This is a cute book which some might think has a Halloween theme but it's so much more. Gilbert is different from the other Ghosts and that's more than okay. Reading this story with your little ones might open up all sorts of discussions so snuggle in for some quality time and enjoy Gilbert the Ghost.

Gilbert the Ghost is not your typical ghost. In fact he is much more. He is thoughtful and quiet. He is also polite and friendly. A delightful story about ghosts and how it is ok to be different.

A special thank you to Clavis Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

The illustrations were the highlight of this book for me. The story and writing were just okay. I understand and appreciate the message that it's okay to be different, but I do wish Gilbert was at least a little bit more "ghosty". He could have been a friendly ghost and still did ghosty things, but instead he seemed to lose his identity completely in the second half of the book.

Such a cute book! My 15 month old daughter loves it! She kept asking me to read it over and over again. We will definitely be reading this book again during Halloween! Well done!

This was the story of Gilbert who was born different than the other ghosts and from the beginning his family knew he was special. When he goes to Ghost School he encounters difficulties because he is unable to be scary and mean like his principal wants him to be. I thought this would be a fun book to read with kids around Halloween that isn't scary. It was cute but I had a few issues with it. Gilbert is punished to the Abandoned Tower. While there, he makes friends with a black cat and they create a happy safe place for them and welcome the other ghosts to visit. This is great. But I was left wondering how does Gilbert cope with being different without isolating himself? What about the principal? Does he just leave Gilbert there? Is this ok that the adult in the story that is in charge is the bully that abandons Gilbert when he is having difficulty? Also, there is a sign that says the principal is crazy - should he be in charge of Ghost School then? I was not comfortable with the way he was portrayed. The ending was abrupt and doesn't allow for any growth or reflection on how to live within the Ghost School. So my perception of the story was that those with differences should remove themselves and not be included with the "normal" ghosts. I'm uncomfortable with this. Having a safe place is important but also teaching inclusion is as well. I would not recommend this story for children, especially those that are dealing with differences and how to participate in social settings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A sweet children’s story that tells the tale of Gilbert, a ghost who has always been unique. When faced with having to be what everyone expects him to be, and what he feels he truly is meant to be - he finds himself.

The overall message is very sweet, and the illustrations are beautiful.

My only concern, is it says “Gilbert stammered”, and then he is sent away - it appears that Gilbert is scolded because of his stammer. As a mom with a 6 year old who has a best friend with a prominent stutter, this hit us. It is a book we simply wouldn’t have in our home, because we would not want our best friend to read it and his take away be that the ghost’s stammer is why he was sent away.

Perhaps the author could say “Gilbert faltered”, or some other word that doesn’t indicate that his fault is speech related. “Stutter” and “stammer” are interchangeable in speech therapy for children, and those who struggle with it will not realize the use of them in a children’s book as a verb isn’t meant to actually mirror their condition (a noun).

If this word would be changed, I would re-review and re-rate.

Gilbert ist anders als die anderen Geister in der Schule. Er mag es gar nicht, gruselig zu sein und zu lernen, wie man andere erschreckt. Er kriegt nicht mal ein richtiges "BOO" raus.
Eines Tages wird er deswegen von seinem Lehrer in einen alten Turm verbannt, um sich zu bessern und ein richtiges Gespenst zu werden.
Dort trifft er auf eine Katze und die beiden werden Freunde. Gemeinsam dekorieren sie den Turm wie es ihnen gefällt und Gilbert beschließt einfach dort zu bleiben.

Ein schönes Kinderbuch über das Anderssein und dass jeder seinen eigenen Platz in dieser Welt wählen und finden kann.

Than you Netgalley for the e-book of Gilbert the Ghost by Guido Van Genechten in exchange for my review.

I thought Gilbert the Ghost was going to be a cute story. Just look how cute Gilbert is! But I really didn't like the story much at all. The writing wasn't that good. Sad to say, but I would not purchase this book for anyone.

Guido Van Genechten’s book, Gilbert the Ghost, is a lovely story about embracing your individuality. Gilbert is unlike the other ghosts, he’s different and stands out. When he is punished for not being like the others, Gilbert focuses on creating a safe space from himself along with a special companion.

This book has a timeless message about being true to yourself, and can be enjoyed all year round, not just around Halloween! I really loved the illustrations and would recommend this to kids of all ages!

Thank you to NetGalley and Clavis Publishing for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

An easy to read story that is quick for the classroom and simple for the children to understand. There are humorous parts where the children can laugh along with Gilbert, but the main take away from the book is evident.
The story is about acceptable, diversity, and how it's okay to be different.
A great story for young children to read and explore the difficult concept of diversity.

I love how this author has written Gibert as a ghost, which is typically thought to be something scary, and turned him into someone we can relate to. I also liked how the author included his own interaction with Gilbert at the end. The illustrations are also very well done! I'll be adding this to my recommendations to people with younger children!

This is a cute little picture book about a ghost who doesn’t want to be scary. My three-year-old was delighted with the adorable illustrations as well as the sweet story. She will definitely be asking to read this many times over!

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

Great fun for the whole family. Great lessons too. 👻

A book full of Ghosts! You can't get any better than this! I loved the story of Gilbert and how he just couldn't be scary and was exiled to the spooky crumbling tower. No spoilers but such a wonderful Autumn/Halloween read for kids of all ages. I love ghosts and the illustrations were awesome! I highly recommend it! Thanks to #netgalley for the advanced reader copy. I loved it!

A story that says it is ok to be different. Just because you are a ghost doesn't mean you have to be scary. Nice message for children.

A wonderful children's book covering what it means to carve your own path out of what people expect you to do. This ideal is portrayed to its young audience wonderfully, and I am curious as to what sequels Van Genechten has for Gilbert in the future.

This is a very cute book. I really appreciate the illustrations and how they set Gilbert apart from the other ghost by adding a pink hue to him. The transformation between the cold palette in the beginning and the warm one at the end is such a nice way to show the warmth bulit with the grown friendship.

I read this book with my three year old son and it was very cute. It would be a great book to have our for Halloween. Not only was it adorable, but also touched on topics such as acceptance and friendship.

This is a very cute story about embracing your differences and making your own happiness. When Gilbert can't or doesn't want to "scare" like the rest of the ghosts at school, he's exiled to an Abandoned Tower, only to find a friends and use his own resourcefulness to make a happy place for himself, and others.

That part of the story contains a wonderfully positive message that I can't wait for my students to hear. Unfortunately, though, the story felt incomplete and the ending confused me in its abruptness. What ever happened to the mean principal? What does Gilbert do with himself? How do the other ghosts know to visit him? These questions weren't answered and left me wondering.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Gilbert the Ghost is an adorable children's picture book about a ghost who doesn't quite fit in. Gilbert attends Ghost School, but he's sent away to figure out how to scare, but finds himself instead. I loved the adorable illustrations and the theme that it's okay to be different and that we should embrace our innate personalities instead of just trying to fit in.

Thank you Clavis Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC.