SCARY POEMS FOR ROTTEN KIDS Sean O'Huigin. Illustrations by Anthony LeBaron. Windson (ON), Black Moss Press, c1982. 38pp, paper, $4.95. ISBN 0-88753-087-7. Grades K-5. Reviewed by Ronald A. Jobe. Volume 11 Number 4. 1983 July. This collection of mildly gruesome poems sparkles with dark imagery and action. Intriguing characters, such as the Gerbelgek, the munchies, and the thing, add to the atmosphere of creepiness. Horrible happenings that occur include the devastating effect of acid rain, red eyes appearing in the fog, and the improbability of being pulled inside your own pocket! Repeated use of the elongated sss sound serves to heighten the effects of intrigue and encourage the reader to enter into hidden shudders between the lines! . The pen-and-ink wash illustrations subtly yet delightfully capture the mood of this collection. They include all the action but cleverly do not give it away until the reader discovers it in the text. Children will love the lack of punctuation or else be horribly upset! However, is it really appropriate for children? Are we being fair in expecting them to appreciate this free form of verse? Warning: there is always the danger that these poems will be turned into a traditional grammar lesson! The collection will be most valuable for oral interpretation, allowing the children to plan for their most expressive reading. The lack of punctuation thus allows the children to discover the variety of meanings possible for their interpretation. Remember: "stay safe/inside/and have a good/place you/can hide." Ronald A. Jobe, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.