Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve been a fan of horror stories since I was a kid. As an introverted and shy kid, I used to joke with my best friend about how I felt like a ghost and wished I had the power to be invisible. After I became a children’s book author/illustrator, I became fascinated with ghost picture books and started collecting them. Ghost picture books not only fulfilled my spooky necessities but also gave me warmth and heartfelt emotions.


I wrote...

Wolfgang in the Meadow

By Lenny Wen,

Book cover of Wolfgang in the Meadow

What is my book about?

Wolfgang is a ghost who lives in the meadow. Along with his friends, Wolfgang loves to practice supernatural things, such…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of Gustavo, the Shy Ghost

Lenny Wen Why did I love this book?

Gustavo is one of the most adorable ghosts, and his story is so relatable. As an introverted and shy person, I can relate to all of Gustavo’s struggles, especially the struggle with making friends.

Flavia’s artwork is so fantastic, expressive, and vibrant. I love the characters and textures. I also love how Flavia applied Mexican culture to the artwork.

By Flavia Z. Drago,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Gustavo, the Shy Ghost as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

A story of friendship and courage - perfect for the spooky season or all year round!

Gustavo is a ghost. He is good at doing all sorts of paranormal things, like walking through walls, making objects fly and glowing in the dark. And he loves playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo also has a problem. He is SHY. Which means some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye-scream or talking to the other monsters. But Gustavo longs to be a part of something, he longs to be seen. More than…


Book cover of How to Make Friends with a Ghost

Lenny Wen Why did I love this book?

Rebecca Green is one of my favorite artists and storytellers. So, when I saw her debut author-illustrator picture book, I was so thrilled.

This book is one of the most adorable books I’ve ever read. Written in like a guide step-by-step style, I learned not only how to befriend a ghost, but the fantastic art is a feast to my eyes.

I love the limited palette and soft pastel tone in the book. It created a vintage and warm feeling for the story.

By Rebecca Green,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Make Friends with a Ghost as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favourite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren't looking! If you follow the essential tips in How to Make Friends With a Ghost, you'll learn how a ghost can be the perfect companion for rest of your life and beyond...

"Green's picture-book debut is a guidebook that will be useful for anyone lucky enough…


Book cover of Sir Simon: Super Scarer

Lenny Wen Why did I love this book?

This book is super funny. Sir Simon’s expressions are priceless. I love how Sir Simon looks grumpy but kind inside.

The layout and comic-like style make this book dynamic and fun to read. Cale’s artwork is super expressive, vibrant, and funny.

By Cale Atkinson,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Sir Simon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

A delightful, funny story of friendship, ghost chores, a spooky house and a professional haunter.

Meet Sir Simon, Super Scarer. He's a professional ghost who has been transferred to his first house. And just in time! He was getting tired of haunting bus stops and forests and potatoes. And to top it off, this house is occupied by an old lady -- they're the easiest to haunt!

But things don't go as planned when it turns out a KID comes with this old lady. Chester spots Simon immediately and peppers him with questions. Simon is exasperated. . . until he…


Book cover of The Shadow and the Ghost

Lenny Wen Why did I love this book?

It’s a heartwarming book about how a friendship could cross any barrier. I love how Cat contrasted the world of Shinbi—the ghost, and Greem—the shadow. The dark, starry night and the colorful, greenish day.

I adore Cat Min’s watercolor artwork and how she handled the colors. The book is so beautiful and delightful!

By Cat Min,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Shadow and the Ghost as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

Shinbi is not a particularly ghosty ghost. At night she likes making tiny bouquets of things, and gazing at the far away stars. Haunting? Not so much. Even if that’s what the other ghosts like.

In the daytime, in a meadow, sits a single rock, casting a single shadow, named Greem. He’d really like someone to talk to. But who? He writes one word on his lonely rock: “Hi” and hopes someone will see it. Sure enough, in the darkness of night, Shinbi finds the note! But who could have written it?

In a profound exploration of how friendship can…


Book cover of The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

Lenny Wen Why did I love this book?

The cover of this book immediately captured my attention. I love ghosts and quilts, so I knew this book was for me from the get-go.

I love the gloomy atmosphere of the artwork, in which the grey tone makes the little ghost who was a quilt stand out. The story itself is also so relatable and heartfelt. The ending and twist in the end give me a satisfactory feeling.

By Riel Nason, Byron Eggenschwiler (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! An adorable picture book for fans of Stumpkin and How to Make Friends with a Ghost.

Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.

He doesn't know why he's a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn't really help…


Don't forget about my book 😀

Wolfgang in the Meadow

By Lenny Wen,

Book cover of Wolfgang in the Meadow

What is my book about?

Wolfgang is a ghost who lives in the meadow. Along with his friends, Wolfgang loves to practice supernatural things, such as hiding and making things fly or twirl in the air. But he also enjoys non-spooky things like picking wildflowers or stargazing.

Most of all, Wolfgang dreams of becoming a great spirit and haunting the Dark Castle like his hero, The Mighty Hubert. When he finally reaches his dream to haunt the Dark Castle, will he truly be fulfilled?

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The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

By Matt Forrest Esenwine, Sonia Maria Luce Possentini (illustrator),

Book cover of The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

Matt Forrest Esenwine Author Of Once Upon Another Time

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

Ever since my parents gave me a copy of Dorothy Aldis’ The Secret Place and Other Poems, I have enjoyed a lifelong love of poetry. Now, as a traditionally-published children’s author, I have had numerous books and poems published over the years, including books that began as poems, like Flashlight Night (Astra Young Readers, 2017) and Once Upon Another Time (Beaming Books, 2021). My poems can be found in various anthologies including The National Geographic Book of Nature Poetry (N.G. Children’s Books, 2015) and Construction People (Wordsong, 2020) as well as Highlights for Children magazine.

Matt's book list on children’s poetry collections about animals

What is my book about?

What is the most important thing to remember about stargazing? When to do it, who to do it with, what to look for? It’s none of those! This picture book’s spare, lyrical text offers many suggestions for enjoying stargazing – but there’s really only ONE thing you need to remember, which is saved for the end.

Magical illustrations show kids and animals enjoying the night sky, and back matter about constellations completes this bedtime story with its underlying message of being in the moment.

The Thing to Remember about Stargazing

By Matt Forrest Esenwine, Sonia Maria Luce Possentini (illustrator),

What is this book about?

What is the most important thing to remember about stargazing? When to do it, who to do it with, what to look for? It's none of those! This picture book's spare, lyrical text offers many possible ways to do stargazing: with a friend, with family or alone; on a moonless night, or with a full moon, or even with some clouds; on the beach, lying in the grass or standing on a snowy hill. There is only one rule of stargazing, which is saved for the end, and that is just to do it! Magical illustrations show polar bears, whales…


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