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Halloween Poems
Eighteen poems celebrate the holiday of pumpkins, black cats, witches, and ghosts.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published September 1, 1989
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65 people want to read
About the author
Myra Cohn Livingston
95 books14 followersMyra Cohn Livingston was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Her family moved to California when she was 12 years old. She studied the French horn from age 12 to age 20, becoming so good that the Los Angeles Philharmonic invited her to join them when she was 16 years old. She had other plans. She knew she wanted to write.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 24, 2021
Eighteen poems from various authors are presented by editor and contributor Myra Cohn Livingston in this Halloween collection, and paired with the eerie illustrations of Stephen Gammell. Witches, jack-o-lanterns, trick-or-treating, an oblique treatment of the gingerbread house from
Hansel and Gretel
(this by Jane Yolen) - all these and other subjects are explored in the selections here, whose style varies as much as the subject matter. The Acknowledgements page at the rear of the book indicates that while some of the poems were taken from existing publications, a number of them were commissioned especially for this book...
Originally published in 1989, and now out of print, Halloween Poems is a title I stumbled across by accident, while searching for an entirely different book for the season. Having greatly enjoyed Stephen Gammell's deliciously creepy illustrations in Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (and sequels), I was immediately drawn to the cover image, and decided to give this book a try, on the basis of the artwork alone. I was certainly not disappointed in the visuals here, finding them wonderfully spooky, with that surreal grotesquerie that I have come to associate with Gammell's work in this vein. The poems themselves were a mixed bag, some enjoyable, some leaving me indifferent. My favorites were Pumpkin People by John Ridland, about the fairy-like beings which inhabit the inside of a jack-o-lantern for the season, and Incident on Beggar's Night by J. Patrick Lewis, about a little girl who dresses herself in witch's garb, and sails off into the night. Recommended to young readers looking for Halloween poetry, as well as to fans of Gammell's wonderful (but very disturbing) artwork.
Originally published in 1989, and now out of print, Halloween Poems is a title I stumbled across by accident, while searching for an entirely different book for the season. Having greatly enjoyed Stephen Gammell's deliciously creepy illustrations in Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (and sequels), I was immediately drawn to the cover image, and decided to give this book a try, on the basis of the artwork alone. I was certainly not disappointed in the visuals here, finding them wonderfully spooky, with that surreal grotesquerie that I have come to associate with Gammell's work in this vein. The poems themselves were a mixed bag, some enjoyable, some leaving me indifferent. My favorites were Pumpkin People by John Ridland, about the fairy-like beings which inhabit the inside of a jack-o-lantern for the season, and Incident on Beggar's Night by J. Patrick Lewis, about a little girl who dresses herself in witch's garb, and sails off into the night. Recommended to young readers looking for Halloween poetry, as well as to fans of Gammell's wonderful (but very disturbing) artwork.
October 12, 2025
The poems in this really aren't that great, to be honest. There were three or four I liked and the rest were meh to kind of bad. Even with the mindset of these poems being simple, silly, and targeted for kids, they still don't hold up.
The real highlight of this book is the magnificent illustrations by the talented Stephen Gammell; which is, admittedly, what drew my attention to this in the first place.
This book is also very rare and expensive online, so unless you have a hundred or more dollars to cough up (which isn't really worth it unless you're a collector of Gammell's illustrated works) I'd suggest a pass on this, or maybe get a copy through the library, like I did.
2⭐
The real highlight of this book is the magnificent illustrations by the talented Stephen Gammell; which is, admittedly, what drew my attention to this in the first place.
This book is also very rare and expensive online, so unless you have a hundred or more dollars to cough up (which isn't really worth it unless you're a collector of Gammell's illustrated works) I'd suggest a pass on this, or maybe get a copy through the library, like I did.
2⭐
February 20, 2017
Bought this for the Stephen Gammell illustrations, which are fab. The book is a kid book so I shouldn't try to rate it, but the poems didn't do anything for me...Shel Silverstein, for example, still does.
November 7, 2017
I love Halloween.
It’s always been my favorite holiday. I’m not sure exactly why, but I suspect the main reason I love Halloween so much is because it’s all about the macabre. And since darkness and the macabre have always fascinated me, to have a holiday centered around it is pure awesome. That, and the leftover candy. XD
But anyway, one day, I stumbled across Stephen Gammell’s art. When reading up on it, mostly the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, I then came across this book, and all the memories came flooding back. This was one of the scary stories books I loved to borrow from the library when I was a kid, along with the “Poems to Trouble Your Sleep” book series. And a few years later, I was able to find a decently-priced copy online, and so purchased it. Just a heads up though, “decently priced” copies are pretty much always former library books, and the non-library book versions often sell for at least a hundred bucks. Thanfkully, the library binding on my copy ended up being easy to remove, so much so that you’d never think it was one. If only there was a company out here like there is in Japan, where you can request them to re-print old books…
But anyway, the topic here is the book itself, not finding a copy. So what all is there to say?
First off, the main, if not only draw about the book is the art. Drawn by Stephen Gammell, the illustrations have the same feel as those from Scary Stories. Which is to say, surreal and freakish while simultaneously well-detailed. The illustrations range from vaguely off-putting to outright grotesque, all the while giving off a vintage 80’s and 90’s vibe. As a geek for 90’s pop culture, I love this kind of nostalgia, and another random thing my copy has, being an ex-library book, is the smell when the pages are sniffed. Anyone else like that smell? It’s random, but I do - makes me think back to visiting the library.
The poems themselves are generally rather lame, and pretty forgettable. A poem I’m rather surprised they got into the book, especially when it’s ostensibly for kids, is entitled “From Ghoulies and Ghosts”…and is a request from the Lord to deliver people from the macabre. I’m not a fan of this, partly because of my negative views on religion, and partly because it seems rather out of place in a book about Halloween. But that’s just me. And when you try and look at the poems from a kid’s perspective, some of them actually do manage to be a bit creepy, though that’s more due to the illustrations than how they’re written.
All in all, I enjoy the book as a piece of 90’s nostalgia - it was released in 1989, but close enough. Recommended, especially if you’re a fan of Stephen Gammell’s art - that's what makes it worth purchasing, by a longshot.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
It’s always been my favorite holiday. I’m not sure exactly why, but I suspect the main reason I love Halloween so much is because it’s all about the macabre. And since darkness and the macabre have always fascinated me, to have a holiday centered around it is pure awesome. That, and the leftover candy. XD
But anyway, one day, I stumbled across Stephen Gammell’s art. When reading up on it, mostly the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books, I then came across this book, and all the memories came flooding back. This was one of the scary stories books I loved to borrow from the library when I was a kid, along with the “Poems to Trouble Your Sleep” book series. And a few years later, I was able to find a decently-priced copy online, and so purchased it. Just a heads up though, “decently priced” copies are pretty much always former library books, and the non-library book versions often sell for at least a hundred bucks. Thanfkully, the library binding on my copy ended up being easy to remove, so much so that you’d never think it was one. If only there was a company out here like there is in Japan, where you can request them to re-print old books…
But anyway, the topic here is the book itself, not finding a copy. So what all is there to say?
First off, the main, if not only draw about the book is the art. Drawn by Stephen Gammell, the illustrations have the same feel as those from Scary Stories. Which is to say, surreal and freakish while simultaneously well-detailed. The illustrations range from vaguely off-putting to outright grotesque, all the while giving off a vintage 80’s and 90’s vibe. As a geek for 90’s pop culture, I love this kind of nostalgia, and another random thing my copy has, being an ex-library book, is the smell when the pages are sniffed. Anyone else like that smell? It’s random, but I do - makes me think back to visiting the library.
The poems themselves are generally rather lame, and pretty forgettable. A poem I’m rather surprised they got into the book, especially when it’s ostensibly for kids, is entitled “From Ghoulies and Ghosts”…and is a request from the Lord to deliver people from the macabre. I’m not a fan of this, partly because of my negative views on religion, and partly because it seems rather out of place in a book about Halloween. But that’s just me. And when you try and look at the poems from a kid’s perspective, some of them actually do manage to be a bit creepy, though that’s more due to the illustrations than how they’re written.
All in all, I enjoy the book as a piece of 90’s nostalgia - it was released in 1989, but close enough. Recommended, especially if you’re a fan of Stephen Gammell’s art - that's what makes it worth purchasing, by a longshot.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
August 23, 2022
Nice little collection of Halloween-themed poems from a variety of writers, accompanied by art from the brilliant Stephen Gammel (best known for illustrating “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”).
My personal favorite was “Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Bright.”
My personal favorite was “Pumpkin Pumpkin Pumpkin Bright.”
October 2, 2018
The illustrations are wonderful. The poems were slightly disappointing.
January 9, 2021
A+ Stephen Gammell illustrations, as always.
October 27, 2021
The poems didn't do much for me, I just love Stephen Gammell's artwork. A good Halloween book for kids
November 4, 2024
👹👻👻👻👻
October 24, 2025
I remember the librarian reading this to us in kindergarten, what a sweet memory.
March 18, 2021
The art work of Stephen Gammell is wonderful and macabre and cozy. I loved the poems, and although I haven't shared them with the grandkids yet, I'm sure they will enjoy them as well!
November 5, 2011
I love the illustrations of Stephen Gammel, who also illustrated the book series "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark." They have a very eerie feel about them.
My three-year-old loves anything Halloween, so of course he liked this book, which is simply a collection of Halloween poems with awesome illustrations. I was actually hesitant to show this book to my little guy, thinking the pictures might be too scary, but he was fine with them. If your child is easily frightened by creepy images, I do not recommend this book.
My three-year-old loves anything Halloween, so of course he liked this book, which is simply a collection of Halloween poems with awesome illustrations. I was actually hesitant to show this book to my little guy, thinking the pictures might be too scary, but he was fine with them. If your child is easily frightened by creepy images, I do not recommend this book.
October 31, 2012
Stephen Gammell's always amazing illustrations make this otherwise not so great picture/poetry book into something worth checking out. The pictures will creep the kiddos out far more than the writting.
November 12, 2012
Poems about jack-o-lanterns, witches, ghosts and skeletons. JR.
July 25, 2013
Didn't care for the black & white illustrations. Color pictures would have been better. Enjoyed the creative Halloween poems. Some were quite good.
Read
January 3, 2015Great poetry, disturbing illustrations.
November 17, 2016
5 stars for the artwork. 3 for the poems. Good for fans of the original scary stories to tell in the dark books .
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews