Halloween Book Picks from Powell’s City of Books

Boo Stew by Donna L Washington, illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbler
In this spooky Goldilocks retelling from award-winning storyteller Washington, Curly Locks loves to cook, but can’t find anyone to try her witchy recipes. When a succession of Scares cause trouble in town, Curly Locks wonders if anyone has ever tried feeding them instead of running them off. Children 4 and up will delight in Curly Locks’ adventures, and in chanting the rhyme to send Scares away! $17.99. Holiday House.

A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall, illustrated by Vera Brosgol
Any book by award-winning Portland author/illustrator Vera Brosgol is a treat. In A Spoonful of Frogs, her charming illustrations pair well with Casey Lyall’s tale of a witchy cooking show about runaway frogs escaping their fate of becoming frog soup! A fun and enchanting tale for any time of year for ages 4 and up. $17.99. Harper Collins.

The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag
The Witch Boy is the first in a three-book graphic novel series by Molly Knox Ostertag and features 13-year-old Aster, a male shapeshifter who is fascinated by witchery. Unfortunately for Aster, only girls are expected to be witches and boys are shapeshifters in the society where he lives. A beautifully illustrated autumn tale, about witchcraft, gender non-conformity and heroism recommended for ages 8 and up. $12.99. Scholastic.

Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega
In this magical adventure for ages 8 and up, 12-year-old Witchling Seven is supposed to be placed in a coven this year. But on the night of the Black Moon Ceremony, she’s marked instead as a covenless Spare. She and the other Spares must complete an impossible task to become full-fledged witches, but if they fail, they might just be turned into toads! $17.99. Scholastic.