The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani
The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs written and illustrated by Mamiko Shiotani c2020 in Japan This edition c2025 Floris Books : Edinburgh Translated by Polly Lawson
How about a brand new ghost picture book for the Kindergarten book shelf? A little ghost feels quite happy and safe in the attic of the house where a little girl lives. When the girl downstairs begins to visit the attic, the little ghost is not pleased. Perhaps it is time to behave like a properly scary ghost.
Japanese artist Shiotani’s first book to be published in English is a beautiful work of art. The softly spooky illustrations are hand-drawn in charcoal pencil, according to the title page, and they are just perfect. Everything is shadowy and mostly drawn in shades of gray and black. Objects in the attic are illuminated by a round window just enough to be identified. The few colored objects and the little white ghost stand out against the dusky backgrounds. This is truly a superb example of text and illustration working together. The story is just spooky enough with a gentle ending that should not keep anybody up past bedtime.
