Picnic at Mudsock Meadow

Patricia Polacco writes an enchanting, Halloween story about a young boy named William. William and his friends go to Grange Hall Halloween picnic and they all enter into the contests. Towards the end of the contests and the story, William encounters a bright light coming from Quicksand Bottoms, the "ghost", and bravely jumps in the swamp to prove that the light was only swamp gas rising out of the swamp. William's brave act made him the winner of the contest competition as he was covered in glowing muck and mud. This book is a delightful Halloween story that all children and adults can relate too. Patricia Polacco's illustrations were fun and also very creative inviting the readers to continue on reading without ceasing. This story was wonderful because she made it seem a little scary, but not too much that it scares the younger readers. Patricia Polacco is a very talented author and illustrator because she makes the characters come alive in her stories. I believe that anyone from a younger age to older age would enjoy this book and the lesson it brings to the reader.

Polacco takes a different approach to Halloween by stepping back from the scary to tell a charming story of a smalltown picnic in some charming-yet-understandable voice. The subject of the annual Halloween festivities is William, a boy who is quickly becoming the loser of the party, as rival Hester is quick to point out. However, there just so happens to be a legend of a ghost in the nearby swamp... and maybe William will be able to get his bravery up to show off in that department. The pictures are a lot of fun and the story has strong characters and a folksy vibe that is just delightful. Among all the usual scary Halloween books, this stands out as something that reminds us of that old country charm.

William is attending the annual Halloween picnic at Mudsock Meadow and things are not going well. They are at the edge of Quicksand Bottoms and there is an eerie glow that people say is caused by the ghost of Titus Dinworthy, a miner who disappeared about one hundred years ago. When William says that the glow is due to swamp gas, he is laughed at. The first event is the pumpkin-carving contest, which he fails at miserably. At the fishing booth, he manages to tangle his line with Hester's and she laughs at him saying "Peee youuuuu, smelly old William." He tries to compete in the pumpkin spitting contest but is disqualified because he accidentally swallows the seed. In the tug-o-war, he slips and falls at Hester's feet. He has high hopes in the dress-up contest, but his old sheet costume is mediocre compared to the others. However, the "ghost" reappears and when everyone else flees, William walks out and challenges the ghost. Even though he lands face first in the mud, he is a hero to everyone else and Hester sits by him and calls him her hero. Beautifully illustrated and with a delightful moral, this story is an excellent one for young children. I strongly recommend it.

This is a magical ghost story/young romance /comedy by one of the very best children's book writers, Patricia Polacco. Here she creates a wonderfully drawn `folk tale' about a group of kids and their almost encounter with the ghost of Quicksand Bottoms. Polacco is at the top of her narrative and artistic game. On pages 3-4, for example, Polacco foreshortens the perspective, in a manner that evokes Grandma Moses, to show the dozens of towns `folk" making Halloween preparations. (Patricia Polacco is also Dr. Patricia Polacco, with a doctorate in art history). On the very next two-page illustration, Polacco returns to her familiar loveable loopy style. She is a master at conveying emotion and character just through splashes of color accenting expressive broad faces.The story is both leisurely and suspenseful, as the Halloween contests and pre-adolescent William's attempts to show Hester a thing or two (i.e., woo her) play against the looming presence of the legendary ghost. William can't seem to get anything right, and he gets "mad as the dickens." Polacco uses colloquialisms to good effect, especially with names: There's Hester Bledden, the object of his affection, as well as Mr. Stillwater, Lula Mae Cobb, Eulaylee Tester, Boof and Bertie Schiffer, all portrayed without condescension.Williams' big opportunity arrives that night "as an eerie blue light came up out of the swamp." Polacco's drawing of the swamp gas--or is it?) give us some spectacular blue tones and evanescent effects.The exciting, well-plotted denouement gives frustrated William a chance too show his bravery and win the heart of Hester, as they share a plate of ice cream. This is a beautifully drawn and written story, and is one of the best of the Polacco's many superb books. Teachers, parents, other adults, and kids will also want to check out her fun and informative website.

I'm a speech-language specialist who is very picky about which books I use in therapy sessions. Polacco's books draw kids into the very identifiable characters. We spent 3 weeks on the story, reading it, retelling it and drawing a story map about it. Great around Halloween! Highly recommended for grades 2-5.