FREE IN-STORE EVENT: #1 New York Times bestselling author Ryan T. Higgins will join us to share his newest book Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow—the perfect way to celebrate all things spooky!
Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn’t like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decides the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a scary story. But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?
"Halloween? Bah, humbug! Everyone’s favorite curmudgeonly bear, Bruce, is predictably irritated to find that his least favorite holiday, Halloween, is coming up. Tricks, treats, and visitors? Bruce is not impressed. His chosen family of mice and geese completely disagrees and, to inspire him, decides to dress up and act out a scary story (“The Legend of Soggy Hollow,” featuring the Horseless Horseman), with our ursine protagonist in the role of schoolteacher Ichabod Bruce. Text bubbles and boxes further develop the story of these charming characters as they embark, albeit less than happily in the case of Bruce, on a performance that is dramatic, mysterious, and laugh-out-loud funny. Higgins’ quirky sensibility is as comical and appealing as ever, and his illustrations are full of kid-friendly and engaging details. Bruce’s unwilling foray into acting—which involves a meetup with a possible ghost and an attempt to escape the amorous moose playing his love interest—will have readers dissolving into giggles. They’ll delight in the humor of Bruce’s less-than-enthusiastic participation, and the story wraps up with a ghostly—but fun—twist. This is a feel-good and funny choice, perfect for Halloween or any time of the year. Laughter abounds in this spirited tale with a sprinkle of spookiness." (Picture book. 3-8) —Kirkus Reviews
Ryan T. Higgins (ryanthiggins.com) is the author and illustrator of the New York Times bestselling Mother Bruce, which received the E. B. White Read-Aloud Award and the Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor; Hotel Bruce; BE QUIET!; and Bruce's Big Move. He lives in Maine with his wife and kids and lots of pets.
