Ghastly Ghosts – Book Review

Ghastly Ghosts
Written by Teresa Bateman
Illustrated by Ken Lamug
Published September 2019

The Premise:
Old Dave inherits a haunted house.

Son's Review
(Age: 4)
On what's important to know:
Well, that it's a spooky one.

On who would like it: 
Anybody who likes spooky stuff because it's spooky.

On when to read it:
At winter because it has cold time in it, because it has snow in it.

On the best part:
When the ghosts are at his house because the ghosts are his friends.

On Old Dave and solving problems:
He's brave. I try to be brave.

On visiting Old Dave:
Yeah, I wouldn't be scared. It looks like his bathroom doesn't have a toilet though.

Mom's Review
Ghastly Ghosts is a huge hit with T right now. He loves calling out the ghosts' refrain in an increasingly louder voice: "Ghastly ghosts in the old coal shed!" And each time we read, he eagerly points out the objects mentioned, like mice in the attic or a broken pane. The repetition invites young listeners to "read" along, and the cadence makes it fun to read aloud. Apart from the seasonable appeal and the enjoyable rhythm, Old Dave is a likable character. He has a cat and he fiddles; he is content in his solitude but admits his loneliness one cold winter night. Upon hearing ghostly moans from the old coal shed, he takes back his wish to hear another voice. When the ghosts repeat the same phrase over and over and over again, he becomes more exasperated than frightened. Eventually, he must enter the old coal shed if he wants to keep his fire burning. Dave confronts the ghosts in a very matter-of-fact manner despite a bit of lingering fear. My favorite part is when Old Dave tells the ghosts that they "MUST find something ELSE to say!"

Dave's fear is acknowledged as understandable and natural; the message of "brave people have fear" is one I'm perfectly happy to impart to T. Bravery isn't fearlessness – it's confronting that fear.  Dave even goes the further step of inviting the ghosts to join him in the house where it is warm. If you want to take the story a level deeper, you could talk about how Dave is first afraid of characters who are different from himself, but makes the effort to get to know them. He realizes that there is nothing to be afraid of, and they all live happily ever after. Read it how you like, unpack a lot or a little or just have a seasonal scare. Ghastly Ghosts is a good one however you read it.

Why we chose this book:
T loves spooky books, so ghosts catch my eye. When I read the synopsis, it sounded like it might be a good fit, and we are both pleased that it is. Albert Whitman & Co. provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review.