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Monday, October 22, 2007

Treats of the season -

A few posts ago, I said that I would share some of my favorite picture books of October.

I love everything about the fall - the leaves, the late season produce (and subsequent food), the temperatures, the colors, the textures... Here are a few books that explore those things beautifully.


And then there is Halloween! I love Halloween. Not the scary, horror/slasher movie aspect that is becoming more popular all the time, but the fun-creepy aspects that are just an extension of the fall season and its mythological and mystic components. A few years ago I went on a serious search for picture books that captured some of that for me. These are the best I've come up with thus far (send me your suggestions!)


The book, Halloween, by Harry Behn and illustrated by Greg Couch is a nearly perfect depiction of the season. (The only thing that would have made it better for me would have been a substitution of purple in the book's palette for all the blues used...)


In addition to the treat of good picture books, I just received a wonderful acquisition from Ullabenulla's Etsy shop. It came fabulously and creatively packaged -



-and contained a wonderful, Halloween reliquary pin - complete with a gorgeous iridescent beetle (see this post for another decorative beetle purchase. It's a theme) ! Perfect for me! Fabulous of Ulla. Check out her blog and shop if you aren't familiar with them. You are in for a yet another treat.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

Great book choices! Some of them I don't know. It's a shame that all the commercialization makes us have to look a little deeper for the spirit of the season.

Merisi said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful books and gifts! :-)

Anonymous said...

I've just posted some books for Halloween (grown up) but these are so much more fun.

Rebecca E. Parsons/Cre8Tiva said...

i love your halloween preparations...the books are just fab...hope you survived the storms without damage...blessings, rebecca

dinahmow said...

I haven't stopped by for a few days so didn't know about your storms. Yes, fun if you are not being hit too hard!
Autumn's my favourite, too, although growing up in NZ we didn't "do" the Halloween to the extent USA does.Maybe I should write about our Guy Fawkes Night?

Naturegirl said...

Tara I've been out of sorts lately..a horrible trick on me..virus and all so I have missed coming here.I continue to look through my collection of ~the fairy Chronicles~ so I feel you are always near.
Autumn NOT my favorite season..however I do LoVe the preparation for ~the night when pumpkins stare~..your magic charm is precious..hugs NG

Anonymous said...

The Couch illustrations are fabulous.
And what is it about pumpkins that just make me want to draw?
Isn't it fun to be old enough and of sufficient means to be able to buy all the really cool kids books, and then keep them?

LDahl said...

♥Bless your heart!♥ Thank you for the lovely surprise in my mailbox!
My old mom kept wandering over to look at your leaves today. She enjoyed your gifty as much as I did.:) Which made it twice as special to me! Thank you so very much!

I love coming to your blog, I always seem to spend quite a bit of time just looking at all your pictures and reading what is going on with you. I wander off for awhile but pretty soon I'm back taking another peek. This time I've stalled out here in the book section, I'm like you, the folk-tradition aspect of Halloween is what makes it my favorite holiday.

cindy said...

i like 'the widow's broom' by chris van allburg! (not sure how to spell the last name!)

xxxxx said...

Oh those books look so luscious... Enjoy your seasonal perusal of them! I'm so glad you treated yourself to a charm by the talented Ulla. This one is particularly sweet!

Lunabee said...

ooh that Halloween book looks gorgeous i may treat myself to it for my collection! x