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Cranberryport
Cranberry Halloween
The citizens of Cranberryport need to raise money to build a new dock after theirs was destroyed in a storm. Almost everyone in town volunteers to help, with Mr. Whiskers volunteering to keep the money they raise in his grandfather's old moneybox. Cranky Mr. Grape not only refuses to donate money to the cause but he insists that it's a mistake to trust Mr. Whiskers with the money because he is sloppy and careless. However, Maggie's grandmother speaks up for Mr. Whiskers, and he gets the job of treasurer.
On their way to the town party on Halloween night, Maggie and Mr. Whiskers are confronted by two men in pirate costumes trying to steal the old moneybox. Maggie and Mr. Whiskers hide in the spooky old house where Mr. Whiskers's aunt used to live, but the pirates are still waiting for them outside. What are they going to do?
This 1982 classic returns along with another mouthwatering Devlin recipe, this time for Cranberry Dessert!
On their way to the town party on Halloween night, Maggie and Mr. Whiskers are confronted by two men in pirate costumes trying to steal the old moneybox. Maggie and Mr. Whiskers hide in the spooky old house where Mr. Whiskers's aunt used to live, but the pirates are still waiting for them outside. What are they going to do?
This 1982 classic returns along with another mouthwatering Devlin recipe, this time for Cranberry Dessert!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1982
2 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 3, 2018
The Cranberry books never fail to entertain me. Mr. Grape is the town sourpuss. He has money and he does not like Mr. Whiskers. A storm takes out the town dock and they come together to raise money to rebuild it. Mr. Whiskers volunteers to collect the money in his money box.
On Halloween he and Maggie are making their way over to the party with the money when they are chased by two men dressed as pirates wanting the money. They go into an old spooky house to evade them. Well, they outsmart them and make it to townhouse with the money.
Mr. Whiskers is dressed like a ghost the whole time and Maggie is a clown, but she isn't very creepy as she doesn't do her make-up. He clothes are funny. This book does not disappoint. It's Cranberry at its best mood and setting. There is a lot of food in this one and it makes me hungry. The recipe is a Cranberry Dessert.
The nephew loved this one and he gave it 4 stars. I am not showing my niece any books with scary in them as she is in a place she can't sleep with them. She is missing out.
I hope people give this series a try. It is wonderful.
On Halloween he and Maggie are making their way over to the party with the money when they are chased by two men dressed as pirates wanting the money. They go into an old spooky house to evade them. Well, they outsmart them and make it to townhouse with the money.
Mr. Whiskers is dressed like a ghost the whole time and Maggie is a clown, but she isn't very creepy as she doesn't do her make-up. He clothes are funny. This book does not disappoint. It's Cranberry at its best mood and setting. There is a lot of food in this one and it makes me hungry. The recipe is a Cranberry Dessert.
The nephew loved this one and he gave it 4 stars. I am not showing my niece any books with scary in them as she is in a place she can't sleep with them. She is missing out.
I hope people give this series a try. It is wonderful.
October 27, 2021
When Cranberryport's dock is destroyed in a storm, the townspeople all work together to raise the funds to replace it, with Mr. Whiskers serving as treasurer, and the collected funds to be presented at the town's upcoming Halloween party. But on the fateful night itself, Mr. Whiskers and Maggie - dressed as a ghost and a clown - find themselves pursued by two rough characters in pirate garb, and must hide in a reputed haunted house. Managing to evade the pirates, the two friends make their way to town, where they discover that being waylaid was no accident, and that town miser Mr. Grape took a hand in the affair...
Originally published in 1982, Cranberry Halloween was Wende and Harry Devlin's fourth picture-book set in the fictional New England town of Cranberryport, located somewhere along the rocky coastline, next to a cranberry bog. Although it is normally my habit to read series (yes, even picture-book series) in order, I have not done so with these books, reading them as they came to hand, and I was able to track them down. This is my eighth book in the series - there are fifteen altogether: nine full-sized hardcover picture-books, and six smaller paperback titles - and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It has all of the charm of the others, with a quirky cast of small town characters, a fun story, and appealing, old-fashioned illustrations. The Halloween elements - the costumes, the haunted house, the seasonal party - were quite charming. As always with these books, there is a cranberry recipe at the rear, this time for Cranberry Dessert. All in all, an enjoyable entry in the series, one I would recommend to fans of the Cranberryport books, to picture-book readers looking for fun Halloween stories, and to those who enjoy vintage picture-book art.
