Queen of Halloween

Ann Estelle Stories

by Mary Engelbreit

Wearing the perfect fairy queen costume, with her friend Michael by her side, Ann Estelle is ready for a Halloween night on the town. And what a night it is—full of ghosts and mummies and witches and wizards, and lots of candy, of course. But Halloween can also be a little bit scary, as Ann Estelle discovers when she tries trick-or-treating at the spookiest house in town. It's awfully dark up there . . . and the pathway is awfully long. Will Ann Estelle be brave enough to ring the bell? Little trick-or-treaters will enjoy this Halloween outing that sparkles with Mary Engelbreit's signature wit and charm.

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Childrens, Holiday, Storytime, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Mary Engelbreit grew up studying the illustrations in the vintage storybooks of her mother’s childhood, and she developed a unique style that harkens back to those simpler times. Mary’s distinctive images have made her a celebrity to millions, who eagerly snap up gift items, calendars, books, fabrics, and more.

Mary’s New York Times bestselling The Night Before Christmas is part of the holiday tradition for families across the country. Other beloved additions to a child’s first bookshelf are her New York Times bestselling Mary Engelbreit's Mother Goose and Mary Engelbreit's Nursery Tales, which are perfect companions to this volume.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's not much to this story about being brave on Halloween night, but fans of Engelbreit's artwork will want to savor the illustratios.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl, Ann Estelle, and her friend who are going trick-or-treating on Halloween. She is dressed as a queen, and her friend, Michael, was dressed as a pirate. Michael thinks they are old enough to go out on their own, but Ann Estelle's father goes with them anyway. At the end of the night, her father stands at the gate and lets the children go up to one house on their own. The house is a little spooky, and they are afraid to ring the bell. When they finally ring it a nice old lady opens the door and gives them all the candy she has left. The two children happily go home.

I would have students do a story pyramid after reading this book. It would be a fairly simple version. (One word identifying the main character, 2 words describing the main character, 3 words describing the setting, 4 words describing the problem, 6 words describing an event, 7 words describing the solution) Students could have the option of adding other events as long as they add a word to each level.

I would also use this book to demonstrate the Think Aloud Strategy. I would read the book aloud to the class, but as I read, I would ask questions or make comments about the story out loud. This helps demonstrate the thought process that should be happening while students read.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ann Estelle is ready for trick or treating. And she's a big girl now, that she doesn't need anyone to walk her to the door. Even the big scary house. A story about conquering bravery in the face of stereotypes, and how quite often, things aren't what they seem.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delightfully illustrated Halloween story about a little girl who tries not to show that she's a little scared while Trick or Treating, until she realizes her friend is scared too, which helps her to be brave.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Estelle and her friend Michael dress up for Halloween and go door to door trick or treating, but the challenge of the eve is when they approach the front door of the spookiest house at the end of the night!

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ann Estelle and her brother go trick or treating. The last house they come to seems a bit scary but they decide to be brave and find looks can be deceiving. A lovely story for Halloween with Mary Engelbreit's signature illustrations.

[Michelle Rodes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story for overcoming fear. Lovely illustrations. Not a lot of drama.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have to be a little scared to be brave.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 stars for the lackluster text; 1 star for cutsie illus.; generic/lame plot & storyline

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not amazing but lots of the PreK kids liked it so I would read it again.

[Breanna Maughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this story is about bravery and I like how she lifts up her and her brother and does not make fun of him.

[Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic, aimed at preschoolers. I like the way the tiny ghosts and bats are drawn.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked out from WD library

[Jennifer Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ann Estelle is going trick or treating as a Fairy Queen! Her friend Michael, dressed as a pirate, is going with her. The night is dark and the costumed kids makes Ann Estelle a little nervous. Michael says pirates are brave, and Anne Estelle says "Queens are brave, too." She gets a chance to show her bravery at the last house- an old house with creaky stairs. Instead of turning back she rings the doorbell and is rewarded by getting ALL the remaining candy from the little old lady who lives there.
•
Who doesn't love the cozy and cheerful illustrations of Mary Engelbreit?! This sweet and mellow Halloween story is truly about being brave despite your fears.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two children are preparing to go out to trick or treat. A little girl dressed up like a Queen and her friend dressed as a pirate. He doesn't seem like he's scared of anything and wants to go without an adult, she doesn't want to seem like she's not as brave but doesn't know what to say. But her dad rescues and says that he needs children to take him. They go along and have fun, until they come to the last house that looks very scary. The children wanted to go alone without Dad. The closer they got the more she realized her friend was just as scared as she was. So they both know they can do this and they go up to the door. And not something scary finds them, but a very friendly elderly lady.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, Mary Engelbreit is totally "commercial" but I still think her work is gosh-darn cute and this book is perfectly cozy-adorable for Halloween. The story is pretty pedestrian, as the little girl and boy go trick-or-treating and are scared of the spooky house, but learn that you have to be a little scared in order to be brave. But, whatever, it's CUTE! And there are a few nice touches like when the kids feel they are big enough to go trick-or-treating without an adult, but the dad says, "Well, that may be so, but I sure need kids!" and accompanies them. Smooth one, Dad! ;->

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read aloud with children. It has colorful illustrations with fun details in the borders and a great story about Halloween. We especially liked the theme that in order to be brave, you have to be at least a little afraid. It was a good way to validate children's fears of the dark and even of scary Halloween characters.

[Jennie]

On Halloween night, friends Ann Estelle and Michael go trick-or-treating with Ann Estelle’s father following. They approach a very scary house and overcome their fear to knock on the door. Theme: Bravery

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter Ella loves this book and all other Mary Engelbreit books. The stories are always cute & sweet. The the artwork is vintage looking and great! This one is here favorite out of the series because she just loves Halloween! :)

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Engelbreit illustrations with a sweet story about two kids trick or treating and about not being afraid. A good read aloud.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is not too exciting, but the illustrations are really cute.

[Tina B]

"Halloween, girl, trick-or-treating, scared of dark,"

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute book about a fun Halloween night. Would be a fun book to read aloud near Halloween.

[Mariah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical depiction of characters scared of what they don't know. Most people are scared of the unknown in one area or another. The story was mundane, but the illustrations were cute.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the simplicity of the illustrations and the bright bold colors. It's through and through a tribute to the love of Halloween I experienced as a child.

[Amy Winkelman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love Mary Engelbreit and thankfully so does my daughter. Her drawings are amazing and we love how with this book you also get a paper doll.

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhh, Mary Engelbreit. One of my favorite illustrators of all time.
A fairy queen and a pirate go trick-or-treating on Halloween and demonstrate to each other what it means to be brave.

[Roseanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read Mary Engelbreit always and forever! Love her eye for sweet detail!

[Maggie Ignasiak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the illustrations (Engelbreit is a rockstar), and the final portion about bravery is great, but there wasn't much build up in the story to really support the moral.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween, trick-or-treating, being brave, friends, dress-up