The Ghost-Eye Tree

Rating:
Summary: For those kids who want to be scared
Review: Granted, I haven't read this book since I became an adult, but when I read it as a child I remember being terrified and loving it! It's definately something I plan on buying and keeping for my kids in the future!

Rating:
Summary: Superb writing and illustration... perfect spooky mood
Review: This book is well written and superbly illustrated, as perfect a match of word tone and illustration as you can find. My 3 year old daughter quite enjoys the spooky mood, the scary ghost-eye tree, and the haunting refrain, "Oooo... I dreaded to go... I dreaded the tree... Why does Mama always choose me when the night is so dark and the mind runs free?" This is a year-round book, not just for the Halloween season.

In response to the reviewer who says the language is harsh, I can agree with that although let me add that it is rather realistic (although not to be encouraged) given the ages of the sister and brother in the book. My remedy is that when the sister says, "stupid," I instead read aloud the word "silly" in its place.

We also greatly enjoy the book Barn Dance by the same group of authors/illustrators. Barn Dance is different in that it has an actual supernatural element and is less a spooky book and more a book of wonder/imagination with a touch of friendly spookiness.

Rating:
Summary: The Ghost-Eye Tree
Review: This is a very scary story that just might scare you. A mother asks her two little children to go and get her a pale of milk on the other side of town. They tell themselves that they are not scared of the Ghost-Eye tree that is in the middle of the town. Nothing seems to be going wrong until the end when they are on their way back home. It might frighten you, but if you are a person who likes a spooky ending this is a great book for you to read.

Josh V.