Moldy Oldie, Anyone? Monster Mash by David Catrow

THE SCENE WAS ROCKIN',
ALL WERE DIGGIN' THE SOUNDS
IGOR ON CHAINS,
BACKED BY THE BAYING HOUNDS.

THE COFFIN BANGERS
WERE ABOUT TO ARRIVE.
WITH THE THEIR VOCAL GROUP,
THE CRYPT-KICKER FIVE.

THEY DID THE MASH,
THE MONSTER MASH!

David Catrow is one weird dude when it comes to illustrations, and I mean that in the best possible way! Taking a 1962 classic novelty tune, included over the decades in countless holiday music mixes and adding his own funky and frankly silly twist, this one-of-kind artist gives this real "moldie oldie" a whole new life with a new set of Halloween party-goers. Catrow's impressionistic illustrations can make even werewolves and ghouls comic and, in their own bizarr-o way, kinda cute. In his newest solo effort, Monster Mash. Catrow uses the familiar lyrics to that old Halloween staple, "The Monster Mash," as the text for his over-the-top salute to the scary season. Visually, Catrow's imagination gives the usual suspects--ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and skeletons--a new look in his fanciful depiction of a monster rave-up.

Frankenstein's monster leads the way, rockin' and stompin' to the beat, and is joined by a Dracula dude, assorted ghouls, and fanciful critters never seen in nature, all of whom set out to swing the castle. And host Frankie is properly equipped to liven up the laboratory with his own electrifying personality:

THE GHOSTS ALL COME
FROM THEIR HUMBLE ABODES
TO GET A JOLT
FROM HIS ELECTRODES!

Vampires demonstrate their Transylvania Twist and it's a "graveyard smash"--until the strangest creatures of all ring the castle's doorbell. They're two costumed trick-or-treaters, who are ready to get down and dance, and they've come to the right place to stomp, stomp, stomp:

YOU CAN MASH,
YOU'LL CATCH ON IN A FLASH.
THEN YOU CAN MASH,
YOU CAN MONSTER MASH!

Rainy Day Games: It's Raining, It's Pouring by Peter, Paul, and Mary

IT'S RAINING, IT'S POURING.
THE OLD MAN IS SNORING.

HE WENT TO BED AND HE BUMPED HIS HEAD
AND HE COULDN'T GET UP IN THE MORNING.

Peter, Paul, and Mary's timeless performance of this old nursery rhyme and folk song, It's Raining, It's Pouring (Imagine Books, 2012), has long been a staple of their concerts, a sing-along audience participation song and a favorite of children who were there to join in.

The talented artist Christine Davenier has combined talents with co-writer Peter Yarrow to turn this popular song about rainy weather into a lively picture book which will introduce current children to this joyful musical experience. Davenier's illustrations are light-hearted, showing a family of kids making the best of a summer day inside when the rain won't go away--at least not right away. The kids play hide-and-seek, taking advantage of the rambling old two-story farmhouse and its many cubbyholes and cabinet hiding places, even hiding under the bed where Gramps is recovering and enjoying being included in the fun.

"85, 90, 95, 100!
HERE WE COME, READY OR NOT!"

The lyrics of the famous trio's song are woven into the game, along with other familiar rhymes, while women downstairs peel apples for a dinnertime pie and the kids enthusiastically pursue their game. Things take a happy turn when the sun suddenly breaks through the scattering clouds and the indoor game is quickly concluded.

"OLLY, OLLY, IN FREE!"

Davenier's art utilizes a pastel palette and a light touch of watercolors which make the rainy day seem sunny on its own, and an included Peter, Paul, and Mary CD offers musical accompaniment for the reading or a chance for family members of all ages, even grandpa, to be part of the happy hootenanny in her new It's Raining, It's Pouring.