Parents' Guide to

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Book Marisa Montes Holiday 2006
Los Gatos Black on Halloween Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Patricia Tauzer By Patricia Tauzer , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 5+

Haunting rhymes create ghoulish treat.

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Why Age 5+?

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What's the Story?

Black cats, witches, skeletons, and ghouls come out on Halloween night, and at the midnight hour join other creatures of the night for a party in a haunted mansion.

They dance and party until, with a sudden "rap, rap, rap," they are interrupted by the scariest of intruders.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN is a remarkably original Halloween book that is especially enjoyable when read aloud. Each set of pages presents a cleverly written quatrain set playfully against the gray tones and rounded lines of the somewhat surreal illustrations.

The poetry finds perfect balance with the amazing paintings, all playfully humorous yet eerie and strange. Lines mix English and Spanish words, which flow musically against the backdrop of the spine-tingling illustrations to create a simple story in which traditions of an American Halloween intermingle with the Mexican Dia de los Muertos. Marisa Montes adds a clever twist, drawing her story to an interesting conclusion that will surprise and entertain kids and adults.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about different Halloween traditions. Why do we dress up? Why do we carve pumpkins, look out for black cats, and worry about skeletons, witches, and ghouls? This also would be a good time to discuss Mexico's Dia de los Muertos and its traditions.

Book Details

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