Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow

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. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Laughter abounds in this spirited tale with a sprinkle of spookiness. (Picture book. 3-8)- Kirkus (May 15, 2023)