The Haunted Playground

by Shaun Tan

Gavin is obsessed with hunting for treasure with his metal detector. He finds the perfect spot--a huge, sandy playground. Then he meets a bunch of kids who have a mysterious treasure hunt of their own. Gavin gets the feeling they want him to stay . . . forever.

Genres: Fiction, Picture Books, Childrens, Horror, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Art

73 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Shaun Tan (born 1974) is the illustrator and author of award-winning children's books. After freelancing for some years from a studio at Mt. Lawley, Tan relocated to Melbourne, Victoria, in 2007. Tan was the Illustrator in Residence at the University of Melbourne's Department of Language Literacy and Arts Education for two weeks through an annual Fellowship offered by the May Gibbs Children’s Literature Trust. 2009 World Fantasy Award for Best Artist. In 2011, he won his first Oscar in the category Best Short Animated Film for his work The Lost Thing.

Reviews

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised reading all the other reviews how low people rated this. I thought it was fantastic! Sure, the plot was a little predictable and some of the language simplistic, but it's a book for 3rd graders, for crying out loud! As such, I thought it was fantastic. Tan's worked very well within the vocabulary limitations, using well-constructed sentences to keep up the suspense despite the fact that I had some idea of what was going to happen. But, again, I'm an adult. I imagine that this would be a very enjoyable read for the second to fourth grade crowd. I tend not to get too excited about "reluctant reader" series (I actually despise the term "reluctant reader"), because good writing is sacrificed for oversimplified language. I don't think that's true in this case.
Ironically, I liked the illustrations less than the writing, since Tan is known and regarded more highly for his art (a la The Arrival). It may just be that the wood etchings were poorly transferred, though. That wouldn't surprise me at all.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of a series of simple chapter books from Australia, recently released in the U.S. by Stone Arch Books, a publisher specializing in "Hi-Lo" books. These are titles intended for older students who are reading below their age and grade level - "high interest, low level."

The Haunted Playground follows young Gavin as he becomes involved in a series of eerie late-night games with a strange group of children. It has the necessary combination of simple language, and suspenseful, non "babyish" narrative, that will appeal to reluctant readers.

As an admirer of Shaun Tan's picture-book work, I was curious to see what he would do with a longer, more textual book. Although I found the plot-line itself rather pedestrian, I believe that it will function quite well as a tool to improve literacy. But the primary charm of the book, for me, was Tan's series of delicate and intricate etchings, which convey a real sense of menace to the reader.

Interest Level: Grades 5-9, Ages 10-14
Grade Level: 2-3

[Nabila Tabassum Chowdhury · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spooky read for 3rd graders. Have read it because of Shaun Tan's name on it.

[Mimi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending was completely abrupt and confusing, which was sad because this book had a good creepiness going for it.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book to read. However, I did not like how the book ended. I felt like there was bits of the story missing. Overall, it was s great read and students in elementary would enjoy this book.

[psycho · Rating 3 out of 5]

was a quick creepy read

[Hayley Horn · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring

[Benevbooks · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was okay, a quick audiobook and boosts my Good Reads challenge

[angelofmine1974 · Rating 3 out of 5]

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/b8FKMDJUbek

Enjoy!

[jahki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooky. The illustrations add to the suspenseful text.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title / Author / Publication Date:
The Haunted Playground / Tan, Shaun / 2008

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Format: Book - print. 73 pages.

Plot summary:
When Gavin takes his metal detector to a new playground to hunt for lost objects, he instead discovers a group of mysterious children who only appear after dark, and who tease him and try to persuade him to play with them until late into the night.

Considerations or precautions for readers advisory:
Scary and suspenseful, may scare younger readers.

Review citation:
Gr. 4-6 Australian artist Tan, whose weighty, fantastical picture books for older readers have been gradually filtering into the U.S. (his graphic novel The Arrival received a starred review in Booklist, September 1, 2007), tries his hand at illustrated fiction in this entry in the Shade Books series, which is aimed at kids with reading difficulties. A lonely boy, Gavin, who appears to be a young teen, has an unsual hobby. The owner of a metal detector, he visits playgrounds at night in seach of valuables. One evening, a group of sylphlike children appear. They ask him to join in their game, and he agrees, though he begins to feel he is the game. Gavin's instinct is right, and he's soon being pursued acoss the park by demonic children who never want him to leave. If the ending is disappointingly abrupt, the suspense builds adequately, and the telling is simple enough to allow slower readers to enjoy the story without feeling they are reading something babyish. Tan's black-and-white sketches give the story much of its dark lure. -- Zvirin, Stephanie (Reviewed 11-01-2007) (Booklist, vol 104, number 5, p46)

Section source used to find the material: Shaun Tan (1974-). Something About the Author (Vol. 251, pp. 190–195). Detroit: Gale.

