cover image HOW TO TRICK OR TREAT IN OUTER SPACE

HOW TO TRICK OR TREAT IN OUTER SPACE

Kathleen Krull, , illus. by Paul Brewer. . Holiday, $16.95 (32pp) ISBN 978-0-8234-1844-2

In this oxygen-deprived space case, Krull (A Woman for President , reviewed August 2) and Brewer (paired with Krull for Clip Clip Clip ) follow three aliens through a Halloween-theme Milky Way. The trick-or-treaters pass the Pumpkin planets and "rock out to music from Neptune" but bypass an orb swathed in white streamers ("Uranus… It gets TP'd every year!"). On Earth, the trio gripes at receiving "nothing but candy.... Plus, we hate the traffic." The premise never develops from there. Amateurish pencil illustrations and flat gags (the youngest alien is named Da Moon) make this escapade seem only half-baked. Ages 4-8. (Sept.)