We're Going on a Ghost Hunt

by Marcia K. Vaughan

The way is full of spooky surprises, but these little ghost hunters are eager to find their very own ghost, and every brave young explorer in your neighborhood will be eager to join them.Charming and exciting, with just a touch of scary, this ghostly trek fosters independence while offering reassurance. The rhythmic text and warm, vibrant art create an inviting adventure worth experiencing time and again!

Genres: Halloween, Picture Books, Holiday, Childrens, Monsters, Fiction, Adventure

Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Marcia Vaughan became a librarian in 1975 so that she could inspire children to read. After a short while, she began writing her own books. Her first two stories were never published but her third, ‘Wombat Stew’, illustrated by Pamela Lofts, was published in 1984. It might now be considered a classic of Australian children’s literature.

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to be a parody of ‘We’re going on a Bear Hunt’. The artwork did not inspire me. It simply is not my style. The kids claim to not be afraid and they are hunting a ghost. We see them pass all kinds of scary things like bats and haunted houses. They find the scary ghost and run back past al those things and we see they were all in their imagination. We even find out who the ghost was. It’s a good thing they weren't scared. ha

This is a good beginner’s book especially if they know the story of the bear hunt to compare it too. I read this to both the kids and they thought it was ok. The niece gave it 2 stars while the nephew gave it 3 stars. He seems to be giving his own number now. I do like the parts that rhyme in the book. I wished more books rhymed or used them nowadays, even adult books.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two cheerful young trick-or-treaters go on a ghost hunt in this rhythmic Halloween picture-book, which echoes that classic of the form, We're Going on a Bear Hunt . Accompanied by their dog, the pair make their way through a spooky swamp, past a haunted house, underneath flying bats, past clanking skeletons and through a dark cave. Each step of the way they assure themselves (and the reader) that they are not afraid, but when a ghost actually appears, that is another matter...

I enjoyed We're Going on a Ghost Hunt, which features an engaging story from author Marcia Vaughan and appealing artwork from illustrator Ann Schweninger. The repetitive structure here is enlivened by the visuals, which depict what the two imaginative trick-or-treaters perceive, as they set out on their hunt, and what they actually passed, as they return home from it. The 'ghost' is revealed, in the final illustration, to have been their mother in costume. In addition to providing another layer of the story, the illustrations here are quite charming in its own right, if one likes linoleum cut artwork. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking fun Halloween stories with a few unexpected twists.

[Jaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book with the twins and it was fun! The prose is lyrical and spooky. The illustrations are comforting in a nostalgic way that reminds me of trick-or-treating in my homemade costumes when I was a kid.

Sidenote - debating on creating a secondary Goodreads account specifically for all the children's books I read with my kids and for work so I don't overwhelm myself with mixing my shelves all up on this app.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Has the classic feel of We're Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen (1989), but with clever differences. In this story the kids are going on a hunt for a trick-or-treat ghost. The refrain "we're not afraid, no we're not afraid, no we're not afraid at all" is similar to the original without being verbatim. Each new locale is introduced with the refrain "oh, dear what have we here" and on the way home the reader is let in on the secret identity of each of the things the kids passed on their way to find the ghost.

[Jenilyn Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really cute. Children like to do things like go on ghost hunts and that stuff is especially fun to think about around Halloween time, so I think kids would find it very relatable. Of course, when the children in the story actually find a ghost they get scared and run away from it, so children would probably find that funny as well.

[Pamela Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the repetition that is used within this book because it makes it easy for children to remember and read to each other. Also the vibrant colors are very inviting and fun for the students to look at as it is being read aloud, and it is a great read in preparation for Halloween or simply for the fall season.

[Kelly Thevenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book to read to students during the fall season. It is a great Halloween book about going on a hunt to find ghost. Young children would love this book. It includes determination to find something they have nver seen before.

[Christine Kallner · Rating 4 out of 5]

My toddler son loves We’re Going in a Bear Hunt, so this was a hit! He found some of the illustrations scary, so I would cover those few up as we read because he still requested this one over and over again this year around Halloween.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

loved the pictures but couldn't jive with the text. awkward phrasing, at least for me. I need simple phrasing.

[Skylar Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" spin-off, this time, Halloween themed. As usual, not as good. Repetitive without being really rhythmic. Cute close.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rhythmic text and repetition draw young listeners into the story. Fun to see what the children imagine as spooky Halloween things and what they realistically are in the illustrations.

[Rebecca Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute Halloween story. This book starts off with great determination to find a ghost then turns into fear when they do find one.

[Courtney K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bobo loved the conclusion and seeing what all the scary things really were. Great imaginative book.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A trick or treating adventures that is similar to the traditional bear hunt. Illustrations by Ann Schweninger are reminiscent of Ashley Wolff's style.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Tis cute.

[Egallagher2016gmail.Com · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that a monster cave popped up. It is a cave with a ghost inside.

[Carolyn Jeziorski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok read aloud for the season, but I found the writing to be a bit forced as it tried to mirror the bear hunt chant.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was cute, but not remarkable. Ozman enjoyed the end of the book. I enjoyed the repetition to help him get into the cadence of the story.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

alright

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fun read and perfect for Halloween! 👻

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're going on a ghost hunt is a fun book. They see some bats, skeletons, a deep dark cave and GUESS WHAT??? Read the book to find out.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Illustrations drowned in unnecessary text.

[Nicole Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic, a must read for Halloween 🎃♥️
Love the twist that the mom was the ghost.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an entertaining Halloween-themed version of the classic 'repeat-after-me' children's song, We're Going on a Bear Hunt. We've sung different versions of that song together for many years (especially at library programs when our girls were very young.)

The narrative is a bit long, but is repetitive and filled with lots of fun onomatopoeia. And the illustrations are not scary at all. Even though our girls have long outgrown this book, we read it for the fun of the season and the nostalgia of the song. We enjoyed reading this book together.