Originally published in 1982, Cranberry Halloween was Wende and Harry Devlin's fourth picture-book set in the fictional New England town of Cranberryport, located somewhere along the rocky coastline, next to a cranberry bog. Although it is normally my habit to read series (yes, even picture-book series) in order, I have not done so with these books, reading them as they came to hand, and I was able to track them down. This is my eighth book in the series - there are fifteen altogether: nine full-sized hardcover picture-books, and six smaller paperback titles - and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It has all of the charm of the others, with a quirky cast of small town characters, a fun story, and appealing, old-fashioned illustrations. The Halloween elements - the costumes, the haunted house, the seasonal party - were quite charming. As always with these books, there is a cranberry recipe at the rear, this time for Cranberry Dessert. All in all, an enjoyable entry in the series, one I would recommend to fans of the Cranberryport books, to picture-book readers looking for fun Halloween stories, and to those who enjoy vintage picture-book art.
July 19, 2025
CRANLESSONS
~Whoever has an old money box should be appointed Treasurer, clearly.
~Spending more time at the Town Hall seems like a solid way to build better community.
~Grandmother is right: “Mr. Whiskers would NEVER let his friends down.” So shut up, Mr. Grape!
~Whoever has an old money box should be appointed Treasurer, clearly.
~Spending more time at the Town Hall seems like a solid way to build better community.
~Grandmother is right: “Mr. Whiskers would NEVER let his friends down.” So shut up, Mr. Grape!
October 31, 2024
3.5🌟 A fun book to read at Halloween-time with my favorite characters from Cranberry Thanksgiving. Though this story is not quite as good as Cranberry Thanksgiving, it's still a really great choice for reading on Halloween day! I definitely recommend buying the book—for the sense of nostalgia, entertaining story and colorful (and expressive) illustrations.
October 25, 2015
In another Wende and Harry Devlin Cranberry book, it's Mr. Whiskers against Mr. Grape again. Mr. Whiskers is chosen to be the treasurer for the fundraiser to build a new dock for the town. Mr. Grape doesn't want Mr. Whiskers to be treasurer and won't contribute to the fund. What will happen when on Halloween, two men in pirate costumes chase Maggie and Mr. Whiskers trying to steal the money box away? And could Mr. Grape somehow be involved? Read this book to find out and also to try another recipe from the end of the book, Cranberry Dessert. JM (Utica)
December 18, 2013
Another fun book in the Cranberryport series. This one involves a community effort to rebuild a dock that had been swept away in a storm. Mr. Grape, the grumpy neighbor, once again tries to foil Mr. Whiskers' efforts, but of course, there's a happy ending. It's a fun book to read aloud and great for Halloween. We enjoyed reading it together.
June 29, 2009
cute. simple. the characters wear costumes and there's a scary old house, but otherwise not too Halloween-y. Mr Whiskers makes me think of Hagrid in the Harry Potter books. I love the little slice of northeastern rural American culture. and since the Cranberry books always end with recipe, it's a fun way to get kids interested in cooking.
September 26, 2013
Another fun Cranberryport story. Explaining why Mr Grape was angry to a 3 yr old was hard , but I guess that's because his dislike of Mr Whiskers is silly anyway. I love the idea of a community party with donuts and cider though!
November 1, 2014
The people in Cranberry port are trying to raise money for a new dock and Mr. Whiskers has been named treasurer and will look after the money, this angers his nasty neighbor who sets out to make sure the money doesn't get delivered on Halloween.
February 12, 2008
This book is about people trick-or-treating for Halloween.
