Anything Can Happen...One Halloween Night by Mark Teague

It's an ominous omen when a black cat crosses your path on Halloween, and for friends Wendell, Floyd, and Mona, their bad luck begins with costume malfunctions: Wendell's mad scientist outfit comes out of the wash dyed pink; pirate Floyd learns that he has to take his bunny-costumed little sister trick-or-treating with him; and Mona's mother makes her wear a dorky Disney fairy getup, complete with star-tipped wand.

Disgruntled about their bad luck thus far, the kids find that homeowners have a few tricks up their sleeves as well, handing out dubious treats such as Broccoli Chews, Sweet 'n' Sauerkraut, and Eggplant Fizzlers. Things really go bad, however, when Wendell, Floyd, and Mona are spotted by class bullies Leona Fleebish and her fellow witchy-women. The chase is on!

Yo Ho Ho!
I see something funny.
It's a Pirate Floyd
And his baby bunny!

Cornered in an dead-end alley, Pirate Floyd draws his toy saber and swashbuckles their escape, exhibiting a full flip and somersault over the fence in his best Jack Sparrow style. Hiding from coven queen Leona in the graveyard, mad scientist Floyd is forced to whip up an invisibility formula which hides them temporarily from the Fleebish Four.

Just as they become visible again, they hear the approaching gang of witches taunting:

Just look over there.
You'll see something scary.
It's Tinkerbell Mona
Dressed up like a fairy!

Out of invisibility formula, this time it's up to fairy Mona, who whips out her wand and turns the magic on Leona and her coven.

Ibbity bibbity, bobbity boad.
Leona Fleebish, you're a toad.

Mona's magic takes them back to their own neighborhood, sans witches, and to their joy, their Halloween treats are also transformed into ordinary candy at last. It's good to get back to normal, but still--anything can happen on Halloween!

Author/illustrator Mark Teague, known for his Dear Mrs. LaRue stories of bad dog Ike and the long-suffering Mrs. LaRue, has filled this picture book with wonderful acrylic illustrations (just see the inscriptions on the gravestones) of the trio of intrepid trick-or-treaters and their Halloween night habitat. For a story of resourceful kids who confront their fears, One Halloween Night is the black cat's meow!