Prelutsky perfectly combines terror with horror to produce an insightful glimpse into the lives of these frightening characters.  Portraying each of them as individuals, readers experience what it is like to live life as a monster, troll, basilisk or other creepy critter. His poems, such as Plaint of the Headless Horseman, provide the perfect combination of spookiness while evoking emotion ("Beside my steed I sadly stand/My severed head in my right hand/Sorrowed that you sped away-/I simply asked the time of day (12).").  The poems smooth flowing rhythm will delight readers with Prelutsky's quick rhythm and witty rhymes as they read the poems aloud.  Although many are laced with comedy, he does not neglect to include spine tingling poems such as Gobbleup where the goblin describes his intent to frighten.

Sís's detailed oil and gouache paintings perfectly balance the poems to create a slightly scary mood providing additional storyline and adding an often humorous tone. In the poems, such as My Sister is a Werewolf, Sís's drawing perfectly complements Prelutsky's poetry supplying readers with an interesting combination of a frighteningly comical scene. "How I wish she were a vampire/like her loving family (22)."  His drawing reveals the brother vampire running down the spiral tower toward his parents, who are lying in coffins, as the sister howls toward the sky.  The author and illustrator work masterfully together as the artwork reveals Prelutsky's witty puns (Sís paints bats on trapezes as Prelutsky writes, 'But I applaud my loudest/For the daring Acro-bats (33).').

Although young children may be frightened, adolescents will enjoy being mesmerized by the wacky illustrations and reading these poems for an amusing account of the shaving habits of a vampire, the woes of an aging werewolf, and the mischief of baby gargoyles.