Middle Grade Book Appraisal

The Celery Stalks at Midnight (Bunnicula Series)

This item is a vintage paperback copy of the children's book "The Celery Stalks at Midnight" by James Howe, an installment in the popular Bunnicula series. The book features a dark green cover with a prominent central illustration bordered by a thin gold line. The illustration depicts three anthropomorphic animals—a large fluffy white dog, a striped cat with an intense expression, and a brown dachshund—positioned in what appears to be a dimly lit, possibly outdoor, setting alongside an enormous stalk of celery. The title "The Celery Stalks at Midnight" is rendered in a stylized, somewhat jagged font, fitting the mystery theme of the series. Above the title, the author's name, James Howe, is clearly visible. The top left corner shows the 'AVON CAMELOT' publisher's logo in yellow. The top right corner includes price information, showing "$2.75 U.S." and "$3.50 CAN", along with a partial ISBN "0-380-69054". A tagline, "Bunnicula is back... and on the loose!", appears directly below the publisher's logo. The bottom left of the cover notes "ILLUSTRATED BY LESLIE MORRILL", indicating the illustrator. The book shows signs of typical wear consistent with a vintage paperback, including some general handling marks and slight creasing on the cover. There's a white label or sticker residue visible on the lower left spine area, likely from a library or previous ownership. The colors remain relatively vibrant for a book of its age. The craftsmanship is standard for a mass-market paperback, designed for durability through multiple readings by children. Its estimated age is likely from the 1980s, given the pricing and publishing details typical of that era for children's paperbacks.