The Halloween Tree: Ray Bradbury

I was alerted to this book by Scott Parker at Do Some Damage. And if you know how much I love skulls (and skeletons) on book covers, you will understand what drew my attention. The illustration by Leo and Diane Dillon on the dust jacket is just gorgeous. I was familiar with the Dillons as illustrators of children's books, but I was amazed to see how many adult books had cover illustrations by the couple. The interior illustrations are by Joseph Mugnaini, who was also responsible for the cover illustration of the first edition of this book.

The book has an unusual history. Bradbury wrote a script for MGM at the request of Chuck Jones, for a planned animated film. The film was not produced so Bradbury wrote a novelization of the script and published it in 1972. Then, in the early 1990's, an animated film based on the book was released  by Hanna-Barbera. And up until ten days ago, I had never heard of the book or the film.

Eight boys go out trick-or-treating on Halloween, but their friend Pipkin is not feeling well enough to join them. He promises to meet them at a haunted house where they instead encounter an odd man, Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud. And a huge tree filled with pumpkins. The story is a combination of two quests:  a journey through several countries to see different versions of the Halloween story and to find Pipkin, who keeps eluding them. I especially like that the last country visited is Mexico and El Dia de Los Muertos. Before that they visit mummies in Egypt, Rome, Greece, medieval Britain, and gargoyles at Notre Dame in Paris.

I am sure that I am not the first person to wish that this book had included some girls. But that is a minor complaint; I suppose it was a product of its times? Although, in 1972 I was just out of college and planning to have a career, and even then I would have wanted some girls in the book. The adaptation decreased the number of children to three boys and a girl. But I have never seen the film.

The writing in this book is often like poetry and the story would make a great read-aloud for adults and children. This is not a perfect book, but it is a lovely way to celebrate Halloween.


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Publisher:   Alfred A. Knopf, 2007 (orig. publ. 1972)
Length:       145 pages
Format:       Hardcover
Genre:        Fantasy
Source:       I purchased this book.

Skulls and Skeletons (Book Sale Part 4)

In the spirit of Halloween, which is fast approaching, here are the skull and skeleton covers I acquired at the book sale.

The Mr. and Mrs. North Mysteries in the Pocket Books editions often have nice skeletons adorning the covers.

Having very little experience with the mysteries of Arthur Conan Doyle (at least in written form), I was not even aware of the existence of this volume of non-Sherlock Holmes stories, Tales of Terror and Mystery. Lovely cover, and I will certainly give them a try.






















The skull cover for The Hound of the Baskervilles is a little less impressive (as skull covers go), but very atmospheric. And I have added to my available Sherlock mysteries to try.




In 1991, Julie Smith was the first American woman to be awarded the Edgar for Best Mystery Novel since 1956. The winning book was New Orleans Mourning, and was the first in a series starring Skip Langdon, a female police officer.

The Axeman's Jazz is the 2nd book in the Skip Langdon series. I have a copy of the hardcover edition which is much better because the skeleton is not obscured as much.

















And now we get to my favorite cover of the lot... at least as far as cover art goes. The Straight Man by Roger L. Simon. I don't know how well the cover fits the story. Moses Wine takes on a case for his psychiatrist, in the fifth book in the series. Set in West L.A.