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Stitch Head #3
The Ghost of Grotteskew
The ghost of Crackbone, a villainous rogue, is haunting the halls of Castle Grotteskew. And if that weren't bad enough, Crackbone claims that Stitch Head's patchwork heart used to belong to him! Will Stitch Head give up to the ghost, or fight for his almost-life?
206 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
Guy Bass
72 books48 followersGuy is an award-winning author whose children's books series include Stitch Head, Skeleton Keys, Dinkin Dings, Spynosaur, The Legend of Frog and Atomic! In 2010 Dinkin Dings and the Frightening Things won the Blue Peter Award for Most Fun Book with Pictures.
Guy's has also written plays for both adults and children. He has previously been a theatre producer, illustrator, temp, gerbil whisperer and has acted his way out of several paper bags.
Guy spent his childhood reading comics and hoping one day to become a superhero. He spends his adulthood in more or less the same way.
Guy lives in London with his wife and no dog - yet.
Guy's has also written plays for both adults and children. He has previously been a theatre producer, illustrator, temp, gerbil whisperer and has acted his way out of several paper bags.
Guy spent his childhood reading comics and hoping one day to become a superhero. He spends his adulthood in more or less the same way.
Guy lives in London with his wife and no dog - yet.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 6, 2016
First Impression:
I have really come to love this series so when I was ready to read book 3 I knew I was getting into a world with great characters and beautiful illustrations. I love how this book is done. Each page is as beautiful as the next and reading it in hardcover just makes it so much more special. I have complete love for these books and this series. I really love Stitch Head.
The Story & Characters:
Something isn't right at Grotteskew. Stitch Head keeps hearing someone call his name. Thing are about to get very scary and only Stitch Head and his friends can fix it. I really enjoyed this story. Stitch Head is so sad but so very cute. I love the friendship in this book and how both the Creature and Arabella are trying so hard to make Stitch Head feel better but when the evil Mawley Crackbone gets in his head things take a very bad turn. I actually liked the villain he was a good villain for Stitch head and his friends to overcome. This book had lots of action and a couple twists I didn't see coming. You are also introduced to a new character that is just so cute plus you finally get a back story that is interesting and lets you get to know Stitch Head and his new friend better. This series is just so fun and I can't get enough of the entire cast of characters.
Final Thoughts:
Highly recommend for kids and adults. I know my daughter is eager to read these and I can't wait until she does. I don't know about the ebook but this is a book that you will need in your hands just to experience the beauty of the pages and illustrations, I can't get over just how amazing this book is and looks. I am excited to read the rest of the series.
I have really come to love this series so when I was ready to read book 3 I knew I was getting into a world with great characters and beautiful illustrations. I love how this book is done. Each page is as beautiful as the next and reading it in hardcover just makes it so much more special. I have complete love for these books and this series. I really love Stitch Head.
The Story & Characters:
Something isn't right at Grotteskew. Stitch Head keeps hearing someone call his name. Thing are about to get very scary and only Stitch Head and his friends can fix it. I really enjoyed this story. Stitch Head is so sad but so very cute. I love the friendship in this book and how both the Creature and Arabella are trying so hard to make Stitch Head feel better but when the evil Mawley Crackbone gets in his head things take a very bad turn. I actually liked the villain he was a good villain for Stitch head and his friends to overcome. This book had lots of action and a couple twists I didn't see coming. You are also introduced to a new character that is just so cute plus you finally get a back story that is interesting and lets you get to know Stitch Head and his new friend better. This series is just so fun and I can't get enough of the entire cast of characters.
Final Thoughts:
Highly recommend for kids and adults. I know my daughter is eager to read these and I can't wait until she does. I don't know about the ebook but this is a book that you will need in your hands just to experience the beauty of the pages and illustrations, I can't get over just how amazing this book is and looks. I am excited to read the rest of the series.
Thanks for stopping by to check out my review.
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Because reading is better than real life
June 2, 2017
Кърпена глава в призрачно приключение
(Цялото ревю е тук: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...)
Вече може да се каже, че тази детска хорър поредица ми е легнала на сърце. От доста време чакам чудовищата от гардероба отново да се размърдат, както са го правили при почти всяко хлапе, готвещо се да заспи на загасена лампа. 😀 Сега не настръхвам, нито се обливам в пот, но за сметка на това попивам всяка думичка с нетърпението на гладно дете пред щанд с шоколадови лакомства. С първите две книжки – „Кърпена глава“ (https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...) и „Окото на пирата“ (https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...) – доста се позабавлявах, тъй че „Призракът на „Гротеск“ („Фют, 2017, с превод на Ирина Борисова Манушева) нямаше как да оставя без нужното внимание. Всички са наясно, че всяко хлапе се бори с някакви свои страхове, докато отминат детските години и това е съвсем нормално. Сигурно има стотици хиляди детски книжки, които разказват за борбата между доброто и злото, за опасности и предизвикателства, за мрачни светове и зли сили. Дори в класическите приказки (макар и адаптирани за деца), присъстват герои, от които се потръпва и усеща паническа атака. Тук главна роля има въображението, което изисква всичко странно и плашещо да придобие лице, да бъде разпознавано на мига. Ползата от тези страшни истории е голяма, несъмнено. Днес има ужасно много родители, които не биха купили на децата си страшна книжка от съвременен автор, но без да се замислят грабят класически приказки, мислейки си, че спасяват децата си от нещо лошо, като че там всичко е свързано с радост и безгрижие. 😉 Не можеш да спасиш едно дете от въображението му, но можеш да го тренираш и закалиш психически. Чудовищата в гардероба винаги ще ги има, със или без четене на страшни книжки, така че пренебрегването на определени истории, предназначени за деца, е безсмислено и дори глупаво. „Кърпена глава“ е идеална поредица за закаляване и спокойно я препоръчвам на всички хлапета. Да видим сега какво има в третата книжка…
(Продължава в блога: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...)
(Цялото ревю е тук: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...)
Вече може да се каже, че тази детска хорър поредица ми е легнала на сърце. От доста време чакам чудовищата от гардероба отново да се размърдат, както са го правили при почти всяко хлапе, готвещо се да заспи на загасена лампа. 😀 Сега не настръхвам, нито се обливам в пот, но за сметка на това попивам всяка думичка с нетърпението на гладно дете пред щанд с шоколадови лакомства. С първите две книжки – „Кърпена глава“ (https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...) и „Окото на пирата“ (https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...) – доста се позабавлявах, тъй че „Призракът на „Гротеск“ („Фют, 2017, с превод на Ирина Борисова Манушева) нямаше как да оставя без нужното внимание. Всички са наясно, че всяко хлапе се бори с някакви свои страхове, докато отминат детските години и това е съвсем нормално. Сигурно има стотици хиляди детски книжки, които разказват за борбата между доброто и злото, за опасности и предизвикателства, за мрачни светове и зли сили. Дори в класическите приказки (макар и адаптирани за деца), присъстват герои, от които се потръпва и усеща паническа атака. Тук главна роля има въображението, което изисква всичко странно и плашещо да придобие лице, да бъде разпознавано на мига. Ползата от тези страшни истории е голяма, несъмнено. Днес има ужасно много родители, които не биха купили на децата си страшна книжка от съвременен автор, но без да се замислят грабят класически приказки, мислейки си, че спасяват децата си от нещо лошо, като че там всичко е свързано с радост и безгрижие. 😉 Не можеш да спасиш едно дете от въображението му, но можеш да го тренираш и закалиш психически. Чудовищата в гардероба винаги ще ги има, със или без четене на страшни книжки, така че пренебрегването на определени истории, предназначени за деца, е безсмислено и дори глупаво. „Кърпена глава“ е идеална поредица за закаляване и спокойно я препоръчвам на всички хлапета. Да видим сега какво има в третата книжка…
(Продължава в блога: https://knijenpetar.wordpress.com/201...)
May 27, 2015
Ma questo libro è adorabilissimo!!! AHAHA!!
I disegni poi sono l'amore :3
"E'... andato davvero?"
"Dura dirlo".
"Non si muove... Dagli un colpetto, tanto per essere sicuri",
"Daglielo tu, un colpetto!"
"Ma nemmeno per sogno! Non... Non ho il bastone da colpetti".
"Tieni, ti presto il mio".
"Ma se ce l'hai, perché non glielo dai tu, un colpetto?"
"E'... è tutto il giorno che do colpetti. Ho il braccio dei colpetti stanchissimo".
I disegni poi sono l'amore :3
"E'... andato davvero?"
"Dura dirlo".
"Non si muove... Dagli un colpetto, tanto per essere sicuri",
"Daglielo tu, un colpetto!"
"Ma nemmeno per sogno! Non... Non ho il bastone da colpetti".
"Tieni, ti presto il mio".
"Ma se ce l'hai, perché non glielo dai tu, un colpetto?"
"E'... è tutto il giorno che do colpetti. Ho il braccio dei colpetti stanchissimo".
