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HELLO WORLD!

Name: HELLO WORLD!
Author: Paul Beavis
ISBN: 978-1-9272-7198-8

by Paul Beavis ; illustrated by Paul Beavis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2015

A calmly surreal invitation to explore.

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Mrs. Mo’s Monster (2014), he of the snaggly teeth, spiky blue fur, and lolling pink tongue, is still in the attic.

As the book begins, Mr. and Mrs. Mo are painting the outside of their house from white to red and so cannot amuse the monster, who announces that he’s “off to see the world.” He sets out carrying a good deal of the stuff from the attic, refusing Mrs. Mo’s offer to make him a sandwich. As he goes along, however, he gets lost in a sea of obstacles to navigate and begins to have a meltdown—but Mrs. Mo turns up, with the sandwich and a few more things from home. It all resolves in a satisfying way: the monster gets to see a view of his whole world (and so does the intrepid Mrs. Mo), and Mr. Mo, painting complete, just sort of scratches his bald head in bemusement. The monster definitely has the toddler ethos down pat, and the white-haired Mo couple is quite good at responding to it. The art is done in clear blocks of color and shape, and children of all ages will be amused by what the monster chooses to take along and leave behind of the cozy detritus (tea kettle, golf clubs, globe, etc.) in the attic.

A calmly surreal invitation to explore. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2015

ISBN: 978-1-9272-7198-8

Page Count: 32

Publisher: Gecko Press

Review Posted Online: June 28, 2015

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 2015

Categories:

CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL

- BOOK REVIEW
MRS. MO'S MONSTER
by Paul Beavis ; illustrated by Paul Beavis

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THE LITTLE GHOST WHO WAS A QUILT

From the Little Ghost Quilt Book series

by Riel Nason ; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2020

Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available.

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A ghost learns to appreciate his differences.

The little ghost protagonist of this title is unusual. He’s a quilt, not a lightweight sheet like his parents and friends. He dislikes being different despite his mom’s reassurance that his ancestors also had unconventional appearances. Halloween makes the little ghost happy, though. He decides to watch trick-or-treaters by draping over a porch chair—but lands on a porch rail instead. A mom accompanying her daughter picks him up, wraps him around her chilly daughter, and brings him home with them! The family likes his looks and comforting warmth, and the little ghost immediately feels better about himself. As soon as he’s able to, he flies out through the chimney and muses happily that this adventure happened only due to his being a quilt. This odd but gently told story conveys the importance of self-respect and acceptance of one’s uniqueness. The delivery of this positive message has something of a heavy-handed feel and is rushed besides. It also isn’t entirely logical: The protagonist could have been a different type of covering; a blanket, for instance, might have enjoyed an identical experience. The soft, pleasing illustrations’ palette of tans, grays, white, black, some touches of color, and, occasionally, white text against black backgrounds suggest isolation, such as the ghost feels about himself. Most humans, including the trick-or-treating mom and daughter, have beige skin. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-16.6-inch double-page spreads viewed at 66.2% of actual size.)

Halloween is used merely as a backdrop; better holiday titles for young readers are available. (Picture book. 4-7)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-7352-6447-2

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Tundra Books

Review Posted Online: July 13, 2020

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2020

Categories:

CHILDREN'S HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS | CHILDREN'S PARANORMAL & SUPERNATURAL | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

- BOOK REVIEW
THE LITTLE GHOST QUILT'S WINTER SURPRISE
by Riel Nason ; illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

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IT'S NOT EASY BEING A GHOST

From the It's Not Easy Being series

by Marilyn Sadler ; illustrated by Stephanie Laberis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 13, 2024

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.

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A ghost longs to be scary, but none of the creepy personas she tries on fit.

Misty, a feline ghost with big green eyes and long whiskers, wants to be the frightening presence that her haunted house calls for, but sadly, she’s “too cute to be spooky.” She dons toilet paper to resemble a mummy, attempts to fly on a broom like a witch, and howls at the moon like a werewolf. Nothing works. She heads to a Halloween party dressed reluctantly as herself. When she arrives, her friends’ joyful screams reassure her that she’s great just as she is. Sadler’s message, though a familiar one, is delivered effectively in a charming, ghostly package. Misty truly is too precious to be frightening. Laberis depicts an endearingly spooky, all-animal cast—a frog witch, for instance, and a crocodilian mummy. Misty’s sidekick, a cheery little bat who lends support throughout, might be even more adorable than she is. Though Misty’s haunted house is filled with cobwebs and surrounded by jagged, leafless trees, the charming characters keep things from ever getting too frightening. The images will encourage lingering looks. Clearly, there’s plenty that makes Misty special just as she is—a takeaway that adults sharing the book with their little ones should be sure to drive home.

Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet. (Picture book. 4-6)