TACKY AND THE HAUNTED IGLOO

While his friends busy themselves getting the igloo ready for Halloween, Tacky the Penguin is less than helpful.

Lester and Munsinger continue their popular, long-running series with another tale about lovable Tacky. Although the other penguins get a bit exasperated when he samples all of the treats of “yummy gummy Swedish fish, batcicles, and awful waffles,” they do want him to participate in the Halloween festivities. The penguins decide to choose costumes that reflect what scares them the most. Readers will either relate to or giggle at their choices: an insect, the dark, a monster, “a stormy outfit,” and bubbles. But Tacky cannot decide on what to wear, so he goes off to think. In the meantime, a long line of trick-or-treaters arrives at the haunted igloo—everything goes wonderfully until there is a commotion at the door. When three huge ghosts swoop in, the penguins quickly learn they are their feared predators. The two wolves and the bear begin to tear the igloo apart looking for treats. If all the sweets are gone—and they are, thanks to Tacky—they are “gonna catch some pretty penguins / And we’ll grab ’em by the toe / And we’ll plop ’em in our treatsie bags / Hodey ho ho.” Luckily, Tacky has selected a very scary costume in the nick of time—one that ends up frightening the trio of bullies so much they run away.

Halloween has not been as shivery, silly, and satisfying as in this polar romp.