Gustavo, the Shy Ghost (The World of Gustavo #1)

by Flavia Z Drago (Author) Flavia Z Drago (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can't see him.

Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves?

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ALA/Booklist

While ideal for Day of the Dead, this heartwarming story about bravely taking the first step toward friendship is wonderful for little listeners year-round.

Kirkus

Starred Review
Decorated skulls peek out from around every corner; even the family goldfish is a smiling skeleton. This ghostly tale proves that anyone can have a happily-ever-after.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

A cute ghost named Gustavo learns to overcome social anxiety in this sweet tale. Gustavo really wants to have friends, but no matter what he does, his shyness makes him invisible to the other monsters. To counter his inability to be recognized, Gustavo invites a group of monsters to watch him perform a violin concert on the Day of the Dead. Gustavo does what he loves most and finally, he can be seen by others. Ultimately, his life is changed because he shows his true self to the world. A side story involving Gustavo's love for "the prettiest monster" remains unexplored. This is a debut novel from Drago, a Mexican author and illustrator, and she deftly weaves in cultural references. The illustrations are bright and detailed. VERDICT Gentle storytelling and vibrant mixed-media illustrations make for an enjoyable seasonal story.—Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter Sch., Providence

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Mexican artist Drago's picture book debut offers a gentle friendship tale and folk-art-style, textural mixed-media pictures. Gustavo, an ingenuous sheeted ghost who loves playing the violin, is so excruciatingly shy that "making friends was terrifying. Gustavo had never dared to speak to any of the other monsters." He attempts to get close to them by hiding in plain sight, which makes for some quirky images (his visage appears on a balloon, a soccer ball, and a lampshade, among other objects), but the other kids "just couldn't see him." Gustavo bravely invites his peers to a cemetery violin concert on the Day of the Dead, and when "not a soul had come" he plays his music anyway. The kids, of course, eventually appear, apologizing for their tardiness, complimenting Gustavo's performance, and asking him to "hang out" with them, precipitating a pat yet sweet ending. Ages 3-7. (July)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"With rosy cheeks and wide eyes, Gustavo's an easy little spirit to root for, and the book is particularly refreshing in its acceptance of Gustavo's continued introversion even after making friends...Grainy, crayon-like textures pair with sturdy scribbles to give the mixed media art a joyful sense of movement, and the illustrations provide entertaining details of Day of the Dead traditions and the "monstrous" cast. This is an easy pick for some cheerful fall fun or in anticipation of a Day of the Dead celebration." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Flavia Z Drago
Flavia Z. Drago was born and raised in Mexico City. As a child, she wanted to be a mermaid. When that didn't happen, she began her career as a graphic designer and a children's book illustrator. The author-illustrator of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost and Leila, the Perfect Witch, she loves color, textures, and shapes and enjoys creating them with different materials and a bit of digital sorcery. Flavia Z. Drago lives in Mexico.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781536211146
Lexile Measure
550
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Candlewick Press (MA)
Publication date
July 14, 2020
Series
The World of Gustavo
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV017030 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Halloween
JUV069000 - Juvenile Fiction | Ghost Stories
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Picture books
Emotions
Ghosts
Ghost stories
Supernatural
Paranormal fiction
Bashfulness
Violin
All Souls' Day
Performance

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