Reviews: (by author)

Ireland, Kenneth, ed. Ghost Stories. Boston: Kingfisher, 2005. ISBN 0-7534-5890-X. $5.95. 160. pp. Publishers recommended ages: 5-8.

This well-produced, sturdy paperback with its excellent selections of funny ghost stories is in the outstanding Kingfisher Treasury series. Other books in the series offer stories in, for example, the ballet, myth and legend, sports, fantasy, detective, or animal genres. They are all similarly attractive books, with bright white paper and ample illustrations.

Ireland’s selected stories are short, vivid, and not overly scary. The ghosts range from medieval to pirate to baby; they span generations and are frequently headless. They spook policemen, overconfident and overcurious characters, and those who court their widows. At the same time, they befriend children, calm and practical characters, and those through whom they set right their failings in life.

The different styles of the writers assure that every reader will find much to enjoy. Contributors include Joan Aiken, Dick-King Smith, Robert Sans Souci, Margaret Mahy, and retellers of folktales from many countries.

A. Allison, June 2007

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