In this delightful tale, kindred spirits find happiness together.
A good-natured and caring friend is determined to cheer up lonely Ghost.
Rain is falling on a row of old-fashioned–looking houses as a ghost wearing glasses stares out an attic window. Hanging out in the park, unseen, Ghost remains woeful—no one ever seems to know Ghost is there. A big red balloon—on whom Ghost draws a smiling face—floats by, joining Ghost on the seesaw and for a refreshing serving of ice cream. The two are seemingly compatible, but, alas, the balloon floats away. Ghost searches everywhere, to no avail. When the balloon finally returns to the park and a despondent Ghost, the true intent of its unseen mission becomes happily clear. The balloon has brought back the perfect ghostly companion for Ghost, this one sporting a bow tie. Fluid illustrations bring to life—so to speak—the amorphous main characters, washes of color heightening the emotion. The children playing in the park have a range of skin tones; one child uses a wheelchair, and one wears a hijab. The tale offers plenty of opportunities to spark discussions about friendship and compatibility. Is it their similar appearance that draws the ghosts to each other? Children will enjoy seeing ghosts behaving as nonthreatening, fun-seeking, and peoplelike. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
In this delightful tale, kindred spirits find happiness together. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Aug. 23, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-8234-4852-4
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Neal Porter/Holiday House
Review Posted Online: May 24, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2022
Too cute to be spooky indeed but most certainly sweet.
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)Pub Date: Aug. 13, 2024
ISBN: 9780593702901
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Delightful wordplay and spooky artwork combine for hair-raising shivers.
A swarm of spooky bees come out on Halloween.
An intrepid pale-skinned youngster wearing a crooked witch hat and a cape investigates an eerie buzzing sound echoing from a graveyard. Suddenly, ghoulish green bees appear from behind the tombs. “One by one, their shadows rise, / Taking flight toward moonlight skies.” They are… “ZOMBEES!” With stitched-up wounds and tattered clothes and in varying states of decay, the bees moan and groan as they approach. “Do they like the taste of veins?” the protagonist wonders. “Have they come to EAT YOUR BRAINS?” The witchy tot runs to the library for help. Soon after, beekeepers armed with protective suits and smokers come to save the town. But when the zombees have an unexpected “ooky spooky” treat for the townspeople, the mood shifts, and everyone’s mindset changes—yes, even undead bees have sweet treasures worth savoring. Packed with lively rhymes begging to be read aloud with heightened dramatic flair, the zombees are simultaneously terrifying and adorable. Pops of neon green shine bright against the dark Halloween sky. Storytellers who lean into the spine-chilling fun by slowing the pace and stretching out syllables will surely elicit frightened squeals in response.
Delightful wordplay and spooky artwork combine for hair-raising shivers. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: July 15, 2025
ISBN: 9781665922500
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Review Posted Online: April 4, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
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