How to Make Friends with a Ghost; Rebecca Green

Have you ever been visited by a ghost? If you have then you might be interested to know that it may have just wanted a friend. And if you are visited by a friendly ghost it is important to be prepared. Ghosts need a very specific diet, regular activities and a comfortable place to have ghostly dreams. It is also very important to make sure that other people don’t get frightened by your ghost or mistake your ghost for a marshmallow or whipped cream - ghosts do not make tasty snacks. This expert guide conveniently titled ‘How to Make Friends with a Ghost” tells you everything you need to know to be the perfect friend…

Rebecca Green’s debut picture book, for which she is both author and illustrator, is quirky, imaginative and is a wonderfully clever twist on the typical how to guide. This is such a sweet story of friendship and, like myself, adults of a certain age will immediately be thinking of Casper the Friendly Ghost. It is not a narrative as such, more a how to guide for caring for a ghost that is broken down into various sections. After advising readers how to check for certain that they have been visited by a ghost - it’s easy to mistake one for a towel on a doorknob or a dressed-up child - Green gives all of the information needed to take care of it. From culinary lessons to activity recommendations to bedtime routines.

There’re also some helpful tips on keeping your ghost out of sight from others and how to make sure your ghost does not get mistaken for a tissue, end up in the laundry or accidentally cooked along with the fried eggs! Like all good friends, a ghost will stick with you for life and will be around to read stories and tell jokes when you are old. A ghost really is your forever friend.

The ghost is utterly adorable with its rosy cheeks and the illustrations have a wonderful classic feel to them with the muted-colour palette. Eagle-eyed viewers will spot lots of little details that add to the charm - be on the look-out for fear-free sham-boo, a pot of mold and a jar of toe jam.

I love this picture book, it makes the supernatural and often scary subject of ghosts friendly and funny and is absolutely delightful. A perfect read for the Halloween season that will have every child wishing for a friendly ghost in their life to look after.

Recommended for 5+.