The Big Book of Halloween

The Big Book of Halloween is indeed a very big book, offering--as the subtitle says--"Creative & Creepy Projects for Revellers of All Ages."

In fact, it's one of the biggest, most interesting, and most complete Halloween books ever written. There are enough ideas in this book to provide fresh projects for years of happy Halloweens.

Crafts

Oh, it's easy enough to go to any chain store and buy fake headstones for your front yard. The problem is, they all look alike. Your next-door neighbor may have the exact same headstones in his yard... and that takes a lot of the fun out of it.

But, this book shows how simple it is to make your own, one-of-a-kind pretend headstones. And, the results are vastly more impressive than the plastic versions in stores.

For an evening project in front of the TV, why not make some quick and easy needlepoint refrigerator magnets? This book includes three wonderful little patterns that you could probably complete in one night.

The Vampire "Velcome" Mat is another clever project, and you can enlarge the pattern in the book if you're artistically challenged.

The soda can votive lamps are innovative and fabulous. They'd be a great Scout project, too.

Harry Potter fans will adapt the Witchy Lamp Shade to look like the Sorting Hat. This isn't a simple project, but the results are well worth the effort. You'll display this delightful lamp every year.

Recipes

The recipe section offers some intriguing treats. The Peanut Butter Pumpkins look great, but I'm not sure if they'd be as tasty as they look. But, the list of "Frightening Foods" (which foods to use for pretend brains, hearts, kidneys, eyeballs, etc.) will be a hit at any children's party.

Costumes

The pages of costume ideas improve upon the usual ho-hum witch and pirate costumes. However, some of the costumes were clearly a stretch. I'm not sure who'd want to dress up as a picnic table, for example.

However, a Scout or youth group leader might have tremendous fun with some of these absurd ideas.

Four pages about face painting cover the basics, and make a good alternative to masks, although several mask designs are included in this section, too.

Everything else

Some of the small crafts projects are eerie and clever. For example, the Halloween Ghoul Pin looks very impressive, and uses simple polymer clay techniques.

But other suggestions--such as the play clay--are good references only if you've not seen them elsewhere.

Scout and youth group leaders will appreciate the games in this book, such as the "Sinister Twist Game," a variation on Twister.

This book also includes a series of classic "ghost stories" and creepy tales, ideal for reading aloud to your family or party guests.

Summary

The Big Book of Halloween belongs on your bookshelf if you have annual Halloween party at Scouts, church, or any youth group. Or, if your family has a tradition of Halloween parties, you'll get good use from this book, year after year.

In some categories, it tries too hard to cover too many topics. However, this book offers enough original and fabulously clever projects and ideas, to make it a worthwhile Halloween reference book.