Poetry, rhymed or otherwise, is, has always been, and always will be, a significant part of our culture. When at our best, we have the insight to recognize how barren life would be without it. The poetic style of "'Twas Halloween Night" imitates that of "A Visit from Saint Nicholas"-its rhythm as well as its rhyming couplets. Because of my love for Shakespeare, in choosing the meter I seriously considered iambic pentameter. But Moore's four beats somehow seemed more appropriate than the Bard's five. My hope is that this deliberate imitation (homage, perhaps?) will serve as an attractive entrance point-a friendly literary "Welcome" mat-for the reader. I also wrote "'Twas Halloween Night" with a mind towards how Dickens, in his great holiday story, makes sure both to comment on society and to suggest ways in which we, as its members, might make it better. Thus, Jorlyn's experience, like Scrooge's, leads her to a greater understanding of her human family and her responsibility to it. Years ago, when I first began working on the poem, I had in mind the need for my own little boy to be aware of, and sensitive to, the world around him. How was I to know that years later, that need-on his part as well as all of ours-would be greater than ever?
Harrod, Karen Hopkins: - Karen lives and works in Easton, Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. Karen has painted and built sets for La Mama Theater and The Theater Exchange, both in New York City. For many years, she worked in publishing as a graphic designer. Karen is the daughter of a singer, the sister of a painter/sculptor, and the mother of an artist, so her family and life are full of color and music. She wouldn't have it any other way. "'Twas Halloween Night" is her first illustrated children's book.
Owens, Geoffrey: - Geoffrey Owens was born and raised in the Prospect Heights section of Brooklyn, New York. He attended New York City public schools before attending Yale University, (from which he graduated, cum laude, in 1983). He has had a notable career as a teacher and an actor. He has taught Shakespeare and acting at Yale, New York University, Columbia University, Pace, HB Studio, Stella Adler Studio, Primary Stages, and Florida State University. On television, he played 'Elvin' on NBC's "The Cosby Show," as well as roles on numerous other shows, including "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Power," "Ghost," "All Rise," and "Divorce." On film, he can be seen in "The Paper," "Somewhere in Queens," "Ezra," "Fatale," "Hide and Seek," "Susie Searches," and "Play the Game." On stage, he appeared in "Romeo and Juliet" (on Broadway, with Orlando Bloom), "Salome" (with Al Pacino), and in the Chicago premiere of David Mamet's "Race" (at the Goodman Theatre). He currently lives in Montclair, New Jersey, where he enjoys reading, playing the guitar, listening to music, and watching movies. "'Twas Halloween Night" is his first children's book, and he dedicated it to his son, Jordyn, and his daughter, Ophelia.
