The Night of the Paper Bag Monsters

by Helen Craig

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.

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

28 pages, Hardcover

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.