Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 by B. C. R. Fegan (Illustrated by Lenny Wen)

Hotel of Hoo is a beautiful and magical place. It is full of wonder and there is a lot to see. However, the one Mr. Nicholas insists upon is never ever to go beyond door umber 32. He repeats this warning over and over throughout the tour. You know how being told not to do something only makes t more appealing? The power of that which you cannot have is real and alive.

Behind every door leading up to door 32 is a surprise. One that the children cannot guess but still find exciting. Mr. Nicholas lets the children encounter the humorous and strange characters behind all 31 doors. It is exhilarating. , the question remains. What is it about the 32^nd room that makes it so special? What is it that makes it worth all the mystery? What if Mr. Nicholas gave a really quick peek inside?

Don’t Ever Look Beyond Door 32 is yet another edition of children’s literature by the dynamic duo Fegan and Wen. The book is an excellent tool for learning how to count past ten. It mixes up fun with some education, which makes the lessons stick a little more. The intrigue that comes with every number makes this a favorite among the kids. 

B.C. R. Fegan has done a good job of writing up vivid and creative descriptions of the findings behind each door. With his words, he creates a sense of mystery and builds up anticipation for discovery. Children will enjoy the rhymes as they make for an enjoyable time. Rhymes can even be borrowed for the playground. Fegan’s writing gets better and better for the tots. His style is simple and appealing to the target demographic. Even the parents will find themselves wanting to jump to see whatever is behind the door. 

Lenny Wen is a master of illustration. The sheer amount of detail that goes into his illustration for this book is astounding. He allows the reader to see reactions to each revelation. The children in book look horrified and excited, as the situation requires which only works to improve the experience. He has managed to strike the perfect balance between creepy and mighty fun making this a Halloween gem. His illustrations contribute a delightful factor to the book.

The characters on either side of the doors are interesting and excellent. The reader is treated to a nice array of zombies and ghosts among other creatures of the imagination. They are deep and incredibly vibrant. They are so vivid they jump off the pages and join in the tour which makes it all the more fun. The more the merrier, right?

Trick or treat? This book is definitely a treat. You will concede to “read one more time” a few times but you will not mind because it is enjoyable. The ride is definitely worth it. The child will be treated to a fun filled adventure where they come out the other side with an ability to count past ten. Talk about super powers.