Ghost's Hour, Spook's Hour [Paperback]

Eve Bunting (Author), Donald Carrick (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

There's something strange about tonight. What's that woo sound outside my window?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When Jake wakes up at midnight, strange shapes loom large and frightening sounds are everywhere, but the reassuring appearance of his parents sets everything right. PW praised Carrick's "splendid paintings . . . with corners full of horrible shadows." Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2 Near midnight on a windy night in late autumn, a small boy awakens. Not only are the nighttime sounds frightening to him and his dog, but the lights aren't working and his parents aren't in their bedroom. He confronts creaks and howling (both his and the dog's) before he finds his parents, who are sleeping downstairs, and who comfort him. Bunting masterfully paces her story, with each fear of the child climaxing in his discovery of the basis for the sound. The images that frighten the narrator will also make young readers and listeners feel shivery, but in each case, the rational explanation will reassure them. The narrator's range of emotionsbeing scared but trying not to show it, transferring his feelings to his dog, and his overwhelming relief at finding his fatheris marvelously portrayed in the text through small details. Bunting also provides a range of sensory details that make the boy's experiences readily identifiable. The text is extended by Carrick's paintings, most of which brood with the darkness and mystery of a house in the night. Each is a full page-and-a-third; all show a remarkable vitality. Carrick's palette, and the book's tone, change completely when the boy, with his parents, is no longer afraid: warm, comforting gold tones then enrobe the family. A book that provides the perfect blend of chills and comfort. David Gale, ``School Library Journal''
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (September 25, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395515831
• ISBN-13: 978-0395515839
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #829,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eve Bunting has written more than 200 books for children, many of which can be found in libraries around the world. Her other Clarion titles for very young readers include My Big Boy Bed, which was also illustrated by Maggie Smith, and Little Bear's Little Boat, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter. She lives in Pasadena, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Don't be scared, it's just the wind.", October 17, 2000

By 

Volkert Volkersz (Snohomish, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ghost's Hour, Spook's Hour: Eve Bunting (Hardcover)

Eve Bunting carefully chooses her words, emphasizing the soundsa child hears at night after the power goes out. Young Jacob awakensto the "Woooo" of the wind outside his window, only todiscover that his bedside lamp won't turn on. While he tries toreassure his white, furry dog, Biff, as they wander through the scary,dark--and noisy--house, looking for his parents, he is actually tryingto reassure himself.

I have never heard the tape that another reviewof this title refers to, but I love to read this story aloud toprimary students, making the most of the wonderful, slightly scarysounds described in the story.

The comforting ending has the family,Mom, Dad, Jacob and Biff, tucked into the couch bed downstairs as Dadblows the candle out. Donald Carrick's illustrations help bring theeeriness, and then the ending coziness, to life.

This is another oneof my favorite October read-alouds, along with "Big Fraid, LittleFraid," and other titles.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Suspenseful & reassuring for child afraid of the dark.Great!, April 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghost's Hour, Spook's Hour (Paperback)

My son is 3 1/2 years old and absolutely loves this book and cassette. I think it's terrific, too, because it tells an exciting and entertaining story that deals with typical childhood fears of the dark and creaky noises at night, but then everything has a reassuring explanation. The cassette is definitely a must-have, as it contains a lot of sound effects that add to the suspense. The boy who narrates the story also does a very good job, and I've actually enjoyed listening (and listening!) to it as my son has replayed it countless times. This book and cassette has been great in letting my son know that everybody gets scared sometimes and it's okay, but that your imagination can make things seem a lot scarier than they really are.

5.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and charming, September 27, 2008

By 

Backroads "Scatter-brained book fan" (Cache Valley, Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Ghost's Hour, Spook's Hour (Paperback)

As much as I was determined to pass this off as just a little fake-you-out scary I was swept away by Bunting's incredible writing and the sheer sense of setting of how creepy a house can get in a storm.

The narrator is a young boy with a dog who finds his home to be much scarier in the night than he expected and sets out on a quest to find his parents (who are mysteriously not in their bed).

It's emotional, descriptive, and surprisingly chilling, even with the happy ending. I had kids getting the shivers.

And you just can't hate a book that does that.