The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt is such a cute children’s book about how to accept our own differences and find joy in them. The story begins with a little ghost that’s made of a quilt when all his friends and family are made of sheets. He can’t fly like them or have as much fun because of his restrictions. Then one Halloween a mother mistakes the little ghost for a blanket and takes him home. He finds so much joy in behind able to keep the little girl warm that his happiness makes him light neigh to soar with his friends a family. This is a great short picture-type book to share with your children this Halloween.

Ok I know what you may be thinking...what? I had the same thought when I first saw the title of this book. Seemed a little unusual and I wasn’t sold, at first. I was so completely wrong because this is a sweet little story with amazing illustrations perfect for the spooky fall season.

The Little Ghost who was a Quilt by Riel Nason and Byron Eggenschwiler is a charming story about embracing difference and how one simple encounter can change your whole perspective.

I believe every child has a book that sticks with them long after they have “grown out” of it. For me it was a Halloween book called The Witch who was Afraid of Witches by Alice Low and Karen Gundershiemer. It really stuck with me because it turned the idea of witches on its head in my young mind. The Ghost who was a Quilt has that same quality to it. It is a book that will stick with young readers because isn’t it silly for a ghost to be a quilt. In the story Riel Nason describes all of the things that make being a quilt ghost really tough, creating a sadness within the character and a weight to it that many young children experience when they feel different from their peers. A chance encounter helps the ghost to realize that being a quilt is actually pretty special and there are things the quilt ghost can do that no other ghost has been able to.

We LOVE Byron Eggenschwiler’s illustrations. A simple colour palette brings this story to life and captures the perfect Halloween vibe. It really is a treasure book that will spend many years on your bookshelf. You will return to it year after year.

I also come from a long line of quilt loving women. My grandmother continues to make “blankets”, as she calls them, even now in her mid-nineties. My mom, my aunts, my sisters-in-law and many cousins have all tried the art of quilt making with various degrees of results but we have all found the enjoyment and the beauty in this cozy art. In fact the only thing that kept me occupied during the long COVID spring is making blankets, one for The Bear, one for The Bee and one for me.

Being Different Opens Up Possibilities

The little ghost who was a quilt usually feels left out and different from his ghost friends. His parents tried to cheer him up by telling about relatives who were a red-checked tablecloth and a lace curtain. But that doesn't seem to help. All the ghosts look forward to Halloween. Those made of regular sheets can simply hover in the trees and watch the festivities. But the quilt ghost is too heavy to hover and usually hangs out on a clothesline. But the views aren't the best, so he devises a plan to fold himself up on a porch so he can see the action. But at the house he chooses, the mother of the first little girl who comes to the door mistakes him for a regular quilt and uses him to wrap up the cold child. They take him home, where he sees the candy sorting process. After the mother folds him up and puts him on the couch, he disappears up the chimney when she leaves and returns to his friends. They are quite interested to hear about his up-close adventure with humans.

This book is all about being comfortable if you differ from those around you, especially in visible ways. The quilt ghost certainly feels the limitations of his unique circumstance early in the book, but his unique look allows him to have an experience that no other ghost has had or could have. I thought the book ended abruptly. I would have liked the book’s theme to have been explored for a few more pages so the little ghost is clear on the lesson and empowered. The illustrations in this book are mostly dark—very dark. The only splashes of color pretty much are the blue patches that make up the quilt ghost, bits of orange in some leaves and the pumpkins, and the ballerina dress of the little girl. I would have liked to have seen more splashes of color even if the basic feel remained dark, which is appropriate for Halloween. This would certainly make a nice Halloween book for a child who is feeling put down about being different. I wonder, though, if the book is somewhat limited in its use because of the strong holiday theme. All in all, I thought this was a relatively decent book about being different.

This was too typical of every other book about individuality, and the quilt finding a purpose only to leave didn't make any sense. The illustrations were cute, with a 50s retro feel at times, which I enjoyed.

The Little Ghost with a Quilt, how can you pass this title without picking it up? I adored this book and so did my children, ages 3, 6, and 8. I think this will be a huge hit with kids, there’s humour, a sweet and special message, and stunning graphics. I highly recommend this book.

