View source for George and Ghost by Catriona Hoy and Cassia Thomas

{{infobox2
|title=George and Ghost
|author=Catriona Hoy and Cassia Thomas
|reviewer=Luci Davin
|genre=For Sharing
|summary=A warm and witty introduction to abstract concepts for 3 year olds, and a lovely story about friendship.
|rating=4
|buy=Yes
|borrow=Yes
|pages=32
|publisher=Hodder Children's Books
|date=November 2010
|isbn=978-0340988855
|aznuk=0340988851
|aznus=0340988851
|cover=0340988851
}}

George and his friend are inseparable, but George isn't sure he believes in Ghost any more. He asks Ghost to prove he is real by weighing himself, having his photo taken and showing he takes up space. But the scales don't move, Ghost can't be seen in the picture and the water in the bucket doesn't spill when Ghost stands in it. Ghost can't be real. Or can he?

The story has a happy ending and offers a very cute introduction to abstract concepts, as George and Ghost try to weigh their thoughts, photograph sound and fill a bucket with sunshine. All these things are real, so Ghost can be real too, and the friendship between George and Ghost is definitely real and very important to them both.

This story is simple, funny and sweet, and quite short with just a few lines on each page, making it ideal for a young child who expects more than one story at bedtime when everyone is a bit tired.

We enjoyed the colourful and distinctive illustrations, which have lots of details which aren't mentioned in the text and offer an extra conversation point – what is the dog up to in each picture? George and Ghost live in a seaside town, so many of the pictures are set on the pier and beach. The themes of the story are best suited to a child of 3 or 4, but the warmth and wit of the text of pictures offer some interest to younger siblings and those reading this aloud regularly.

Thank you very much to Hodder for sending a copy of this lovely book to the Bookbag.

The Blue Kangaroo series of stories for the same age group are also about love, loyalty and friendship – [[Where Are You, Blue Kangaroo? by Emma Chichester-Clark|Where are You, Blue Kangaroo?]] is one of the best.

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[[Category:Catriona Hoy]]
[[Category:Cassia Thomas]]