March 6, 2015
Nabijte generátory!
February 7, 2020
An Excellent Entry in the Series
Stitch Head is one of my favorite characters. He's funny, practical, loyal, big-hearted, generous, kind and friendly, with spunk and good energy. His creature pals are engaging and appealing, and his human sidekick, the feisty human girl Arabella, is a no-nonsense take charge type who is honestly fond of all the creatures in Castle Grotteskew. It's just a great crew.
This book has a ghostly plot, with a nice balance of thrilling action, suspense, humor, twisty surprises, and touching moments. It is extremely fast paced and screams along to a very satisfying conclusion. It's a very entertaining ride.
One warning. Important plot points turn on Stitch Head's backstory, which was nicely set out in Book One. This is Book Three, and while it offers enough info, it sort of assumes familiarity with Castle Grotteskew and its denizens. You could read this book as a stand alone, but I suspect you'll get more out of it, and enjoy the touching bits more, if you've read the series in order, (or at least have read Book One). That said, this might be my favorite Stitch Head, and that's saying a lot.
(Please note that I found this book while browsing Kindle FreeTime books. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Stitch Head is one of my favorite characters. He's funny, practical, loyal, big-hearted, generous, kind and friendly, with spunk and good energy. His creature pals are engaging and appealing, and his human sidekick, the feisty human girl Arabella, is a no-nonsense take charge type who is honestly fond of all the creatures in Castle Grotteskew. It's just a great crew.
This book has a ghostly plot, with a nice balance of thrilling action, suspense, humor, twisty surprises, and touching moments. It is extremely fast paced and screams along to a very satisfying conclusion. It's a very entertaining ride.
One warning. Important plot points turn on Stitch Head's backstory, which was nicely set out in Book One. This is Book Three, and while it offers enough info, it sort of assumes familiarity with Castle Grotteskew and its denizens. You could read this book as a stand alone, but I suspect you'll get more out of it, and enjoy the touching bits more, if you've read the series in order, (or at least have read Book One). That said, this might be my favorite Stitch Head, and that's saying a lot.
(Please note that I found this book while browsing Kindle FreeTime books. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
April 21, 2022
Всяка следваща книга от поредицата е все по-интересна и завладяваща. Да, може да е малко страшна тази, все пак има призрак, вселяване, отмъщение и тъмен замък, но важното е, че доброто и приятелството побеждава.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 11, 2018
Professor Erasmus a mad scientist uses a heart of a human to make... the almost living Stitch head. But when a ghost cotains Stitch head his friends don't know what to do.
June 11, 2020
It is very good
5/5
Magnificence a e e r r y u ok o a a e f g g no I a
5/5
Magnificence a e e r r y u ok o a a e f g g no I a
January 17, 2022
An enjoyable read - great characters and a great heart too
November 6, 2024
Love the stitch head books although I’ve only read the first 3. All I’m gonna say is there was no need for a children’s book to make me cry like that😂
February 18, 2023
**Possible, slight spoilers**
I loved the ghost element of this and meeting Ivo - he’s adorable! I love Stitch Head as a character so losing him for a bit in the middle was sad.
I loved the ghost element of this and meeting Ivo - he’s adorable! I love Stitch Head as a character so losing him for a bit in the middle was sad.
March 23, 2017
Stitch head is the best Book ever
I all ready read all of the books
I all ready read all of the books
November 30, 2014
Stitch Head, the small patchwork first Frankensteinesque creation of mad scientist Professor Erasmus faces a new threat. To his home in gothic Castle Grotteskaw, to his friends the almost-living creations of Erasmus, and to his only human friend the fearless Arabella from the nearby village of Grubbers Nubbin. As he lies on stage trying to remain motionless playing his part as the dead body in the Creative Creations Collective Amateur Dramatics Society's murder mystery production he hears a voice. And no one else is hearing it. Arabella identifies a haunting but as they follow the voice through the castle unusually for her she becomes terrified. The ghost is the spirit of Mawley Crackbone, a fiend who terrorised Grubbers Nubbin. The villagers colluded with Professor Erasmus and he agreed to poison Crackbone in return for his body to experiment on after death. And Stitch Head has something Crackbone wants back. His heart. Oh, and revenge on the people who had him killed. The discovery of a new creation deep under the castle leads Stitch Head to make a terrible deal with the ghost of Crackbone and mayhem is unleashed.
