Just So Stories

Random Reviews and Ramblings from Redcliffe


Howl-O-Ween-Emma Bowd. Lara Porter.

Penguin Australia

August 2026

  • ISBN: 9781761359248
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • RRP: $17.99

We do love Halloween in our family but sadly, we are living in a neighbourhood with very few kids or even teens having fun. That doesn’t stop me decorating and being prepared – just in case. But in some places we’ve lived we see not only kids dressed up but their pets as well, especially at the Night of Frights night markets here in Redcliffe. I think my favourite ever was the miniature dachshund dressed as a hot dog and a cat dressed as Elvira at last year’s night market. The Kid used to love greeting our trick-or-treaters with Frankie, her children’s python, wrapped around her arm as well.

But this gorgeous new book from the oh-so-talented Emma Bowd with some delightful illos by Lara Porter is entirely focused on the furry participants and it is quite simply great fun. I love the double spread that features the Dia de los Muertos theme, because this is my favourite as well. Coincidentally my new 2026 decos are all this theme. And the endpapers! I LOVE map endpapers and these ones show where each pooch resides.

Kiddos will love it and I’m sure there will be many nagging parents not just for their own dress-ups but something for the family pet as well. Why not have a fun follow-up activity as simple as drawing their pet with the costume they would choose for it? I think this will be a hit with its lively rhyme and the illustrations which are so full of movement and pure joy.

This one gets an spookily woofish 5 πŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸŽƒπŸŽƒrating for readers from Prep to around year 2/3.

Photo credit: Emma Bowd

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