October 18, 2013
We love the cranberry books. This was another enjoyable one. We were able to get a used copy but it didn't have the recipe, does anyone know what the recipe is?
We enjoy making them...
thanks!
We enjoy making them...
thanks!
September 12, 2014
Great addition to our Halloween book collection. Love these characters!
July 21, 2014
My five-year-old daughter loves these books.
November 23, 2015
There's something really appealing about the characters and events in these stories.
September 20, 2017
We are never disappointed in the Cranberry series. They have that feel of a time gone by but the stories are really timeless. Always recommend.
November 1, 2021
Even longer than the Old Witch books, the Devlins' Cranberry books have been a part of my holiday life. Particularly Cranberry Thanksgiving, but last year I learned that they have other Cranberry holiday books and sought some of them out.
Halloween is just background to the actual drama going on in this one, but Devlin's illustrations make it atmospheric and Maggie and Mr Whiskers have an especially exciting adventure this time. I especially love the tendency of this series to wrap things up with the villains getting a no harm no foul slap on the wrist. Low stakes can be enjoyable too.
Halloween is just background to the actual drama going on in this one, but Devlin's illustrations make it atmospheric and Maggie and Mr Whiskers have an especially exciting adventure this time. I especially love the tendency of this series to wrap things up with the villains getting a no harm no foul slap on the wrist. Low stakes can be enjoyable too.
November 28, 2024
I was first introduced to this series as a child with A Cranberry Thanksgiving. My mother made the recipe included in the back of the book. I love the plot and characters. The theme of trust and learning to evaluate people to determine whom you ought to trust is an important one. The book is comforting and the illustrations warm and cheering. The characters recur throughout the Cranberry holiday books. This book adds the theme of learning right from wrong and rectifying bad deeds in a truly meaningful way.
October 11, 2018
The citizens of Cranberryport decides to raise money to rebuild the dock that was destroyed during a storm. Cranky old Mr. Grape is against Mr. Whiskers being the treasurer of the money. Two masked robbers on Halloween try to rob Mr. Whiskers and Maggie on their way to the town's party with the money. A recipe for Cranberry Desert is included at the end of the story.
November 4, 2018
Good prevails in this story with all of the familiar Cranberry cast of characters. As always, the delicious cranberry recipe at the end is the star of this quaint tale. A true highlight to the Halloween Holiday.
May 5, 2022
Join Grandmother, Maggie and Mr. Whiskers in another mystery adventure story set in Cranberryport, a small town off the New England coast. Someone wants to steal Mr. Whisker's moneybox. Which one of the townspeople is it?
April 22, 2019
I read books to my niece on FaceTime. We both love Halloween books, even when it isn't Halloween.
October 6, 2021
Boring.
August 11, 2022
Super cute, love the illustrations, and the storyline is adorable! Highly recommend!
September 26, 2022
Not quite as creative as the earlier books, but still cute.
November 7, 2023
My least favorite of the Cranberry books so far, but it's still cute. Has a bit of a Scooby-Doo vibe with the revelation of the "villains" at the end.
September 24, 2024
This has a Scooby-Doo vibe to it and that is how it played out in my head as I read it. Also reminds me of the old Christmas animated shows. Check out the Thanksgiving and Christmas stories also.
January 1, 2026
Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.
The second of the books in this series I have investigated, and I am officially a fan. As a mystery lover myself, this series feels like a fabulous way to introduce the genre to a younger elementary reader without giving them something too intense. For being an older series (she says about a book that was released when she was in first grade), it still reads well. I look forward to adding more from this series to my gifting list -- after checking them out first myself, of course!
The second of the books in this series I have investigated, and I am officially a fan. As a mystery lover myself, this series feels like a fabulous way to introduce the genre to a younger elementary reader without giving them something too intense. For being an older series (she says about a book that was released when she was in first grade), it still reads well. I look forward to adding more from this series to my gifting list -- after checking them out first myself, of course!
November 1, 2019
A cute addition to the Cranberry Series! 🎃👻
October 31, 2024
This has long been a Fall favorite of our family! I love the small town family and all their holiday adventures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews