The Ghost in Dobb's Diner: Pictures and Stories

by R.W. Alley

The ghost that pops out of the old green bottle Mr. Dobbs finds is very helpful in the diner, but the rest of the help and the customers are too frightened to find out what a nice ghost he really is.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

41 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1981

About the author

R.W. Alley has illustrated more than one hundred children's books, including the popular Paddington Bear books by Michael Bond.

In 2010, he received a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award for Pearl and Wagner One Funny Day by Kate McMullan. In 2008, There’s a Wolf at the Door by Zoë B. Alley was selected as a Washington Post Best Book of the Year.

Mr. Alley’s newest books include:
Saturday Is Dadurday by Robin Pulver / illustrated by R.W. Alley / Walker Books, 2013
"Brightened with watercolor, watercolor pencil, and gouache, the expressive ink drawings illustrate the story with attention to telling details and express the characters’ emotions with clarity and finesse. Fine for reading aloud, this sympathetic picture book will leave many children wishing for their own version of Dadurday." -
Booklist

Because Your Mommy Loves You by Andrew Clements / illustrated by R.W. Alley / Clarion Books, 2012
"Clements and Alley reunite to produce a strong companion title to Because Your Daddy Loves You." - Kirkus Reviews

When Dads Don't Grow Up by Marjorie Blain Parker / illustrated by R. W. Alley / Dial Books for Young Readers, 2012
"As this sympathetic and celebratory book makes clear, endearingly childish fathers are good for more than just goofy fun." - New York Times Sunday Book Review

Currently he is writing and illustrating a series of four picture books about the fantastical adventures of four siblings. Soon, illustrative work will begin on two picture books based on the life of Enzo, the canine hero of the adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.

Mr. Alley lives in Rhode Island. Visit him at rwalley.com.

Reviews

[Lynnette · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's fine. The illustrations are pretty simple and the story is pretty simple. There aren't very many words on a page which make it great for reading to a toddler. I don't mind stories with ghosts because they're not real so they're no different from like genies. This falls into the category of silly instead of scary.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood favorite

You know, there's nothing like going to the library and picking out a great book to read. Especially when you're a young child working hard to earn the summer reading program prizes. This one absolutely stole my heart and I must have read it over 40 times at least. And it obviously made an impression because I still remember it to this day.

I want to get this. I need to own this book. I try to tell myself that it's so I can read it to my nieces and nephews, but deep down I know that it's really just for me...

[Lea Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute story about a ghost that goes to work in a diner. This story could be used to start a discussion about acceptance/tolerance/stereotypes. Interesting idea that could also be used for creative writing lessons such as a "what happens next" assignment. Read to my children (age 11).

[Kaylee Klaassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Grade Range: 1st - 2nd

This was a funny book! The ghost cooked the dinner in the diner and the mayor loved it! I thought that the mayor would have been mad or scared that a ghost cooked his dinner, but he was surprised. In the beginning of the book, the people in the town did not want the ghost to help with anything. A lesson I took away from this book is that change is okay. It may seem scary at first, but it can be a good thing!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books as a child! Such a funny and heartwarming story with an even more heartwarming ending. The characters are so simple and sweet and work really well with the story. We read this book over and over and it never got old.

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book with lovely illustrations. I really would like to read more books with pictures like this. One star off because I'm not sure if this is capitalist propaganda or not?

[Daleena Pray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet. Bought for my beggars night book give away.

[Alexis Verzal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgot how good this book is