The Night of the Paper Bag Monsters

by Helen Craig

"This pleasing holiday story gets high marks for its expressive watercolor illustrations." - BOOKLIST

Susie and Alfred are neighbors, and best friends. But when they try to make scary costumes together for a special Halloween party, they get into a terrible fight. Will they ever finish their costumes? And will they make up in time for the party?

Genres: Halloween, Friendship, Childrens, Picture Books, Animals

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Helen Craig is a British children's book illustrator and author, best known for creating the Angelina Ballerina series of children's books with writer Katharine Holabird.

Craig began illustrating children's books in 1970. The first book which she had both written and illustrated was The Mouse House ABC, published in 1977. With author Sarah Hayes, she also created Bear, a popular children's character who appears in This Is The Bear (1986), This Is The Bear and the Picnic Lunch (1988), and This Is The Bear and the Scary Night (1992).

Reviews

[Shin Gaku]

Pictures are very cute and warm. The story is funny and the ending is mysetrious. This is a masterpiece of picture books.

[Mort's Kids]

There's something extremely endearing about this story of two friends who fight and make up over some Halloween costumes. It gives me "nostalgia-for-a-simpler-time" vibes that I find charming, despite it being a pretty paint-by-numbers story.

[Stephen Snyder]

This booknreally got my preschool students thinking about their friendships. They thought about how many times they have had disagreements resulting in the end of a friendship which becomes reborn a little later on.

Bravo Helen Craig!

Thank you for the loan Franklin Public Library!

[Anne Robertson]

Alfred and Susie are best friends but they get into an argument and go their separate ways. Then they realize that they are better together than apart. Great for emphasizing team work and being part of a community.

[Barkshire Woods]

Easy book that kids can relate to what the characters are going through and easy to discuss with them, "What do you think? What would you do? What would your costume look like. Do you think they stay mad or forgive each other?"

[Erika]

I thought this was a fantastic book for my nieces to show them you don't need a crazy expensive stupid costume from a store, it's much more green and fun to make them.

[Heather]

30 months - A very short Halloween read. Making your own costume can be fun AND true friends can't stay mad long.

[Paula]

Pig friends Susie and Alfred quarrel while preparing for a costume party but make up in time to go together as scary paper bag monsters.