Creepy Castle

by John S. Goodall

A wordless picture book with lovely illustrations from John Goodall's watercolor paintings. A brave young mouse and his lady fair find a deserted castle, venture in, and are locked inside by the villain!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Fantasy, Adventure

60 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

John S. Goodall (7 June 1908 – 2 June 1996) was a British author, watercolour painter and illustrator, best known for his wordless picture books such as The Adventures of Paddy Pork, although his output included more conventional pictures, and illustrations for a wide range of publications (including the Radio Times) and books by the "fictitious village schoolmistress Miss Read". Goodall became one of England's most beloved artists due to the subject matter of his works, the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely picture book with no words and half pages that change what's happening on the page before.

Two beady eyed, fairy-tale mice spot a castle, but a disreputable figure is lurking in the undergrowth. When they enter the castle, the figure reveals itself to be a rat laughing behind his hand in true villain style. He locks the door behind the poor mice and leaves them to explore the castle and meet with it's inhabitants.

Wonderful story and illustrations, fun and imaginative. Nothing scary and it all ends happily.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I don't remember the story really, I'm pretty sure I had (I can't say "read" as it is wordless) this one as a kid, as well as the author's The Surprise Picnic which I had likewise forgotten until seeing it on goodreads the other day. Such nice illustrations, I wonder why I forgot them...?

In this story a princess mouse and a squire(?) mouse are out for a walk and see a castle. They start to explore and some jerk rat who is poaching locks them in. There are various mildly scary things inside. Nothing to worry about unless your child is exceptionally timid, I don't think.

[Shainlock]

Oh I remember reading this when I was little! The mice in their clothing! I wish I could come across it again !

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wordless book was quite lovely. ❤️

[Marni]

A wonderful, wonderful find! John Goodall's artwork and book style are fun and unique, telling his stories beautifully without words.

Also check out Shrewbettina's Birthday and Little Red Riding Hood.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creepy castle was one of my favorite books in the elementary school library. It's a wordless tale about a pair of mice who outsmart a dastardly villain. The illustrations totally hold up for me--just lovely.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sweet tiny treasure. Little hands can snuggle it, and little people can 'read' it themselves. Unfortunate, though, that bats are equated with monsters.

[Pink Leaf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute! ☺️ Made me want to see more in the castle…

[Anna Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I have been searching high and low for this picture book. as a young child it was hands down one of my favorites at the library. Last I heard it had gone out of print, or at least it's been insanely difficult to track down. this just made my holiday season.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also from Goodall is my favorite, The Surprise Picnic. My favorite page is where the turtle eats the tarts!

[Tiuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Medieval mice and a fun, wordless adventure! What could be better?

[Alisha Greenlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun picture book for my son and I to look at together. There's opening flaps on every page, and we had fun guessing the storyline and making up dialogue. The art was beautiful and kept us both intrigued.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the illustrations. Also, the author alternates full pages with half pages to give the characters action. It is very clever!

[Araksia Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appropriate level: Pre- Kindergarten- 1st Grade
Summary:This is a wonderful half page flip book from John S. Goodall. The heroes are mice and the action finds them wandering into a strange castle only to be locked in by a mysterious rat. Drawn to pass through spooky room after spooky room, the pair finally escape and get revenge on their red mysterious scare.
Review: The story is told without words on full and half pages that turn to reveal hidden action within. Their pages offered such excitement and grace.
In class use: this book brings excitement with each page turn. Its a great little book to teach students about prediction and imagination.

[Nitoy Gonzales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn't enjoyed this one. The castle isn't creepy for me. It had that Spy vs. Spy vibe on the plot (if their is one). With this kind of story, it can be crammed into a few panels and that's it. Nothing mentioned (or shown) about the two main characters, the antagonist, their predicament and why would a frog help them. The artwork is not for me.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love John S. Goodall story books! So quaint and cozy; loaded with details! I like the half pages in this book.; so fun to flip the half page and see the story advance. Wordless story is great for pre-readers and readers alike.

[Happy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kiddos and I loved this exciting mousey adventure told through pictures!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the drawings!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a picture book by the excellent artist John S. Goodall. It uses half-pages to add suspense to the tale. It is wordless, but is easy to understand. Recommended for all.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story without the words written in. Flannery actually jumped when we got to the monster on the stairs. We love it.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engineered book of sorts, that tells the story of a mouse couple, who goes through a castle where they encounter bats, dragons, and another scary mouse who follows them around.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

We loved this wordless book. Even has a good laugh at the end, despite the title, "Creepy."

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young mouse and his lady explore a deserted castle and meet a variety of fierce and friendly creatures. Great paintings and half pages add to the quick pace of the story. A fun quick read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books. too adorable.