Guy Bass' text is accompanied on every page by Pete Williamson's evocative cartoony black and white drawings and the whole is an immersive experience, bits of text in spooky fonts, chapter pages with hilarious insane quotes from Professor Erasmus, diagrams and maps. A wonderful book for any reader with a taste for the ghoulish, probably suitable for 7 to 9 years old. My 9 year old loves it.
Guy Bass' text is accompanied on every page by Pete Williamson's evocative cartoony black and white drawings and the whole is an immersive experience, bits of text in spooky fonts, chapter pages with hilarious insane quotes from Professor Erasmus, diagrams and maps. A wonderful book for any reader with a taste for the ghoulish, probably suitable for 7 to 9 years old. My 9 year old loves it.
February 9, 2013
I read this book to my 6-year-old over a few bedtimes. First thing to say is that I didn’t realise it was a sequel until I looked on Amazon for Stitch Head and found it was the third book in the series. That is a plus as it means it is self-contained story not relying on knowledge from the other books, although obviously having read those too would be an advantage as characters appear in all of them.
Stitch Head is a creation made by Professor Erasmus Erasmus, but it turns out that the heart used in creating him was the wicked heart of Mawley Crackbone, a notorious criminal from ye olden days. Well Mawley returns as a ghost to reclaim his heart, convincing Stitch Head to give him control of his body, leading to disaster. But all turns out well in the end.
Despite the ghosts and the Frankenstein-like creations in this book it isn't scary and young kids should be fine with it. And there are plenty of well put together black-and-white pictures to accompany the story too, plus short chapters that should make it ok for young ‘uns to listen to and maybe read too, although it hasn't been dumbed down meaning there will be some hard words as well as made up words from the likes of the creation Pox.
Stitch Head is a creation made by Professor Erasmus Erasmus, but it turns out that the heart used in creating him was the wicked heart of Mawley Crackbone, a notorious criminal from ye olden days. Well Mawley returns as a ghost to reclaim his heart, convincing Stitch Head to give him control of his body, leading to disaster. But all turns out well in the end.
Despite the ghosts and the Frankenstein-like creations in this book it isn't scary and young kids should be fine with it. And there are plenty of well put together black-and-white pictures to accompany the story too, plus short chapters that should make it ok for young ‘uns to listen to and maybe read too, although it hasn't been dumbed down meaning there will be some hard words as well as made up words from the likes of the creation Pox.
June 13, 2017
Una vez mas el pequeño carapuntada me cautivo con una de sus aventuras, en esta ocasión vemos a nuestro pequeño personaje que ya es mas seguro de si mismo, que se ha aceptado por lo que es, sin esperar que el profesor lo quiera, ha aceptado que su verdadera familia son los amigos que estan con el siempre. Esta vez se enfrentara a una aventura la cual es un poco preocupante, por que nuestro pequeño carapuntada se vera en peligro hasta cierto grado. Se enterara que no es el único ser con puntadas. En esta historia seguimos teniendo participación de los demás personajes que aparecieron desde la primera historia, se agregaran dos mas un tanto siniestros.
La edición del libro sigue siendo realmente hermosa, esas ilustraciones son excelente, realmente el autor hace un gran labor tanto en lo artístico como en lo literario. A pesar que este es el 3ere libro sobre este personaje, pienso que se pueden leer de manera independiente, ya que entre si las historias no se entrelazan mucho, pero si pueden conseguir los 3 libros mucho mejor.
Son libros que tienen un toque infantil ( por que te hecho son para niños) , así como aventura y misterio.
Muy recomendables para los pequeños y no tan pequeños que seguimos sorprendiéndonos con las historias infantiles.
December 20, 2014
For more great reviews check out my blog www.buzzonbooks.com
If you haven’t read any of my other reviews on the Stitch Head series you will need to know that Stitch Head is a creation. He is a being made up of a mishmash of leftover parts in Professor Erasmus’s Laboratory.
It was good to see that the creatures of the Castle of Grotteskew are staying busy. They have formed the Creative Creations Collective Amateur Dramatics Society and have started putting on plays! Stitch Head doesn’t seem nearly as excited about the plays as the Creature but he is a good sport, after all he is the heart and soul of the castle!
This is Mawley Crackbone! Isn’t he just a darling!? He is no longer alive, and Stitch Head has his heart. Mawley wants his heart back but since Stitch Head has it he is happy to take over Stitch Head’s body instead. Of course no one wants Stitch Head to give up his heart (or body). I’m sure you can imagine where this goes!
With the same great humour and action packed writing Guy Bass has hit this one out of the park. I don’t think I will ever get enough Stitch Head and am sad that I only have one book left!
