![[Fun] A Collection of Picture Books Featuring Ghosts [Scary]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/Tpn61QZeo1A/maxresdefault.webp)
[Fun] A Collection of Picture Books Featuring Ghosts [Scary]
Why is it that ghosts are scary, yet we still catch ourselves thinking, “I kind of want to see one”? In this article, we’ll introduce picture books featuring ghosts that even little kids will find fascinating! Since they’re picture books, the lineup naturally leans toward cute illustrations.
You’re sure to find titles that are perfect even for kids who scare easily.
Some works might even make adults think, “How nostalgic!” That’s how beloved this genre is.
Be sure to read to the end!
[Fun] A roundup of picture books featuring “ghosts” [Scary] (1–10)
A Day in the Ghost Family
What do you think ghosts usually do? A book that answers this simple question is “A Day in the Ghost Family.” The protagonists are ghost siblings, Sakupee and Taropou.
Centering on the two of them, the story depicts the everyday life of their family, including their mother and father.
A distinctive feature of this book is that the story progresses while comparing the lives of ghosts and humans.
Because of this, it’s structured in a way that makes it easy to feel familiarity and affection for the ghosts.
Also, the pages are filled with illustrations, making it perfect for children who want to enjoy the pictures as the main focus.
Ghosts galore
Perfect for children who love cute characters, Zozomaru and the Parade of Ghosts is a delightful choice.
The picture book’s protagonist is Zozomaru, a little ghost.
The story follows him as he gathers his ghost friends and goes out to play.
With a fun new character appearing on each page, kids are sure to enjoy it all the way to the end without getting bored.
Although the characters are ghosts, they’re designed like animated characters, so there’s nothing scary or creepy about them.
Another fun point is that each character lives in an unexpected place.
Boo! I’m a ghost!
If you have a young child who’s just learning their letters, I highly recommend Obake dajo.
This is a work by the picture-book duo tupera tupera.
The first thing you notice when you pick up this book is the mysteriously rendered jet-black ghost.
In fact, the book was created by photographing shadow puppets.
The production also cleverly makes use of that pitch-black characteristic.
Plus, the text is minimal, making it perfect for children to practice reading on their own.
Ghost Train
Some children may not yet be able to understand complex stories, but still love ghosts.
For them, I recommend Obake Densha (Ghost Train).
This picture book lets you peek into the world of ghosts through a train that runs through their realm, showing the cityscape and how the ghosts live.
There’s very little text, and the illustrations are richly detailed instead.
That means you’ll discover something new each time you read it.
Also, there’s a solid punchline at the end, so keep an eye out for that too.
Ghost Tempura
Since its publication in 1976, “Ghost Tempura” has been beloved by many children.
Even the title alone piques your interest, doesn’t it? The story’s protagonist is a young rabbit girl.
She starts making tempura, and the delicious smell lures a ghost to her kitchen.
The ghost accidentally falls into the batter and is about to be fried—such is the plot.
The ghost itself is portrayed as a comical character, so there’s nothing really scary about it.
Ghost Party
Jacques Duquennoy is a French picture-book author.
She is widely known for her picture-book series featuring ghosts.
The first book in the series is Ghost Party.
In this story, the ghost protagonist, Henri, hosts a party.
Henri serves homemade dishes, and the highlight is that the ghosts take on different appearances depending on the menu.
Another feature of this series is that it can be read progressively as your child grows.
For children before starting school, Ghosts Go to School is also recommended.
Who Are You, Little Night Owl?
There are countless picture books featuring ghosts, but perhaps the most famous is Who Doesn’t Want to Sleep? This picture book was created by Keiko Sena, one of Japan’s leading picture book authors, and has sold 2.68 million copies to date—a major hit.
The story is about a ghost who takes away children who keep playing even after night falls.
Combined with its cut-paper, uniquely styled illustrations, it creates an eerie atmosphere.
That said, the ghost’s design itself is relatively pop, so even young children may find it enjoyable.
Bakebake Bakebake, Baketa-kun
“Bakebake Bakebake Baketakun” has been a popular series since its first publication in 2009, with sequels continuing to be produced.
Its appeal lies in the character of the protagonist, Baketakun.
He repeatedly plays tricks on humans, and the exhilarating way he does it really captures children’s hearts.
Among the series, the one I especially recommend is “Bakebake Bakebake Baketakun: Festival Edition.” In this installment, Baketakun runs wild at a festival.
Combined with the lively festival atmosphere, it makes for a delightfully fun read.
Wanpakudan and the Haunted House
Do you know the Wanpakudan series? It’s a long-loved and popular series, so many parents may have read it when they were children.
In fact, there’s a volume in the Wanpakudan series that features ghosts.
It’s called “Wanpakudan’s Haunted House.” In this story, the three members of Wanpakudan dress up as ghosts in a vacant house.
There are plenty of costume variations, so you can enjoy it right to the end.
Another appeal is its twist ending, which has a different flavor from the other books in the series.
A Day with a Ghost
Ghosts are scary for many people, right? But the idea behind “A Day as a Ghost” came from the thought that if you became a ghost yourself, maybe ghosts wouldn’t be scary anymore.
In this story, the young boy protagonist spends a day becoming various kinds of ghosts.
He turns into a kappa and swims in a pool, among other things, and the way he spends each day makes clever use of each creature’s traits, bringing a smile to your face.
It’s perfect for reassuring children who have trouble sleeping at night.
If you like this book, be sure to check out “A Day in Hell” as well.