WHERE'S MY MUMMY? (PICTURE BOOK) and BOOGER COOKIE RECIPE

PICTURE BOOK

WHERE'S MY MUMMY? by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by John Manders (Candlewick) Follow Little Baby Mummy in his game of hide-and-shriek through a midnight graveyard, some shadowy woods, a slithery swamp and an ominous cave, all the while being warned by the cast of many a monster movie to be careful of creatures in the night. But for all the creepies he meets, it's a teeny squeaky mouse that sends Little Baby Mummy back to get wrapped in his mother's hug. The story steadily winds down to its bedtime conclusion (Dracula is wearing some very fetching bat jammies), and the author lights the spooky storytime way with plenty of sing-song join-along refrains. Pair with Margery Cuyler and S.D. Schindler's SKELETON HICCUPS and Alice Schertle and Curtis Jobling's THE SKELETON IN THE CLOSET for little ones who want a shiver up their spine and a tickle in their bones. (5 and up)

Also of interest:
THE FOGGY, FOGGY FOREST by Nick Sharratt (Candlewick) Turn the pages of misty vellum overlays and moody silhouettes to reveal fairy-tale scenes. Great potential for "turn the page, turn the page!" build-up, and a sense of the dark, dark forest fit even for those who preschoolers prefer their frights to be monster-free. (4 and up)

On a personal note:

In time for Halloween, here is the much requested Booger Cookie recipe from DIARY OF A FAIRY GODMOTHER:

INGREDIENTS

Cookie:
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup softened butter
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 tsp. almond extract
Small package of instant pistachio pudding
1 egg
2 cups unbleached flour
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Pecan or walnut bits (optional)
Eye of newt, tongue of frog to taste (optional)

Filling:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 to 3 tbsp. milk
3-5 drops green food dye

Witch's hats:
Bag of Hershey's chocolate kisses (dark chocolate if you're really evil)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large cauldron, cream 1/3 cup powdered sugar, butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, almond extract, pudding mix and egg until well blended. Bit by bit, stir in the flour and then the chocolate chips until well blended. Chant your favorite spell while you stir; it makes the time go faster and your hand hurt less.

Shape into 1-inch balls and roll in eye of newt (pieces of pecans or walnuts also work nicely if you like them). Place an inch apart on a cookie sheet. With thumb or wand, make imprint in the center of each cookie. Bake 10 minutes until edges are light brown. Let cool completely.

In a smaller cauldron, combine all filling ingredients until smooth, and place a very scant teaspoon of this filling into the center imprint of each cookie. Top each with a chocolate witch's hat. Serves one coven.

Thanks to my storybook kitchen witch Hunky Dory for the recipe; I just made eight dozen (and have only eaten six cookies so far, but the night is young). I am planning on packing them in Broom Favor Bags (directions courtesy of one of my other favorite kitchen witches, Martha Stewart). Pair with a copy of Eleanor Estes's THE WITCH FAMILY, and you'll have cast a real reading spell that will last long after the full moon fades.

Links are provided for informational use. Don't forget to support your local bookseller.
More Esmé stuff at www.planetesme.com.