Written by Julie Winterbottom & Illustrated by Stefano Tambellini
SUMMARY:
Released by Workman Publishing in 2016, this 212-page paperback is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek encyclopedia of haunts, legends, and real-world spooks meant for an audience of 8-to-13 year-olds.
Presented as short chapters rather than a traditional encyclopedia, writer Julie Winterbottom casually discusses topics including spiders, crocodiles, ghosts, haunted houses, evil scientists, monsters, mummies, Ouija boards, séances, snakes, UFOs, werewolves, witches, and zombies.
Illustrator Stefano Tambellini contributes frequent kid-friendly illustrations (usually with a macabre sense of humor) to provide visual reference for Winterbottom’s text. The book also incorporates black-and-white photography to further enhance its narrative.
REVIEW:
Given her intended young audience, author Julie Winterbottom does a solid job describing icky subject matter with reasonable depth and a friendly emphasis on modern-day science surpassing traditional legends. Though Fright-lopedia may be a single seasonal read for most children, there is a practical advantage for parents. Specifically, if one is looking for inspiration to spark a middle schooler’s Halloween party, then Fright-lopedia may present some appropriate ideas.
ADDITIONAL FEATURES:
Besides Winterbottom’s acknowledgements, a helpful table-of contents is provided. In the “Find Your Biggest Fear!” tournament, readers eliminate an assortment of options to pinpoint their most ghastly phobia. The last page details the sources for the book’s stock photography.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
