Little Ghost has lost her boo, but she is determined to get it back so she heads out to look for it. On her nighttime hunt she meets a number of friends - Owl, Rooster, Pigeon and Cow, but none of them have heard her boo.
Each animal offers Little Ghost their own sound, but none are as good as her own scary boo. In the end it is the reader that comes to the rescue of the sad little ghost.
The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo is a fun rhyming story full of wonderful sounds that beg children to join in.
It is stunningly illustrated by Raymond McGrath with a dark, yet not scary, palette. His animals are exquisite and I can see this book being used in art classes across the country. The tail feathers of rooster and the patterns on owl in particular are superb. So too is the opening page, drawing the reader in to the story with an interesting perspective and intricate details.
While the book has the potential to be scary for the littlest readers, Boo is a cute character and doesn't behave like a 'normal' ghost. This book could also help children a little scared of the nighttime the opportunity to explore what noises they hear at night.
The story is written in rhyme, it flows easily and makes for a great read-aloud. This is not the easiest thing to master, but author Elaine Bickell has clearly put a lot of time and effort making sure the rhyme is purposeful and not just a convention. For older children, it's a great book to practice intonation and how to use your voice as a storytelling tool.
The winner of the 2019 Joy Cowley Award, and with themes of determination, self-belief, and perseverance, this is a wonderful addition to any bookshelf.
Reviewer: Rebekah Fraser
Scholastic, RRP $18.99