If you haven’t read any of my other reviews on the Stitch Head series you will need to know that Stitch Head is a creation. He is a being made up of a mishmash of leftover parts in Professor Erasmus’s Laboratory.
It was good to see that the creatures of the Castle of Grotteskew are staying busy. They have formed the Creative Creations Collective Amateur Dramatics Society and have started putting on plays! Stitch Head doesn’t seem nearly as excited about the plays as the Creature but he is a good sport, after all he is the heart and soul of the castle!
This is Mawley Crackbone! Isn’t he just a darling!? He is no longer alive, and Stitch Head has his heart. Mawley wants his heart back but since Stitch Head has it he is happy to take over Stitch Head’s body instead. Of course no one wants Stitch Head to give up his heart (or body). I’m sure you can imagine where this goes!
With the same great humour and action packed writing Guy Bass has hit this one out of the park. I don’t think I will ever get enough Stitch Head and am sad that I only have one book left!
September 25, 2016
The third installment of the Stitch Head stories. Love the illustrations, as always, and the heart-warming tale that deals with issues of wanting to belong and feelings of abandonment. With monster, and ghosts, and mad professors - oh my! Love that Creature has taken up theater. It's a good series and I'm glad I own the three that have been released in paperback in the states. Thank you Capstone! Hope the rest get brought over from London in the future :)
September 27, 2017
Me leí este libro de casualidad y todo porque mi hija de siete años empezó a leerlo y me dijo que no entendía muy bien el principio. Me puse a leerlo para explicárselo y ya...pues lo terminé.
Si que es verdad que a lo mejor puede resultar un poco lioso si lo leen a muy temprana edad pero me ha parecido un libro infantil entretenido y con una moraleja final...
Si que es verdad que a lo mejor puede resultar un poco lioso si lo leen a muy temprana edad pero me ha parecido un libro infantil entretenido y con una moraleja final...
June 22, 2015
Loved this! All the characters are lovable, the plot was interesting up until the very end, and the humor suited me. Creature was hilarious. And Stich Head was a good hero. Definitely going to pick up book 1 and book 2.
June 13, 2013
Stitch Head is back once more to find out more about the Ghost of Grotteskew. A very entertaining read.
November 30, 2014
Its a good book. Third one in the series. It Is about when stitch head finds out who his head really belongs to, The Village Meanie
May 11, 2016
full of adventure
October 8, 2016
Frankenstein like plot, with great art work.
January 18, 2017
this book is about a guy thta is small and his head is stich heana and he is going through alot and he is thrying to make things better by trying o help other peaple and it is atualy working
November 12, 2019
Todo y que la trama del libro estaba en cierto modo entretenida no me ha acabado de enganchar.
December 28, 2024
Not the best out of them all but still an enjoyable read.
October 17, 2024
Tengo una extraña debilidad por los libros infatiles.
April 14, 2017
Reseña completa--- http://bit.ly/2ofxquM
Frases e imágenes---- http://bit.ly/23zrIDA
La mejor manera que tengo de describir el libro es una mezcla entre el clásico Frankenstein, cuentos para niños y un universo muy a lo Tim Burton, básicamente un licuado de cosas que juntas resultan preciosas, no tengo palabras para describir lo mucho que me gusto el libro y las ganas tan grandes que tengo de conseguir los dos libros anteriores y devorarlos como a este. No sé dónde reside la belleza de la historia, cuando en principio parecería demasiado tenebrosa para el público infantil que es a quienes va dirigido, si en los personajes tan entrañables, si en la moraleja tan tierna como necesaria o simplemente en que Carapuntada es de esos libros atemporales que puedes amar siendo niño pero que comprendes y valoras mejor de adulto.
Frases e imágenes---- http://bit.ly/23zrIDA
La mejor manera que tengo de describir el libro es una mezcla entre el clásico Frankenstein, cuentos para niños y un universo muy a lo Tim Burton, básicamente un licuado de cosas que juntas resultan preciosas, no tengo palabras para describir lo mucho que me gusto el libro y las ganas tan grandes que tengo de conseguir los dos libros anteriores y devorarlos como a este. No sé dónde reside la belleza de la historia, cuando en principio parecería demasiado tenebrosa para el público infantil que es a quienes va dirigido, si en los personajes tan entrañables, si en la moraleja tan tierna como necesaria o simplemente en que Carapuntada es de esos libros atemporales que puedes amar siendo niño pero que comprendes y valoras mejor de adulto.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews