Nighty Nightmare

Mr. Monroe--with a bit of help from Harold, the book-writing dog--has gotten it into his head that an overnight camping trip is just the type of adventure the family needs. So the Monroes pack up and head out into the woods, bringing along their faithful pets (excepting the vampire bunny, Bunnicula, who's missed out on yet another adventure by being boarded with friends). Both Harold and the excitable pup, Howie, look forward to the fun of the woods and cozy fireside time with the family (Harold especially because of the promise of s'mores). But the ever-reluctant Chester the cat swears that, with the approach of Saint George's Day, all that awaits their family is doom at the hands of evil spirits lurking behind the trees. It's easy for Harold to dismiss Chester's notions until the Monroes run across two strange men and their brain-dead bulldog, Dawg. When Dawg leads the pets away from the humans only to get them lost in the woods, Harold and Chester come up with a plan to sneak away and save their family. However, they have to put Dawg to sleep with a story first, and Chester's chosen tale of Bunnicula's origins makes for one creepy bedtime lullaby. Remembering this book from when I originally read it as a child, this one still sticks in my mind as the most boring of the BUNNICULA series. The story-within-a-story is rather distracting, and lacks that bit of credibility that makes the rest of the books so appealing. Still, if you like a good parody of the old monster movie origin stories, this would be the book to go to. Reviewed by: Allison Fraclose

As much as Harold would love to put mystery, horror, and suspense behind him, and spend his days lounging about the kitchen waiting for his next chocolate treat; with Chester the neurotic, hare-brained, paranoid kitty quickly dashes those dreams, and does the unthinkable - drags Harold into his next crazy scheme. While Harold, Howie, and Chester are accompanying the Monroe family on an impromptu camping trip, Chester announces to his canine comrades that May 5 - Saint George's Day - is upon them; thus, spirits will be hovering about the moment the clock strikes midnight. Harold instantly knows that this is the worst possible time to be camping in the creepy woods, especially with such inexperienced campers such as Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, and their budding Boy Scouts, Toby and Pete. But when the Monroe's run into two bumbling men - Bud and Spud - along with their scruffy dog, Dawg, the Monroe pets know that something fishy is surrounding them. Howie is instantly mesmerized by Dawg, and becomes his bosom buddy; Harold is trying to accept the stubby-legged pooch simply as a new friend; but Chester is convinced that Dawg is nothing but trouble, set-up to lure them away from the Monroe's so that Bud and Spud can do all sorts of evil things to the unsuspecting humans. When Dawg suggests a trip through the woods to show the Monroe pets something interesting, Howie, Harold, and Chester are only too eager to go. But when they discover that they seem to be lost in the woods, they begin to wonder whether Dawg intentionally lured them away from their owners, or if there was simply a glitch in his tracking. When they're unable to find their way back to the campsite, Chester is the first to freak out, and finds himself worrying about leaving the Monroe's overnight, in the hands of spirits run amok, not to mention the bizarre Bud and Spud. But the boys find it difficult to lose Dawg, and make their way back to camp before it's too late, and they never see the Monroe's again. Chester is convinced that the only possible way to escape from Dawg's clutches is to tell him a bedtime story that will, hopefully, lull him to sleep, and create the perfect escape plan for the Monroe pets. But as soon as Chester begins the tale, it turns into a horrific, hare-raising story about the origins of their bunny brother, Bunnicula, and his life as a vampire amongst human vampires in both Transylvania and England. The trouble with Chester's story, is that, while it is a spooky tale that many would love to hear around the campfire; it poses many frightening thoughts, and serves to give each of the four-legged creatures nightmares, as opposed to a peaceful doze. Now Chester and Harold have no idea whether Dawg will be able to get some shut-eye, or find himself on edge all night, all thanks to Chester's creepy creation. And without Dawg falling asleep, the end could be quite near for the Monroe's. While I never read anything by James Howe when I was younger; over the past couple of yea

Nighty Nightmare by James Howe is a hilarious,scary mystery allwound into one book. From Chester the reading cat to the dog named"Dawg," I guarantee that you will laugh along, yet be scaredat the same time. This book kept me on my toes and I couldn't put itdown. Harold the dog narrator will explain things in a way that makesit seem real.

It starts out as a family outing and ends up as a horror story! But most of all, I liked the story within a story which was the story of Bunnicula's parents-Bella and Boris. Boris and Bella are the results of an experiment done by a scientist who is immortal. "Nighty Nightmare" is definitely one of James Howe's better stories. I also liked "Bunnicula A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery" and "Howliday Inn".

I like this book a lot. It is a great tale of laughter, thrills, and chills. I love the way they put it on May 5 Saint Georges day. Plus the story they tell about Bunnicula. It is definitly a tale to make you scream. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!