We're Going on a Ghost Hunt

PreS-G 1--On a starry night when the moon is bright, four barefoot children in their pajamas go on a ghost hunt. They pass through the "muddy, murky swamp" and the "rustling, rattling cornfield." They swim in the "swishy, fishy river" and climb the giant tree in the wild, "windy woods." Coming to the graveyard, they encounter a not-so-scary ghost whose howls send them running back the way they came. Safe again in their own house in their own bed, they anticipate another ghost hunt the next day. Cartoon-style illustrations done in watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil make good use of light and shadow. Especially fine are the many small creatures in the swamp, cornfield, and river. Eyes peek out of the knot holes in the trees, while bats fly, mice watch, and a snake slithers. Bold print makes the many sounds ("squish-squash-squoosh!" and "creeeeak-squeeeak-EEEEEEEK!" among them) easy for young listeners to chant as they act out this tale at home, in a classroom, or in the library. Pairing this picture book with Michael Rosen's We're Going on a Bear Hunt (S & S, 1989) would be great fun at storytime.--Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN