By GLENN TOLLE
Full disclaimer: I’ve sort of covered this book when mentioned it in my article on POETRY OF WITCHES, ELVES AND GOBLINS where I said that this is the first children’s book I can remember that frightened me. I also said it sparked my love for poetry.
The book in question is GHOSTS AND GOOSEBUMPS: POEMS TO CHILL YOUR BONES, which features poems selected by Bobbi Katz, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray and published by RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS in 1991.
A variety of fearsome poems can be found haunting every page, accompanied by humorous, yet macabre illustrations which follow each poem like an ominous shadow with depictions of everything from dancing skeletons to (quite possibly) Death himself. At times the collection can be refreshingly open about mortality, which is equally surprising and welcome considering the audience it’s aimed at.
Many of the poems in this book can be found in other books, like POETRY OF WITCHES, ELVES AND GOBLINS. Still, there are a few unique inclusions in this volume, such as the poem UNCLE JAMES by Margaret Mahy and the poem QUEEN NEFERTITI, whose author is unknown, both of which rarely, if ever, appear in similar collections. Next to the latter, my favourite poem in the book would have to be AN INVITATION by celebrated children’s author and poet Bobbi Katz, who also compiled the collection.
GHOSTS AND GOOSEBUMPS: POEMS TO CHILL YOUR BONES can be found on AMAZON for $5.48, used, in “acceptable” condition.
It is my sincerest hope that you have a wonderful Halloween and that you at some point seek out this book. Absolutely no collection should be without it.
