The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything

by Nadia Ahmed

Overview

If you're a fraidy-ghost, enjoying Halloween is hard!

When Finn is afraid, his stomach swoops, his hands sweat, and he can't move.

Finn, a spooky little ghostie, is too afraid to leave the comfort of his attic to enjoy trick-or-treating with his family. He's afraid of everything—the color orange, trees, people, even flying! But then he realizes that if he wants his favorite Halloween candy, he'll need to overcome his fears. Through incremental exposures to the things he's afraid of, Finn finds courage to do things he enjoys with the people he loves.

Perfect for spooky season, this debut picture book from artist Nadia Ahmed is sure to inspire readers to find the courage to overcome their own fears.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781506495118
Publisher:	1517 Media
Publication date:	08/27/2024
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	39,701
Product dimensions:	8.75(w) x 10.25(h) x (d)
Age Range:	4 - 7 Years

About the Author

Nadia Ahmed is an artist and author from Naperville, Illinois. She graduated from DePaul University with a BFA in graphic design. Nadia often uses only a black pen to create complex worlds that evoke an eerie nostalgia. The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything is her debut picture book.

Editorial Reviews

06/17/2024

An anxiety-ridden spirit develops a plan to overcome his phobias in this tale of Halloween courage. Ghost Finn “twists in knots” when encountering tree branches, the color orange, butterflies, and, most of all, flying. He avoids all that’s scary by holing up in the attic, where b&w line drawings show him perched against a maze of wood paneling. But when his reticence causes him to miss out on his favorite Halloween candy, Finn determines to take action. He spends the next year immersing himself in exposure therapy, beginning by touching a tree branch a little longer at a time. While initial forays into flying don’t go completely smoothly, Finn’s resolve to face his fears wins the day—and a trick-or-treat-filled night. Ahmed’s artwork, which shifts from two-tone to color as Finn’s courage strengthens, enhances the compassionate storytelling on display. Ages 4–7. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"A poignant exploration of courage and resilience, perfect for young readers navigating their own fears and uncertainties. A valuable addition to any collection focusing on social-emotional development and self-acceptance." —School Library Journal

"A sweet, seasonally inspired, social-emotional learning book." —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

06/01/2024

K-Gr 3—Finn is a ghost who overcomes his anxiety through perseverance and finds the courage to participate in the best day of the year: Halloween. When Finn is afraid, "his stomach swoops, his hands sweat, and he can't move," leaving him in a paralyzing panic. "He doesn't know why he twists in knots about these things." He compares himself to his fearless siblings, feeling left out and lonely as they engage in typical ghostly activities. Despite his struggles, Finn's family accepts him for who he is, but sometimes he gets overlooked. Determined to confront his fears and do things on his own, Finn sets out to face his fears with incremental steps. While the book begins with black, white, and orange illustrations in simple line drawings, color slowly returns to the pages, symbolizing Finn's newfound bravery and expanded worldview as he works towards overcoming his fears. This text masterfully captures the visceral experience of fear and anxiety, making it relatable for young readers grappling with similar emotions. It serves as a valuable tool for social-emotional learning, highlighting the physical and emotional manifestations of fear while emphasizing the importance of perseverance and self-acceptance. VERDICT A poignant exploration of courage and resilience, perfect for young readers navigating their own fears and uncertainties. A valuable addition to any collection focusing on social-emotional development and self-acceptance.—Ellen Williams

School Library Journal