Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book.

The illustrations are very simple — perhaps too much so — and would have benefited from more attention to detail. The story is also quite basic. It seems to aim at teaching children that differences are not flaws, but rather what make us unique, and that we should feel free to be whoever we want to be. However, the way this message is presented might not be entirely clear to younger readers.

That said, since it's a Halloween-themed book, I’m sure it will still attract attention and be widely read. We'll have to see whether it truly connects with its intended audience.

I actually can’t get over the illustrations. Writing was cute. My kids could follow the story and found it fun

Loved how this flowed. So cute and funny! I do storytime at my library and I know my preschoolers will love this. The illustrations are just precious well.

Ghosts Say Meow is a mischievously clever storybook about a ghost trying new things. The entire story takes place at Halloween, making it the perfect seasonal read with your littles. It does a great job of being silly, adorable, educational, and heartfelt. I recommend it for teaching your littles new Halloween-themed words, and also a good lesson.

This book is so cute, in the words of my toddler “I love it”
The illustrations are beautiful and eye catchingingly adorable.
With the message of being yourself and letting your voice shine, this is a perfect little seasonal book to put into the fall rotation


Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own (and my toddler's)

The perfect Halloween book for your kids! The art was so cute and the story a fun time that will have your kiddos asking to read one more time!!! This will be in many many boo baskets this Halloween! 🎃 👻

I loved this! Ghosts and Cats!? sign me up. The art in this book is stunning and the story is perfect for spooky season!

Divertida y espeluznante historia acerca de ser diferente e intentar cosas nuevas.

Ideal para la temporada de otoño, y para los chicos y grandes que disfrutan con historias de fantasmas.

Ghost Says Meow! is an absolutely adorable Halloween picture book with a wonderfully sweet message at its core. It follows a little ghost who chooses to say “meow” instead of the traditional “boo,” much to the confusion of her spooky companions. It’s a charming story about individuality, creativity, and the joy of being true to yourself.

The artwork and illustrations are lovely and perfectly matched to the gentle, whimsical tone of the story. It’s ideal for reading aloud with young children, especially those just beginning to learn about animal sounds or the excitement of Halloween.

My wife and I are expecting our first child early next year, and this felt like exactly the kind of book I’d want on our shelf for bedtime. With its sweet message and cute ghost-cat twist, I know my wife (a huge cat lover) would adore it too. I’m really hoping it will be released as a board book in Australia. It’s one I’d love to read over and over again.

A heartwarming, cozy little book with big personality which I’d absolutely recommend for any young family who enjoy spooky season reading.

Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a cute and fun book! I loved the illustration's as well! Perfect for young kids. It would be so much fun to read in a classroom setting! I will definitely need to get a hard copy once it’s published! Thank you for letting me read it! Also my kiddos loved it as well!

As I was reading I was already imaging which classes I thought would enjoy it.! I think the simplicity of it makes it a better book than many other Halloween-themed books. Imaging the students trying to decide if that sound really goes with that animal and which one does, made me decide that it was a cute book for Kindergarten. I look forward to using it as a lesson around Halloween.

Book Review: Ghost Says Meow: A Halloween Story by Lauren Kukla
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 out of 5 stars)

Ghost Says Meow is a joyful Halloween tale perfect for toddlers through first graders. Lauren Kukla offers a playful twist on traditional spooky sounds, reminding young readers that not every ghost has to say “boo.” This story celebrates the fun of being different and encourages little ones to embrace their own unique voices.

The vibrant, colorful illustrations come alive and the lyrical, rhyming text makes it a fun read-aloud, though a few lines feel slightly stilted in rhythm.

Overall, this charming book is a treat for Halloween storytimes. With its inclusive message and cheerful artwork, Ghost Says Meow is a great pick for families and classrooms.

This was such a cute read for the upcoming spooky season! It reminds me of being small and my mom reading to me. I loved it! I don't have kids yet, but my fur babies enjoyed it, plus I did recommend to coworkers with kids to enjoy.

An absolutely charming book with fab illustrations for readers 4-8 about a little ghost who thinks "outside the haunted house." When she talks she says "meow" or "ribbit" or "moo" -- anything but "boo." She encourages her friends to think creatively too. Highly recommended for children and adults who also love to think laterally.

So wholesome with a beautiful message! Cute art as well. Loved it!
My only complaint is that I finished it in a few minutes :)

Ghost Says Meow is a charming and playful picture book that explores the spooky sounds of Halloween in a fun and unexpected way. Perfect for preschoolers, it’s sure to have them laughing out loud!

This book was absolutely adorable! The illustrations were gorgeous and there were lessons about being yourself and not being afraid to try something different.

This is such a fun and cute picture book. Just saying the cute noises and animal sounds made me laugh. It’s a great story with great art and will be a fantastic addition to a classroom and a home.

Thank you to NetGalley and North Star Editions for this DRC.
#GhostSaysMeow! #NetGalley

This book will circulate well in the library - it's cute enough, and it's about Halloween! But in comparison to all the many, many other Halloween picture books that are created every year, this is more of an "additional purchase" than a "must-have." It's simple and cute, but there's nothing to make it stand out or distinguish itself. Thank you for an advance copy for review.

I have a four-year old who was very confused by this story. I love when a story has some underlying message. Sadly, I just couldn’t find it with this one. Perhaps it was meant to be a way to inspire children to be different. However, learning animal sounds is literally a core standard and this story’s lesson seems to against that learning milestone.
We are a family that loves Halloween, even with this respect, this story just didn’t capture my child’s attention. The art was hard to make out on the digital copy. The characters were cute, but the pictures of the setting did not stand out.
I strongly dislike giving poor reviews to children’s books, but based off of the digital copy we received there, unfortunately, were not many redeeming aspects.


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and comments are my own.