Ulrich Karger: The Scary Sleepover

A whole lot of fun to get scared by this book
"Ulrich Karger tells a wonderful, sensitive picture book story. It captures the children's world with a lot of understanding and warm-hearted humor and, as long as the lights remain on, shows how to overcome the fear of a sleepover away from home. Uli Waas' wonderful illustrations enhance the story with a lot of charm.
I am sheer enthused about it and can recommend it to children, parents, nursery school libraries and teachers."
Kemal Kurt; Berlin, August 19, 2002
Amazon, Customer Review * * * * *

"All week the children prepared their classroom for their Halloween sleepover party. When the big night arrived and the children were brushing their teeth, the discussion turned to being afraid of ghosts. Mary said, "my father taught me a trick so I won't be afraid." She told her classmates how he gave her a star to protect her. After they turned out the lights and lit their jack-o-lanterns, put on their costumes and raced around the room, the teacher read them a story. When it was time to go to sleep, and her classmates were all just a little bit scared, she shared with them another trick - just keep the light on!
With its combination of imaginative and practical measures for dealing with fear of the dark, this book is certain to be popular with children. The most boastful of the children becomes the most afraid. The Halloween setting with masks and long shadows in the dark is the perfect backdrop for this discussion. The illustrations present happy-faced children as they create their costumes, carve pumpkins and prepare the room for their party. It is a warm and safe environment with a soothing ending for anyone afraid of the dark."
Sharon Salluzzo
www.childrenslit.com; Themed Reviews (Halloween); October, 2002

"A wonderful Halloween story about a classroom sleepover. The children discuss their night-time fears and share ways that their families have taught them to dispel these fears."
Youth Services at the Powassan & District Union Public Library; October, 2002
Ontario, CANADA

"I was pleased to list Scary Sleepover. I thought the art captured the fun of Halloween. Bravo!"
Marilyn Carpenter Ph.D.; Eastern Washington University
Eastern Washington University
EXCELLENT CHOICES ... list 2002

"A lovely story to help children over come their fear of the dark. Mary and her friends learn to overcome their fears of the dark at a Halloween sleepover at school."
NetStoreUSA.com

"If you need more Halloween books in your collection, this would be a good addition. It is about children who learn to overcome their fears of the dark at a Halloween sleepover at school. Children will relate to this cute story."
Georgia Cartner
South Sound Book Review Council

"Right off the bat it's clear that this simple picture book is a translated work because of its "this would never happen in this country" premise. After all, how many parents do you know who let their pre-schoolers and kindergarteners have sleepovers at school? Sure enough it's a German tale about what happens during a Halloween sleepover party as nighttime falls and common fears begin to arise. The little goblins and witches have a ball together, romping. reading stories, and gazing at the night sky. When one girl points out her very own star that her daddy helped her choose to watch over her as she sleeps, she suggests everyone else choose their own too. The comforting thought instantly puts nervous minds at ease...as does the hallway night light. Putting the slightly awkward premise aside, this is a gently reassuring bedtime story sure to soothe bedtime jitters in homes everywhere."
Vicki Arkoff
Midwest Book Review; Volume 2, Number 11
Reviewer's Bookwatch; November 2002

"A girl has a sleepover at her school on Halloween. The children get to dress up in their costumes and have a party. The teacher then reads them a story before bed. Mary has a secret way to keep from getting scared at night and so does another child. The last page shows the children in bed with the light on in the hallway. This story can help children deal with their fears of the dark and let them know that it is not unusual. This story is better suited for the very young."
Clarissa Grindle
Library Services; Round Rock, Texas; October 2002

"A cute solution to help overcome those ghastly fears around Halloween. The answer is to give everyone a star that can shine in their heart when they feel afraid, but wait a minute.
“That’s silly,” said Jonas. “You can’t give someone a star. You are all scaredy-cats.”
And who do you suppose is the scariest of all?"
Dr. Stan Steiner
The Bookman; Boise State University; 2002