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There's No Such Thing As Ghosts!
When we moved to our new neighborhood, I had to promise my mother that I would not go near the strange old house on the corner.
People say it s haunted, she whispered.
Haunted? There is no such thing as ghosts!
But if there is...I am going to catch one!
Bold, three-color illustrations and silhouettes add an old-fashioned flair to this family-friendly ghost story. The reader/listener will be tempted to point out the side story in this engaging tale, but our hero, along with his trusty butterfly net, just does not seem to see what we see...which only adds to the fun!
People say it s haunted, she whispered.
Haunted? There is no such thing as ghosts!
But if there is...I am going to catch one!
Bold, three-color illustrations and silhouettes add an old-fashioned flair to this family-friendly ghost story. The reader/listener will be tempted to point out the side story in this engaging tale, but our hero, along with his trusty butterfly net, just does not seem to see what we see...which only adds to the fun!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 21, 2012
A charming picture book from Belgium (thank you, Kane Miller, for bringing it to America!) about a little boy who moves into a new neighborhood and is determined to find out if there are any ghosts in the strange old house on the corner. Even though he was supposed to promise his mother he wouldn't go in there. "'People say it's haunted,' she whispered. Haunted? There's no such thing as ghosts! But if there is... I'm going to catch one!"
The illustrations (many in silhouette) tell most of the story, with the little boy looking all over that old house for ghosts but never seeing them--though we can. Some of the ghosts look happy to be undiscovered, but many of them seem to want to be found out (including holding up a giant "Bienvenue" sign in the entry way). I love the old-fashioned feel to the illustrations and the story is certainly a timeless one.
All in all, I thought it was a charming, if slightly puzzling, little story and a great choice for Halloween or any time one is in the mood for a friendly ghost story.
Of course, the story brings up some good discussion about whether the boy ought to have gone into the house at all, and I think the point of the ending is open to interpretations
The illustrations (many in silhouette) tell most of the story, with the little boy looking all over that old house for ghosts but never seeing them--though we can. Some of the ghosts look happy to be undiscovered, but many of them seem to want to be found out (including holding up a giant "Bienvenue" sign in the entry way). I love the old-fashioned feel to the illustrations and the story is certainly a timeless one.
All in all, I thought it was a charming, if slightly puzzling, little story and a great choice for Halloween or any time one is in the mood for a friendly ghost story.
Of course, the story brings up some good discussion about whether the boy ought to have gone into the house at all, and I think the point of the ending is open to interpretations
October 14, 2018
Originally published in Belgium as Les fantômes, c̜a n'existe pas!, this engaging picture-book follows a boisterous young boy as he attempts to discover whether the 'haunted' house in his new neighborhood actually contains any ghosts. Warned by his mother to stay away, he is immediately drawn to the house, searching high and low, under and behind furniture, and both before and behind him, in an attempt to startle some spooks into revealing themselves. Finding nothing, he eventually concludes that it must indeed be true, that there is no such thing as ghosts...
Chosen as one of our December selections over in The International Book Club to which I belong, where we read a children's book from a different country each month, the main entertainment value in Emmanuelle Eeckhout's There's No Such Thing As Ghosts! lies in the contradiction between artwork and text, as the little boy continually misses the spirits that are all around him. The artwork, done in lovely black and white silhouettes, with the occasional yellow and pink accent, is quite appealing in its own right. All in all, this was a sweet little ghost story, one I would recommend to younger children who still prefer the sweet to the scary. I hope that more of this talented author/illustrator's work is made available in English!
Chosen as one of our December selections over in The International Book Club to which I belong, where we read a children's book from a different country each month, the main entertainment value in Emmanuelle Eeckhout's There's No Such Thing As Ghosts! lies in the contradiction between artwork and text, as the little boy continually misses the spirits that are all around him. The artwork, done in lovely black and white silhouettes, with the occasional yellow and pink accent, is quite appealing in its own right. All in all, this was a sweet little ghost story, one I would recommend to younger children who still prefer the sweet to the scary. I hope that more of this talented author/illustrator's work is made available in English!
May 2, 2012
While this little book from Belgium was colorful, with it's yellow, white, gray, and black silhouette illustrations, it just didn't grab me. The story was cute, as were the illustrations, but it lacked something. A boy sets out to catch a ghost to prove to himself that they exist, so he goes to a house that's supposed to be haunted. The humor in the story is how the ghosts are all around him but he never sees them. Finally the boy leaves, convinced there is no such thing as a ghost, while the ghosts sadly watch him depart. I liked the illustrations better than the story--in fact, you could almost "read" it without the words. It's ok--I'm sure kids will like it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2012
This is a sweet story in which a little child looks everywhere for ghosts and finds none, while throughout the whole book, ghosts are all around him. The humor comes from the discrepancy between the illustrations and the narrative and we laughed at the comical ghosts.
It's not a scary book at all, but might bring up questions about the existence of ghosts. The illustrations are the highlight of this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. While it's not specifically a Halloween-themed book, it would be a great time of year to read this story with children.
It's not a scary book at all, but might bring up questions about the existence of ghosts. The illustrations are the highlight of this book and we really enjoyed reading it together. While it's not specifically a Halloween-themed book, it would be a great time of year to read this story with children.
