Thursday 15 January 2015

Babar and the Ghost by Laurent De Brunhoff (Abrams Young Readers)

Babar and the Ghost

Written and Illustrated by
Laurent De Brunhoff

Published by Abrams Young Readers

Laurent De Brunhoff's Babar books are utterly fabulous. Picking up the stories after his father's untimely death at the age of 37, Laurent continued making Babar the awesome and timeless character we've come to know and love.

This story is an absolute corker, dealing with a particular story theme that children absolutely can't resist.

Babar and his family are forced to stay in an abandoned castle one stormy night, and as they settle in something seems a little odd about the place. Wise Babar states categorically that ghosts don't exist, so everyone gets some well needed sleep. But there's definitely something else stalking the castle corridors - a ghost!

Babar's children and their cousins can all see the ghost quite clearly, and the ghost isn't just content with rattling a few chains or tipping over suits of armour. This ghost is very naughty, and likes showing off! Surely trouble can't be far behind!

All our favourite characters crop up in this story, but the real star is the ghost - who might just mend his naughty ways with the right incentive after all!

Definitely one of our favourite Babar stories and such a happy discovery!

Charlotte's best bit: The naughty ghost speeding through the town in a stolen car!

Daddy's Favourite bit: A timeless character, utterly brilliantly picked up by Jean De Brunhoff's son after his father's untimely death. This particular tale is a corker, tapping into children's love of characters that they can see but adults can't.

(Borrowed for review from the awesome Abingdon Library)

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The Babar Collection by Jean De Brunhoff

Babar and the Wully Bully by Laurent De Brunhoff

Babar at the Olympics by Laurent De Brunhoff