Hush, Baby Ghostling [Hardcover]

Andrea Beaty (Author), Pascal Lemaitre (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up

When the sun begins to rise, it’s time for Baby Ghostling to sleep. But sleeping is hard when your head is filled with scary thoughts of human children! All of the elements of a classic good-night story are turned on their heads as Mama comforts her ghostling with thoughts of owls and bats and monsters. Young children will delight in seeing their bedtime rituals turned upside down. With gentle humor and glowing illustrations in the hues of dawn, this is a lullaby that any child—ghost or human—will look forward to hearing before bed.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–As a mother ghost is trying to get her youngster to bed, every line and ritual used by humans is turned upside down. The ghostling is scared of the light and is told, Now dream a little nightmare while the ghoulies dance and sway./Dream a dream of darkness where the wild monsters play. The little ghost is afraid that there's a boy hiding in his closet, but Mom assures him that children are only make-believe. After the usual hugs, kisses, and assurance that I love you, the youngster finally falls asleep. The digitally colored bamboo and ink drawings are simple and large. The daytime scenes are pink, and those set at night are often purple. The dream scenes are filled with rather scary creatures of all kinds. The story might be scary for the littlest ones, but kids old enough to understand the wordplay might enjoy it.–Ieva Bates, Ann Arbor District Library, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Andrea Beaty is the author of  Doctor Ted; Firefighter Ted; Hush, Baby Ghostling; When Giants Come to Play; and Iggy Peck, Architect. As a kid, she spent her days being a detective, world explorer, movie star, and spy. Now, as a children's author, she spends her days pretty much the same way! She lives in the Chicago area. You can visit her online at andreabeaty.com.

Pascal Lemaitre illustrated Toni and Slade Morrison's bestselling Who's Got Game?: Three Fables, as well as many other books for children. He and his family divide their time between Brussels, Belgium, where he teaches illustration, and Brooklyn, New York. Visit him online at PascalLemaitre.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416925457
• ISBN-13: 978-1416925453
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,825,143 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 Unique twist on a classic bedtime story, August 20, 2009

By 

Jennifer "Techie Mama" (MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hush, Baby Ghostling (Hardcover)

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Hush, Baby Ghostling caught my eye right away. My 4-year-old really enjoys rhyming books though he gets easily bored if they are too simplistic. His favorite books have a common theme and that is the story within is unique from anything else he has ever read. This book fits that bill perfectly. I could tell he was very intrigued and a bit confused that this common bedtime routine was reversed. The story is about a baby ghostling at bedtime, and a common tale unfolds in a very original way as his mommy ghost tries to soothe his fears about the light and says she will "leave the darkness on." He hears strange and scary sounds and thinks they are children playing and laughing outside. Again, his mother soothes his fears and tells him to think of monsters and nightmares. It really fits very well and was an entertaining read for all of us. It continues to be one of his most frequently read books and I'm so glad I picked it up. The illustrations are very nicely done, definitely spooky but not too scary. Just enough to portray the life of baby ghostling and illustrate the many differences between his world and ours. Recommended for all the little readers in your life!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Cute Book! Makes A Great Halloween Gift For Your Childling!, August 20, 2009

By 

Sheila Chilcote-Collins "Sheila Renee Chilcot... (Collinswood, Van Wert, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hush, Baby Ghostling (Hardcover)

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Hush, Baby Ghostling is an adorable Halloween themed children's book with great illustrations throughout and the writing/rhyming syntax is easy to read aloud and wonderful to hear. The book is about a baby ghostling that has trouble going to sleep (during the daytime hours, naturally). Baby ghostling is scared of the daylight, songs and laughter, and cute blonde headed "childlings". Mama ghost tucks ghostling into bed and promises dark scary dreams, haunting noises and moonlight coming soon.

All in all a sweet book, especially if you love the season of Halloween and all things scary like I do!

Unpleasant Dreams...

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Bedtime Story, July 23, 2009

By 

Angie "nycpickymom" (NYC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Hush, Baby Ghostling (Hardcover)

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This book is adorable and the story gives the classic bedtime story a different twist. What if your baby were a ghost?? Mama ghost puts her baby to sleep and tells him to dream of scary things. Don't be afraid of the light....i'll keep it dark for you. Baby thimnks he sees a scary kid and mama ghost tells him not to worry. Kids aren't real, they're make believe. The text is rhyming and the illustrations are simple. A good story for kids who are afraid of nighttime ghosts, to show that ghosts are probably scared of us too. Younger children might be confused and think this proves ghosts are real but it's perfect for the two and older set.