Recommended age: Ages 9-12

[natercopia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The earlier books by Shaun Tan. Although it didn't offer much to the story, I find it quite interesting to see Shaun attempting to write a lengthy story about a haunted playground. Just because he's brilliant at picture books with quirky characters sprawling across his picture books. I would definitely would love to see a remake of the haunted playground in a picture book. You know the gloomy - eerie vibe you feel just by looking at it. The kind where you know there's something wrong with the playground. I'm not such a big fan of playgrounds when I was young due to the over population of kids flocking at my neighborhood's playground every time after school. But I remember visiting them after the peak period when it's quiet and empty. The feeling of wanting to play endlessly without going home with no rules. It's addictive. I just wish that he would dwell more about the topic and expand on the idea about this particular group of (ghost?)children because it felt like he dismissed them abruptly after Gavin manage to escape.

[Amara Tanith · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a book that's only about seventy pages--with fairly huge print to boot--I was quite surprised how creepy this managed to be! With a "Scholastic Guided Reading Level" of M, it's intended for second graders, and if I'd read it at that age, I definitely would have loved it. Of course, the story is super simple and the extremely sudden ending is a bit disappointing... but it's several leagues better than I was expecting, making The Haunted Playground a pleasant surprise.

If you have a young child (four to eight, depending on their reading proficiency) who enjoys scary stories, I'd recommend giving this one a chance.

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful short novel for younger readers. It owes much to Ray Bradbury's novella from 1953, and would make an interest pairing for study.

The edition I borrowed from my local library was the audio book, superbly narrated by Humphrey Bower. It has been republished in a series of horror tales for young teens, all by notable Australian children's and YA authors. I'm keen to get my hands on more of them if they are as good as this great little story by Shaun Tan, who is best known for his picture books and illustrations.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this to teachers or parents that would like a short story to do "reading group work" with your student/s. Discussion questions and writing prompts are even listed in the back. Reads like a story you might hear around a camp fire or an urban legend to give young adults the "creeps." While the story was lacking in character development it was still a worth wild quick read.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Children's ghost story from an author more known as an artist. The book did have some illustrations which were. fine. It wasn't told as a campfire story so it didn't come across as a classic ghost story. But close enough. The pov character never really becomes someone we know, and the ghosts are just vaguely interesting. And it's not too creepy. So okay but nothing all that special.

[Chris Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was ok (good for a kids audience), not the great writing found in his "Tales from Outer Suburbia" (but that was geared towards more mature readers). His usually wonderful illustrations were so simple in this book, and since it wasn't so much a picture book, they were also few and far between.

[ISIDRO SANCHEZ]

this book was cool i liked it. it was about the boy who liked to go to parks and find coins and dollars. then one day he went to this wierd park that was haunted and every day at night goghts come out and try to make him a goghts

[Mishqueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't decide whether to give it 4 stars for delicious creepiness (maybe I was too close to bedtime?), or 2 stars for being too simplistic in language and description. So the average of three wins. Short and fun, though!

[Alsjem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, powerful little story. Great for reluctant readers, especially boys. Includes questions for discussion in the back and some suggestions for writing. Could definitely be used in a creative way for teaching.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series of teen books were written for the child that is having a hard time learning to read. It has a story line that will keep their attention without making them feel dumb. As always Shaun Tan's art is a joy to look at.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because I love Shaun Tan's art, and realized I also love his story telling. This basically an long short story/novella for children, and will give any reader the shivers. If you like a spooky scare, this is one for you.

[Suebee · Rating 2 out of 5]

RL 3.2 - great for boys, reluctant readers, had discussion qs in back

[sweet pea · Rating 1 out of 5]

this vaguely-spooky chapter book has a vaguely-interesting plot that isn't fully explained. the illustrations, except one, are unexciting. a disappointment, coming from Tan.

[Andy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was kind of a bland story. Some of the drawings were good, but there weren't that many throughout the book. But it only took about 20 minutes to read.

[Virginia Brace]

Good Hi interest/ lo vocab about 3.5. Cover art and little creepiness serves to draw interest.

[Meghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spare and creepy.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would have loved this one as a kid. What makes this story are the creepy illustrations. Freaked me out. haha

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A haunting tale, perhaps not for children, but I found it amazing. The drawings are so evocative; this is a book that will stick with you.

[Ary Nilandari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ini karya awal Shaun Tan. Sebuah novel pendek dengan ilustrasi ala kadarnya. Kalau saja Shaun ada waktu untuk mengubah novel ini menjadi picture book tanpa kata yang menjadi kekuatannya.