HESTER

But Barton's first wobbly-lined picture, of Hester's dining room all set for the party, is the very dream of Halloween that any first grader would delight in drawing for himself, the stock haunted house is not only incongruous but warmly inviting and a little sad among all the high rises, and the sweet old witch's welcoming, well-behaved friends are such a grotesque gang of freaks that the whole adventure proves to be a captivating blend of good cheer and satisfying shivers.