The art is beautiful which kids will enjoy looking at bedtime, but the story is a little confusing in terms of the messaging. Is the thesis "it's okay to be different?" - I think so? But it's unclear. Maybe it's closer to "you can still be different and make friends as long as you stay true to yourself?" The story ends rather abruptly and without a clear narrative ending concluding with the point/message of the story, which may confuse parents.

Gilbert is a little ghost who doesn’t fit in with the other ghosts at ghost school because he’s just not capable of being scary. His “bahoo” just isn’t “BOO” enough. So the principle sends him away to the abandoned tower as punishment where he meets a friendly black cat and they build a nice home together where the other ghosts are welcome when they’re tired of scaring.

The illustrations in the book are charming but can’t save it from the unoriginal story. There was nothing new here to add to the friendly ghost genre. We didn’t get to know Gilbert and with all the talk of him being special it would’ve been nice to see his special qualities played out.

In one illustration the classroom chalkboard reads “The principle is crazy.” This book was written in 2015 and I think the author could’ve chosen a less offensive word to use in a children’s board book.

***I was provided a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you!

a perfectly sweet short book about a little ghost called gilbert. the main character is charming and easy for small children to relate to, and he's surrounded by equally charming friends (fellow ghosts and a cat, too). my only concern is that little kids might be a little distressed at a baby ghost being abandoned in a tower seemingly forever? the other ghosts visit him from time to time, but he's still very much confined there as punishment for being different. i get the uplifting message in making the best of one's circumstances, i just think younger readers could be upset that he's unfairly ostracized for the crime of being nice. anyway, children probably won't think about it that hard. the illustrations are beautiful, and for that alone i'd buy the book as a present for any small child in my acquaintance.

I requested this publication for the super cute cover and it certainly didn't disappoint. This was a wonderfully sweet story about a ghost that was different.

Think Casper the friendly ghost picture book. I would recommend this picture book to anyone. It is short, meaningful and wonderfully drawn. The story was so fun to read even as an adult.

Just in time for the spooky season!

I really enjoyed this book!

The illustrations were lovely and the book was heart-warming.

It’s a really positive read all about being yourself – it was easy to follow and understand.

I read it with my four-year-old daughter and she loved the story.

It is 5 stars from me for this one – very highly recommended!

The artwork in this story is absolutely lovely. The cover stole my heart and I immediately wanted to read it!

I thought this was a really cool take on ghosts! They aren't dead people, but are born and go to Ghost School and learn how to haunt people. Ghosts that have learned to shriek loud enough, and spookily enough, are then sent off to become the resident ghosts of towns.

We follow young Gilbert the ghost who doesn't like to scare people and doesn't have a loud 'Boo!' and because of this, he's ostracised at school. The (really horribly cruel) teacher sends him off to the Abandoned Tower because of this, where he meets a cat with whom he can be himself. Soon Gilbert is confident and chilling out with his cat friend and things get better.

I thought this was super cute, but I do wish it was a little bit longer and that maybe there was some resolve to address the teacher sending Gilbert away. He was just such a jerk and I wanted someone to address it with poor sweet Gilbert. Overall though, it was definitely a cute quick read for kids!

After failing to follow a Ghost School lesson, Gilbert’s teacher sends him off to the Abandoned Tower, where Gilbert befriends a cat. I love how cute and wholesome this little children’s book is. It tells readers that it’s okay to be special and accept one’s self as well as what real friendship looks like. The art style is a bonus and it definitely gets me in the Halloween spirit! I would’ve like a bit more substance or a slightly longer story, but it’s short and sweet -- which is probably great for kids.

This is a lovely little book with a great message of kindness and acceptance. Gilbert is a little pink ghost who doesn't seem to want to scare anyone, and after a very unfair banishment to the spooky deserted castle tower, his friendship with the black cat Meow blossoms. Gilbert crafts a caring and warm home in the tower, one where all the little ghosts want to spend time together.

A heartfelt story that shows children how to be themselves, and teaches them that the world does not have to be scary.

Beautiful illustrations, especially the purple, watercolour sky. I like all of the characters, and would like to see follow up books following the adventures of Gilbert and Friends.

I think the story could be slightly longer, with more illustrations, but it’s a good length for children who have just begun learning to read.

This was such a cute read and I immediately fell in love with Gilbert! The art style is just adorable and simple enough to be engaging to younger audiences. The homey way the abandoned tower was drawn made me want to join Gilbert and Meow for tea and cookies! The plot wasn't anything too crazy, but ideal for a children's book as it touches on the message that there is beauty in our differences. This is a lovely Halloween read as it definitely gets you in the spooky (but wholesome) spirit!

Thanks to NetGalley and the author/artist for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gilbert the Ghost es un libro bellamente ilustrado, cuya característica principal es la sutileza con la que aborda el tema de la individualidad y cómo no es necesario encajar sólo por llenar un estándar.

Tal vez su punto más bajo es la brevedad del relato, pero tomando en cuenta que se trata de un libro para un público infantil que, muy probablemente, aún está dando sus primeros pasos como lector, me parece adecuado tanto en longitud como en vocabulario.

I hvae no idea how to review this. It was cute and fun and adorable and everything I wanted from a picture book! Great for beginner readers and for adults that need a break!

I loved the illustrations of the book! It was very colorful and fitted the mood of the story. The message of Gilbert's story was delivered in a very accessible way and I found myself entertained with the story.

Great story about embracing your differences and how they are strengths not weaknesses, and that people will love you for you. This would be great for little spooky kids but it’s not so spooky that other kids would be afraid. The illustrations are cute and simple

This is a very cute, adorable story about a ghost named Gilbert who was different then the others. I feel this story is great for little children to have read to them or to read. The meaning of being different and more less being you is great.

“Gilbert the Ghost” is a cute story that shows kids that it is okay to be different. The illustrations are very cute and easy on the eyes. However, the overall story sometimes did feel as though it fell flat and felt unfinished.

I love spooky cuteness. Halloween could be at least once a month! So naturally I was excited to read Gilbert the Ghost. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me.

No doubt the illustrations are extremely cute. I love the detail! I want to visit Gilbert and Meow in their tower home and I probably need that table cloth for my own home... but the story itself just didn't live up to the quality of the illustration.

I love the concept - embrace your individuality.

I didn't love that the teacher was awful. Ghost or not, you don't want very young children seeing nasty teachers portrayed... imagine thinking that's what you will be getting when you go to school next year!

Although Gilbert embraced his individuality, he did so out of sight. His friends did visit him in his prison, but only when they needed a little break from being conventional (which non of them questioned at all).

All in all it's not the way I would teach the lesson of being comfortable with who you are.

This is a cute children's story, but I didn't like the way that the teacher was portrayed. I would have preferred that the teacher get to the root of why the ghost couldn't properly say "boo" without such a harsh punishment. Educators are meant to teach, but to also listen and understand, show empathy and be a role model for children. This story didn't do that. I gave it three stars because it does have some redeeming qualities with the other ghost children being accepting of their classmate and of the little ghost making the best out of a bad situation.

This is a sweet sort about being you. Not conforming to what the others do or expect and embracing you and your differences. A little ghost stays true to himself and all his friends play and accept him.

What a delightful and important story about beauty and hospitality triumphing over fear and isolation! How I want to have friends (and be a friend) like Gilbert!