Melusine - Halloween by Francois Gilson, illustrated by Clarke Ages 9-12 48 pages Cinebook February 2008 Paperback     As a witch-in-training, Melusine's efforts aren't always successful. Her friend Cancrelune has even less skill in the witching arts, but even when the potions curdle and the scares fall flat, they know how to make the most of any situation. As Halloween approaches, it's the biggest time of the year for their kind, and readers can join in on the fun. This is not the first book to feature Melusine and company. However, no prior introduction is needed to understand the basic personalities of the characters and their relationships. In addition, the comics are gag-focused rather than plot-driven, so no backstory is necessary. One of the book's greatest strengths is that the author delights in taking our preconceived notions of fantastical creatures and turning them upside down. Witches aren't supposed to be scared of ghost stories, are they? Who would have imagined what a nuisance it could be to have a fairy godmother in the family? Although Melusine is translated from the original French, the dialogue flows smoothly and sounds natural. The comic has an art style all its own. In a genre that so often tries to emulate Japanese manga or superhero comics, the brightly-colored, elongated yet rounded character designs are refreshing. Characters are inked with bold strokes that give the work a crisp feel. Overall, Melusine is a bright and breezy comic with enough fantasy elements to add a unique flavor to the story.     web reviews   Lorie Witkop/2008 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)