August 14, 2008
My son asks me to read this to him all the time. He and his neighbor spend the weekend indoors with the lights out and shades drawn with nothing but flashlights to help on their ghost hunt.
The art is adorable in this book and little ones will laugh out loud when the character in the story cannot see the ghosts surrounding him. Will he ever catch a ghost?
The art is adorable in this book and little ones will laugh out loud when the character in the story cannot see the ghosts surrounding him. Will he ever catch a ghost?
January 30, 2018
Eeckhout, Emmanuelle There's no Such Thing as Ghosts! Kane/Miller, 2008. PICTURE BOOK.
A little boy moves into a neighborhood with a supposed haunted house and is determined to prove that there is no such thing as ghosts. He makes a determined search of every square inch and marches away confident in his pronouncement. What he doesn't see, however, is the audience that he had every step of the way.
The stalwartness of the boy's attitude is a nice counterpoint to the antics of the friendly spirits every step of the way. Younger children will have a good laugh at his expense.
EL - ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library-Teacher.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...
A little boy moves into a neighborhood with a supposed haunted house and is determined to prove that there is no such thing as ghosts. He makes a determined search of every square inch and marches away confident in his pronouncement. What he doesn't see, however, is the audience that he had every step of the way.
The stalwartness of the boy's attitude is a nice counterpoint to the antics of the friendly spirits every step of the way. Younger children will have a good laugh at his expense.
EL - ADVISABLE. Cindy, Library-Teacher.
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008/...
November 7, 2012
3* art
3* story
3* humour
Awesome silhouettes. Awesome look of disappointment when the little boy can't find the ghosts - and of course there are piles and piles of them!
3* story
3* humour
Awesome silhouettes. Awesome look of disappointment when the little boy can't find the ghosts - and of course there are piles and piles of them!
October 24, 2017
Really cute!
May 15, 2018
This one was cute. There's no such thing as ghosts, or are there?
November 9, 2018
Funny and cute little story perfect for a not-too-spooky Halloween read.
March 29, 2012
Sweet picture book about a little boy who promises his mother that he wouldn't go near the haunted house. He then goes, intending to capture a ghost; looks all over; sees no ghosts; then decides "ther's no such things as ghosts." In the meantime, the ghosts are all around, each looking/doing different things: cute ghost holding a doll near the beginning while other ghosts hold a "Bienvenue" banner as the boy enters the haunted house; at the end, some ghosts sadly wave goodbye as the boy leaves.
Rebellious child (breaks promise to mother) doesn't see ghosts so comes to wrong conclusion (just because you don't see them doesn't mean that ghosts don't exist).
Thought/idea: how can we be open to and see/understand things that may be invisible/unknowable/hard to comprehend?
First published in Belgium (hence "Bienvenue" banner?).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2014
The cutest and sweetest ghost book ever! A boy is told not to go to the "haunted" house down the street. Of course he goes anyway, how can a curious boy not, only where are all the ghosts? There are ghosts, only they are more scared of the boy than he'd've been of them! What does THAT show you of how movies treat the afterlife as horror, instead of sweetness and love? These are lovable little spirits obviously inspired by Casper and a real delight. Please read this book! PLEASE!!!
November 21, 2008
As a little person searches for ghosts in a haunted house, the ghosts are playfully causing mischief behind him. He leaves satisfied there are no such things as ghosts. Sweet illustrations- could be a boy or girl main character. The text is simple enough for Storytime, though the pictures are too small.
December 1, 2008
A tiny bigheaded boy (trust me, this is charming not creepy) and some very cheery ghosts occupy this fun read about hunting for ghosts. The pages with the silhoutte art really are delish. Kids will really giggle at the long line of ghosts waiting outside a closed bathroom door, as well as hoot and holler when they see the ghosts and the little boy does not.
December 9, 2012
Cute story...a young boy goes into a house that his mom said he shouldn't enter because it is haunted. He doesn't believe there are ghosts, but he hopes to catch one all the same. Sadly, he doesn't see ANY ghosts (even though they are everywhere around the house, even holding a big sign saying "Bienvenue" in the entryway).
November 28, 2008
As Katherine pointed out, on one page the ghosts are doing the "pee-pee dance"
It's funny I just had a conversation this week about the very point this book illustrates, maybe there are ghosts all around us, and we just can't see them.
It's funny I just had a conversation this week about the very point this book illustrates, maybe there are ghosts all around us, and we just can't see them.
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October 7, 20080-7
November 15, 2008
The pictures in this book are adorable! And I love the little story. Sooo cute!!
November 15, 2008
Cute, cute cute. Adorable illustrations.
August 11, 2010
Cute. Only takes about 3 seconds to read, so be sure to have other titles handy.
September 30, 2012
Has a European feel but just feels like its missing something.
November 25, 2012
See posts in Children's Book Club - International Books.
December 2, 2012
Great illustrations, and a fun story to read.
February 3, 2015
Again, wonderful black and white plus yellow accented illustrations make this book standout.
December 10, 2009
"humorous, haunted house,"
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews