Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
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.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
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
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A little ghost faces his fears in time for Halloween. Finn, a ghost with charming, expressive eyes, doesn't understand why so many things terrify him: trees, the color orange, and flying, which his family does all the time, especially on Halloween. He hides in the attic, feeling lonely. His supportive family brings him his favorite chocolates after trick-or-treating each Halloween. Alas, this year, his siblings forget. Finn resolves to confront his fears so he can trick-or-treat with his family next year. With trepidation and persistence, using self-imposed exposure therapy, he begins with trees: He touches a tree for one minute, gradually increasing the time until he can hug, then climb the tree. Ahmed clearly describes Finn's feelings: "When Finn is afraid, his stomach swoops, his hands sweat, and he can't move." Her poignant black ink drawings depict Finn's more difficult emotions: In one image he's hunched over, surrounded by a riot of squiggly lines. Color seeps into the illustrations the more he manages his emotions; the tree begins to morph from black to brown as he gains confidence. When he reckons with his fear of flying--and even endures a frightening collision--the visuals awaken with pinks, blues, and purples. Throughout, swatches of orange add bold, optimistic hints that Finn will thrive, embraced by his family and motivated by chocolate. A sweet, seasonally inspired, social-emotional learning book.(Picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
