publisher she very kindly donated two print books and two eBooks - Thank you Rebecca!

So each of the packages above will include an Anthology ebook.  #1 will get the Sweet Anthology eBook and #2 will get the Stimulating Anthology eBook.
To learn more about Victory Press visit their link.
Also you can learn a bit about the authors by visiting Rebecca J. Vickery, Author and Publisher.  Scroll down to the October 1st post for more descriptions of the stories and check the comments there for author links.

Packages #3 and #4 are open to US and Canada Residents.
Package #3

Print Book:
A Halloween Collection Anthology: Sweet
from Victory Press

Package #4

Print Book:

A Halloween Collection Anthology: Stimulating

from Victory Press

I will mail out the books so I will include a few small surprise goodies with Packages #3 and #4.

INTERNATIONAL ONLY:

This is only for my international friends since US and Canada get other chances:
One International Winner gets $15.00 Choice: Book Depository or Gift Card or PayPal

This time I am using a Form for Entry. Twitter or Post the Giveaway for Extra Entries to be completed in the Form.
For more Extra Entries:
Comment on this post telling me (Q1) if you celebrate Halloween and (Q2) what is your favorite costume?

This Giveaway closes 10PM Central October 26, 2010.

What's Your Halloween Personality??

This is the Sweet and Sensual Romances Group game today courtesy of Blogthings.com! The link is at the bottom of the post.

What's Your Halloween Personality?

http://www.blogthings.com/whatsyourhalloweenperson...

The scariest thing on Halloween is you! You definitely don't want any kids in costumes crossing your path - and you're willing to scare away any who do.

You're weird. You're downright deviant. And you use dressing up in a costume as an excuse to act out.

Your inner child is stubborn and a bit bossy.

You truly fear the dark side of humanity. You are a true misanthrope.

You're logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you... especially when it comes to the paranormal.

You are picky and high maintenance. If you wear a Halloween costume, it's only when you really feel like it. And it has to be perfect.

What's Your Halloween Personality?