How to Make Friends with a Ghost!!!!

Happy Halloween, everyone!

I love Halloween. But I was not going to let the date of my post dictate the book I chose. I had two others in mind when I got my hands on How To Make Friends With A Ghost, by Rebecca Green. Right away I was drawn to Rebecca’s vintage style and limited palette.

Above is the jacket, and this is the surprise case underneath!

This is a field guide. It begins with the Introduction,

“If you’ve ever been frightened by a ghost, the thought of becoming friends with one might seem awfully scary. But I assure you, ghosts are sweet creatures who need friends too. And who better to befriend them than you?

This helpful guide will show you how to create a lifelong (and beyond) friendship.”

We learn how to identify a ghost. How to approach a ghost. How to care for a ghost, etc. The examples are clever, unexpected, and very funny!

For instance, we learn that a good place to hide your ghost is in a tissue box!

But my favorite part is the unexpected turn that the book takes at the end. This is where the author gives the book a layer that takes it from being, ‘a cute and fun ghost story’ and creates a relatable, bigger story with real heart and meaning. The last section is “Growing Together”. We now see that the girl who befriends the ghost when she’s young, grows up, gets a job, and has “mini versions” of herself which the ghost likes. The girl is then old and still the two are friends.

“If your eyes can no longer see, your ghost will be there to read to you.”

When the woman passes away… the two continue to be friends.

This is handled with gentle humor by a quote from Dr. Phantoneous Spookel who tells us that,

“… your friendship will last for it knows no bounds—“

This beautiful book is about the everlasting power of kindness and friendship. The older reader will connect with the moral of ‘love lasts forever’. But no matter what, this terrific pb will make every reader want to go ghost hunting!

Just love this one!

 

Happy Halloween! My Avatar today: Me, as a flamingo many Halloweens ago!

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Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Jennifer is the illustrator and author of several acclaimed picture books. Most recently is Always by My Side, 'A Stuffie Story', which she wrote and illustrated. She also is both the author and illustrator of Playing Possum, and Blue Ethel. Jennifer illustrated Gondraโ€™s Treasure, written by Newbery award winner Linda Sue Park. As well as, Sometimes You Fly, by Newbery medalist, Katherine Applegate. She illustrated Yaks Yak, Animal Word Pairs by Linda Sue Park, The Inventor's Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford, by Suzanne Slade, Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, by Alice B. McGinty, and The Adventures of a South Pole Pig, by Chris Kurtz.

33 Comments:

  1. I love the simplicity of the illustrations. The book sounds delightful. It’s now on my To read list. Thank you.

  2. Thank you, Jennifer. This sounds like a very sweet book about an eternal friendship.

  3. I’ve been waiting for this from the library, Jennifer. That cover is adorable. Her art reminds me a bit of Isabelle Arsenault’s. Looking forward to it.

  4. What a cute book! Looks adorable! Thanks!

  5. Hi Maria, I agree about her style and Isabelle Arsenault’s. There are many very witty and funny details that I hope you enjoy. Happy Halloween!

  6. Love the art! This looks like a charmer. Thanks, Jennifer. Love the flamingo costume too! ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Oooh, I must get my hands on this book. Sounds fantastic!

  8. I’m really looking forward to this book.

  9. I love that this book has both humor and heart. Can’t wait to read it!

  10. Everything about this book looks wonderful. Can’t wait to read it.

  11. This one is going on my to-read list! The turn you describe at the end–going from cute to layered meaning–makes it sound like a great mentor text.

  12. Great point, Buffy. She continues with the lighthearted humor, but really brings home a lovely message. Thanks for your comment!

  13. Sounds like fun, Jen. And I’m quite taken by the illustrations. I loved Casper the friendly ghost as a child so this is right up my alley!

  14. Hi, T! I think you would really like this book. I was a Casper lover, too!!!!!! Happy Halloween!

  15. Thanks for the review on this one. As I’m caring for my elderly mother, I’m wondering if it might have an audience with the elderly. I’ll have to read it to see. It’s on order!

  16. I’m totally open to being friends with a ghost!

  17. Yes! This artwork really makes the book stand out, doesn’t it? Really cool ending, too…which always gives me trouble so I doubly appreciate when somebody gets it exactly right. ๐Ÿ™‚

  18. Adding this one to my to-read list. Thanks, Jennifer.

  19. Thanks for the post, Jennifer. I’ve been looking forward to checking this one out for a while. The premise of the story sounds fantastic.

  20. Can’t wait to read this one. It sounds funny/sweet and those kind of books are high on my list ๐Ÿ˜€

  21. I want a ghost friends always alone

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