Fans of Halloween will definitely want to add this reference to their library. While not as slick as some of the competing Halloween books that seem to be flooding the market this year, this is the most comprehensive book I have seen on the subject. The author looks at every aspect of the Halloween celebration.

There are enough ideas here to give your family happy Halloweens for years to come, as there is simply too much to put into action all at once. Included are fifty great costumes you can make yourself, recipes for everything from fake blood to pumpkin soup, and lists of great movies, CDs, and spooky books.

Chapters Include:

• Decorating Your House and Yard
• A Pumpkin Primer
• Do-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes
• Halloween Party How-To
• Halloween Music and Movies
• Recipes for Halloween
• Haunted Expeditions
• Halloween Myths and Monsters
• What's Next: Trends in Halloween

The Halloween resources offer ways of finding elusive props and items and the extensive bibliography can help you learn even more. Within each chapter are lots of sub-categories that explore the larger topic in great detail. Even experienced Halloween-o-philes and House Haunters are sure to find something new here.

For those who prefer not to do it themselves, there is also an extensive chapter on places to visit and community wide celebrations around the country, cemetery tours, pumpkin festivals and more.

One of the nation's foremost authorities on Halloween, Lesley Pratt Bannatyne has shared her vast knowledge of the holiday in television specials for New England Cable News, Nickelodeon, and the History Channel. That extensive knowledge has also resulted in one of the most well rounded books on Halloween ever, covering not only crafts and projects, but also history and heritage.