This was a delightfully beautiful book. I absolutely loved the gorgeous artwork, the heart warming story and message of self acceptance.

Cute story. It was an interesting approach to the concept of being different and finding your own way.

A delightful story that is perfect for Halloween. My son enjoyed it immensely. The ending is abrupt, but there are some good messages in here as well.

This story is not only visually appealing, it's also sweet as can be. While most ghosts are made of sheets, little ghost is a quilt. It was all I could do not to imagine snuggling up with him as he is the most adorable and cozy looking little quilt ghost (we are quilt lovers in this house). An excellent tale about why being different is a good thing, children will also love reading about this relatable character who worries he's not like everyone else.

Review will post to blog on August 20, 2020.

A sweet Halloween story about a ghost who's just a little different from the rest, you feel it from every page that this story was wrought with a lot of love and nostalgia. The sensation of being a little girl wrapped up in a quilt on the floor on Halloween night is a familiar one, and the sepia tones of Eggenschwiler's beautiful art (which I fell in love with in <i>Operatic</i>) really helps to evoke that same wistful feeling of timelessness. My nephew and I absolutely loved it.

This was a cute story of a a ghost who is a quilt among sheets, and the feeling of being different or less than only to discover you were more than you thought.

This is a cute little book. I enjoyed the art and the story and I think this will be a good story for an older toddler.

This little book brought the 90's nostalgia and of course many little readers wouldn't begin to understand that feeling, but it is there! I would love for this book to be a part of my school collection as the topic of feeling 'different' and isolated is ever present. A great SEL tool that can be used to open up discussions about feelings in a softer way. Thank you for this gem Riel!

Artwork 5 stars
Message 4 stars
Story 4 stars

This delightful story tells the story of a ghost who is unlike anybody in his family. You see, they are all white sheets, and this ghost is a quilt. The ghost cannot fly as well as his friends and family, he's too bulky and slow. The ghost can't blend in on Halloween as his friends do; no ghost decoration is a quilt ghost! The overall message, learning how to understand that being different is to be treasured. Your differences are what makes you, and that's to be celebrated!

Combine a cute as a button quilt covered ghost, melodious prose, and phenomenal graphics, and what do you get? A great little ghost story with the perfect amount of scare and smile.

Children and adults alike will fall in love with this colorfully coordinated ghost. It is written along the same lines of a certain reindeer with issues fitting in because of the color of his nose. Similar to this reindeer, the quilted ghost encounters obstacles that only he can overcome. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion, and the idea that all children should take extra steps to show appreciation for each other.

Be ready to read this story again and again because your little ones will never get enough of this charismatic floating quilt!

I received an e-arc of this book from Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for an honest review.

In The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt, a little ghost is not quite like his parents or his friends. He is made up on a heavy quilt rather than white sheets. And this difference makes it quite hard for him to do the things that others can do. One Halloween, in his misadventures, he realizes that there are things that only he can do and adventures that he can have because of his differences. It is a heartwarming story and not quite one that you would imagine for a story about ghosts and Halloween but one that I’m sure children will love. Perhaps we’ll even see some new quilt-inspired ghosts for Halloween this year.

What an oddly captivating and memorable picture book about a small, misfit ghost. The illustrations are executed in washes of various greys, which beautifully set off the blue patterned squares of the little ghost's quilt, while the simple, quiet text is a pleasure to read aloud.

So cute! Good little Halloween story of a little ghost wears a quilt rather than a white sheet. He dislikes the quilt, but learns self acceptance at the end. I thought the story was pretty original; how many quilted ghosts have there been? The illustrations were wonderful.

Lovely story about a ghost who doesn't quite fit in because of his differences. One Halloween the quilt ghost finds purpose and gets to go on his own adventure. A definite addition to my Halloween read alouds in the classroom, many students will find the whimsy of the illustrations and message in the story captivating.

Loved this children’s take about a ghost made of a quilt, the ghost knows they are different from others and is unhappy by that. This was a great book for children as it highlights what being different means and how it isn’t a made thing it’s what makes you unique. Stunning illustration