TITLE: The Little Scottish Ghost
AUTHOR: Franz Hohler
PUBLISHER: NorthSouth Books
ISBN: 978-0735845091
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
NorthSouth Books Inc. have released Franz Hohler’s classic children’s book The Little Scottish Ghost. Originally published in 1980, the book has been out of print for over thirty years. This beloved classic features hilarious illustrations by Werner Maurer that are sure to delight a new generation.
The story is set in Scotland – Little Ghost’s parents are ready to retire, but they just need to make certain that she’s prepared for the responsibility of haunting on her own. The only trouble is, every time she tries to scare people they just end up laughing at her. She needs to learn to be ”weirder and scarier.” So the Little Ghost’s parents end up sending her away on a trip to meet the weirdest and scariest of all the Scottish ghosts: the Whistlefield Ghost. The Whistlefield Ghost, though, has a secret of his own that the Little Ghost will soon discover.
Hohler’s book is entertaining and enlightening. The story does an excellent job examining the things that frighten people, and how thin the line between humor and fear often is. Although the book deals with ghosts, it is more funny and thoughtful than it is scary. Maurer’s illustrations, likewise, walk a similar line between fear and fun.
The Little Scottish Ghost is a long-time classic ready for a new generation. Perhaps it will encourage new readers to seek out the ghost stories Scotland is so well-known for. This book is sure to help readers of all ages face their fears with laughter and compassion.
AUTHOR: Franz Hohler
PUBLISHER: NorthSouth Books
ISBN: 978-0735845091
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
NorthSouth Books Inc. have released Franz Hohler’s classic children’s book The Little Scottish Ghost. Originally published in 1980, the book has been out of print for over thirty years. This beloved classic features hilarious illustrations by Werner Maurer that are sure to delight a new generation.
The story is set in Scotland – Little Ghost’s parents are ready to retire, but they just need to make certain that she’s prepared for the responsibility of haunting on her own. The only trouble is, every time she tries to scare people they just end up laughing at her. She needs to learn to be ”weirder and scarier.” So the Little Ghost’s parents end up sending her away on a trip to meet the weirdest and scariest of all the Scottish ghosts: the Whistlefield Ghost. The Whistlefield Ghost, though, has a secret of his own that the Little Ghost will soon discover.
Hohler’s book is entertaining and enlightening. The story does an excellent job examining the things that frighten people, and how thin the line between humor and fear often is. Although the book deals with ghosts, it is more funny and thoughtful than it is scary. Maurer’s illustrations, likewise, walk a similar line between fear and fun.
The Little Scottish Ghost is a long-time classic ready for a new generation. Perhaps it will encourage new readers to seek out the ghost stories Scotland is so well-known for. This book is sure to help readers of all ages face their fears with laughter and compassion.