Ghoul School [Hardcover]

Corina Fletcher (Author), David Roberts (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000 | Grade Level: P and up

The secrets of what goes on in a school for ghosts are revealed in spine-tingling and humorous detail in five interactive spreads that include pop-ups, pull-tabs, and hidden panels.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Miss Vampira is delighted to welcome students to her Ghoul School, where they will be expected to learn "a full range of haunting techniques, from basic wailing and groaning to walking through walls." With a classroom full of skeletons, serpents, and slimy spooks, young Cecil Swot, Zombia, Gloop, and the others are set up to succeed in Miss Vampira's fiendish curriculum. And in fact, when the report cards come out, almost all have done remarkably well: "Zombia's constant fidgeting and unhealthy obsession with reptiles make her a joy to have in school."

This sinister school of horrors will reassure any child who believes his or her school is the creepiest of them all. Hands down, Miss Vampira's Ghoul School wins that award. Five two-page spreads unfold spooky pop-up marvels by David Roberts and Corina Fletcher. Check out the vampire who actually twirls to the ground when thrown in the air. Sit down at the lunch table with its full complement of classic school lunches (don't miss the cookbook tucked into a corner with recipes for "Smelly Feet Stew," "Gristle Delight," and "Earwig Tart"). Spin wheels, pull tabs, and lift flaps to secret hiding places to find the most fantastically gross and scary surprises imaginable. (Ages 4 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author

Fashion illustrator David Roberts was born in Liverpool and studied fashion before moving to Hong Kong to work as a fashion illustrator. He has illustrated six books, and was runner-up for the 1999 Mother Goose Award for children's illustration. David now lives and works in south London where, when not drawing, he likes to make hats. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 10 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams; Pop edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810941406
• ISBN-13: 978-0810941403
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,846,060 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ghoul School, March 18, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ghoul School (Hardcover)

Great book Beautifull illustrations and a master work of pop-ups and paper engineering in general. It's a book for kids who like spooky stories, and adults will certaintly enjoyed. It's likely to become a classic pop-up.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Short, but very good pop-up/interactive, spooky book, November 2, 2008

By 

Shasta's D (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghoul School (Hardcover)

This book has 5 double-page layouts of pop-ups, flaps, spin wheels, tab pulls, and removable bits. Some of the flaps have flaps or pop-ups, too. Great illustrations and kooky touchs--removable Daily Gloom newspaper, school lunch recipe book, etc--will delight. The text describes the school led by Ms. Vampira, but the pictures tell another story - that of students.

The book starts with Cecil Swot being dropped at the school by his ghostly/deceased parents, while the other students look on. He isn't very comfortable with his new school. That is apparent throughout the book, as he and his peers appear on the pages. In the end, the report card states he may be misplaced and arrangements are being made to transfer him "upstairs."

While the pop-up/interactivity of this book are very good, I feel I should state it isn't over the top like some of the latest paper engineering (e.g. Sabuda, Reinhart circa 2008). I feel this book still stands well even with the advances in the area.

My only complaint would be it is so short. But there is a great deal packed into it. Shockingly, you can get a feel for the different personalities of the students from the five layouts even though the only text on them is the report card. Also, when you go back and look at it again, you see things you didn't notice the first time around.

I don't think most kids would find the book scary. It has little gross touches that most kids will find hilarious.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding!, November 29, 2005

By 

Eva "Jacqueline's Mommy" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ghoul School (Hardcover)

My ten year old step-son won't read anything, but he's read this book over and over again. The pictures and pop-ups are wonderful. I wish she would write more books like this one.