Little Ghost Makes a Friend

by Maggie Edkins Willis, Maggie Edkins Willis (Illustrator)

Overview

A shy ghost learns the secret to making friends is being his spooky, sparkly self in this charming debut picture book that’s perfect for fans of Stumpkin.

Little Ghost and his mom have been happily haunting their creaky old house for years, just the two of them. When a new girl moves in next door, Little Ghost wants to introduce himself. But making friends can be scary...until he comes up with the perfect plan: he’s going to invite her over for a Halloween party! But what costume will make her want to be friends with him?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781665927857
Publisher:	Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Publication date:	07/16/2024
Series:	Little Ghost
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 11.20(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Maggie Edkins Willis grew up in Missouri and Maine. She now writes and illustrates books for children from her home studio in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend, was a bestseller. She is also the creator of the middle grade graphic novel Smaller Sister. You can visit her online at MaggieMadeThis.com.

Maggie Edkins Willis grew up in Missouri and Maine. She now writes and illustrates books for children from her home studio in the Hudson Valley, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her debut picture book, Little Ghost Makes a Friend, was a bestseller. She is also the creator of the middle grade graphic novel Smaller Sister. You can visit her online at MaggieMadeThis.com.

Editorial Reviews

"As cozy as a hug....A sweetly spooky tale that reminds us that reaching out to others doesn’t have to be scary."

Kirkus Reviews

"A tender tale of courage and connection for readers who prefer Halloween stories with more treats than tricks."

School Library Journal

"An encouraging story....Dusky greens, purples, and oranges lend an autumnal vibe to amiable vignettes, which readily convey the story’s affirming emotional arc."

Publishers Weekly

"The book’s matter-of-fact narrative, Halloween-themed setting, and shy but amiable main character come together to create an appealing read-aloud choice for this popular holiday."

Booklist

2024-04-20
A timid ghost longs to go out on days other than Halloween.

Little Ghost, a tiny, floating, sheetlike wisp, wonders what it would be like to have a friend. He and his mother have been haunting a tottering old house for 100 years. Though Little Ghost loves his community, he’s only comfortable coming out on Halloween, when he can blend in and won’t scare his neighbors. When a new family moves in next door, Little Ghost secretly observes them and realizes that he and their young daughter, Anya, have a lot in common. Eyes scrunched tight and arms splayed out wide, he declares his intention: “I will make a friend.” Luckily, the day of the year when Little Ghost feels the most confident is coming up, so he leaves an invitation to a Halloween party on Anya’s porch. It turns out that Anya’s also shy; grateful for the invitation, she accepts Little Ghost for who he truly is. With his dot eyes and adorably dumpy little frame, Little Ghost is an expressive, endearing protagonist. A muted palette of oranges, purples, pinks, and greens makes this tale of friendship feel as cozy as a hug. Anya is brown-skinned, while the other townsfolk out trick-or-treating are diverse in skin tone.

A sweetly spooky tale that reminds us that reaching out to others doesn’t have to be scary. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews