It's Not Easy Being A Ghost: A Silly, Spooky Book for Kids and Toddlers

by Marilyn Sadler, Stephanie Laberis (illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Holiday, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 13, 2024

About the author

With a degree in fine arts, Marilyn Sadler assumed she would be an illustrator. But when early in her career she was presented with an opportunity to write, she seized it and quickly discovered that she had found her true love. No sad, sappy stories for her, however. She likes to make herself laugh, and with that her characters usually end up looking pretty silly for one reason or another.

Her first children’s book featured a fastidious little English boy named Alistair Grittle and was originally created for the English publisher, Hamish Hamilton, as well as for Simon & Schuster in the United States. Having created a boy with such perfect behavior, she then turned her attention to a not so perfectly behaved little boy. His name was P.J. Funnybunny, and he has existed in a series of books for Random House, including the highly prestigious Dr. Seuss Cat In the Hat series.

Marilyn’s television credits include two PBS Reading Rainbow programs featuring Alistair, an Alistair program for the BBC, three ABC Weekend Specials featuring P.J. Funnybunny, and a show based on her children’s book, "Elizabeth and Larry", for Showtime’s Shelley Duvall’s Bedtime Stories.

Between 1999 and 2004, The Disney Channel produced three Original Movies based on her book, "Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century". Each of Disney’s Zenon movies had exceptionally high ratings, with Zenon, Girl of the 21st Century and Zenon the Zequel among the highest rated shows in the history of The Disney Channel.

In 2004, Playhouse Disney began production on Marilyn and Roger Bollen's animated series, Handy Manny. Handy Manny premiered September 16, 2006, as the highest rated Playhouse Disney series premiere of all time. In 2009, Marilyn was nominated for an Emmy Award as Executive Producer of Handy Manny.

Reviews

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the series of holiday books (It's Not Easy Being...) comes one for Halloween.

Misty the ghost cat is frustrated because she cannot scare anyone. So she tries on several costumes - toilet paper to be a mummy, a broom to be a witch, and fake teeth to be a werewolf - when each ends in a disaster. Misty receives a big surprise when she decides not to dress up to attend a holiday party.

This is almost too cute for words. Sadler does a nice job of telling this simple story, using repetition of line several times. Misty is lovable. Young kids will appreciate this best.

Digital illustrations by Steph Laberis are color-saturated and full of whimsy. Even young preschoolers will laugh aloud as they see her attempts to be spooky fail hideously. Misty is so adorable with her giant lime green eyes, it would be hard to be afraid of her.

A nice addition to Halloween storytimes, though this can be enjoyed any time of the year.

Optional for Preschool- K.

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too cute to scare anyone, Misty decides to see what other spooky creature she can be since she doesn't consider herself much of a ghost. She tries on the guise of a mummy, a witch, and a werewolf, but each of those disguises result in failure and embarrassment for Misty. An invitation to a Halloween party gives her friends a chance to tell her great she is just the way she is. As they compliment her, identifying all her strengths, Misty realizes that she can be happy just the way she is, a ghost that isn't scary at all, but definitely clever, brave, and strong. What more does a little ghost need? The colorful digital artwork showcasing Misty's failures at channeling other scary creatures will make young readers laugh, and the book's message just might help them accept themselves as they are without any need to change.

[Kelly {SpaceOnTheBookcase] · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and It's Not Easy Being a Ghost by Marilyn Sadler is such a cute and fun Halloween book for children. Centered around the theme of self-acceptance and embracing your unique qualifies, the main character Misty finds herself not wanting to be a ghost but when she tries to be someone else she's also not happy. I loved the words of affirmation told to Misty by her friends and the full circle Misty has about her own self reflection. Gorgeous illustrations and such a fun book with such a strong message.

Thank you Random House Kids for the gifted copy to review.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The team who published It's Not Easy Being Santa Claus are back with a Halloween related book It's Not Easy Being a Ghost. Young ghost Misty is not happy with who she is and decides to try out some new identities. She tries to become a mummy, witch and werewolf but none of those efforts pan out. So when she gets an invitation to a Halloween party, she goes as herself and discovers that is just fine with all her friends. Young readers will enjoy her dilemma and the illustrations that capture the events.

[Vicky Vaughn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was adorable. I love Halloween and enjoy reading Children's books about it. I loved the illustrations in this book; bold and bright. "Misty was a sad little Ghost. She lived in a haunted house that was cold and damp........ And all the Ghosts in books were Spooky. Misty wanted to be like the Ghosts in her books..... but she was too cute to be SPOOKY!" Every child will enjoy this book and get into the Halloween Spirit!

[Riley Yoder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Misty the ghost cat. This story ended up being a story about how bring yourself will make everyone happy, and don’t try to be something you’re not. But it has a very nice coat of Halloween paint. I thought the illustrations were cute but the story isn’t all this that unique. If you like Halloween or spooky theming I’d suggest this over other similar picture books.

[X-F Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to my 5.5 year old cousin once removed. A cute little story teaching children about celebrating individuality and loving/accepting oneself. Wish there were more of these book in my childhood.

[Madison LibraryBookFamily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misty is tired of being a ghost. So she attempts to be a mummy, a witch or a werewolf. Each attempt ends in disaster but in the end Misty realizes she is perfect as a ghost.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming picture book that celebrates individuality. Sweet and celebrating self love.

[Laura Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story of learning to be yourself and enjoying it. Good read aloud book for K-3.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute and great story about being yourself.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This very short book cram in a lot about self-acceptance and just being YOU. Digital illustrations that really pop with "spooky" glows. (Diamond 25-26)

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good message about being yourself.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misty was a sad little ghost, and what made her sad was that she wanted to be Spooky like the ghosts in her book, but she was too cute. In her desire to be Spooky, she tried to no avail to be everything she wasn't. But Misty soon discovered something special about herself