Jinnie Ghost

by Berlie Doherty, Jane E. Ray (Illustrator)

Introducing Jinnie Ghost, thin as the wind, with hair as white as the feathers of owls and eyes like water. Jinnie whispers dreams to children as they sleep. She brings Charlotte's dolls to life, makes Amy's carpet bubble with frogs and conjures up a giant to carry Joe away to his castle in the sky.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry

33 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Berlie Doherty née Hollingsworth is an English novelist, poet, playwright and screenwriter. She is best known for children's books, for which she has twice won the Carnegie Medal.She has also written novels for adults, plays for theatre and radio, television series and libretti for children's opera.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I think the cover art is a bit misleading as it looks almost cozy and ethereal and very lovely. And, in places, the art IS quite beautiful. But, in other places, it is just downright odd and the children look a bit "off" somehow. There are some neat collage touches, though, and, as I said, aspects are beautiful but maybe just not best suited to this piece? Also, in places, the writing was quite splendid and then in others it just seemed to fall a bit flat. It almost seemed like a poem, only I found myself stumbling over it in places and I think some kids might be a bit frustrated by the on-again, off-again rhymes.

Also, the theme of the book was just a bit...odd. I mean, I could see where it could be a really cool and awesome concept, but as executed it just seemed a bit almost creepy to me... Jinnie Ghost moves through the night, seemingly unawares, and plays with children's toys and gives the children various dreams (or are they real?) Maybe I am just being unfair and if it were a cute fairy or something like that coming to visit the kids, it wouldn't be so creepy. But since Jinnie is a ghost (with eyes more like a zombie; and it says over and over again that she may not even hear the children calling her) it just seems a bit weird, like they are her playthings or something.

Maybe it was just my mood, though...

Chandra, thank you for bringing this to my attention, though. Based on the cover, it seemed like one I would love!

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl ghost(?) visits children bringing them fantastical dreams(?) or adventures. It's not entirely clear what is going on, or why, or whether the experiences and visiting creatures are real or not. Jinnie herself seems less like the standard conception of a human ghost and more like more kind of mythical spirit. In fact, she reminded me a bit of Shakespeare's description of Mab bring dreams and playing tricks, although Jinnie's seemed better spirited. I did like that even the creatures normally depicted as monsters were positive, like the giant and the boogeymen who come to "boogey" with the little boy. But the story aspect definitely seemed a little off, and it was Ray's lovely detailed illustrations that I really enjoyed.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about Jinnie the Ghost who visits children in the night to give them dreams full of adventure and fun such as riding on a unicorn. The story contains similes and effective description which children could try to use in their writing, and it could also encourage children to use their imaginations. The illustrations are brilliant which could be studied in so much detail including the contrasting colours and lines.

[BrookesEducationLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book is absolutely stunning, the illustrations and the level of detail for a child's book is gorgeous and the story itself weaves the tale of a ghost who brings children dreams, turning them into something fun or from nightmares to happy dreams whilst still incorporating that which was fearful.

Jinnie Ghost is something of a mystery, her character is developed only by her actions - there is no reference to who she is or how she has come to be this ghostly-dream character, even when the dreams call to her and ask her what she's doing or where she's going, she does not answer and carries on to the next dreaming child.

This story is filled with wonder and is so beautiful to look at, we definitely recommend this to all!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like to read this book. The author made magnificent detailed illustrations which catch you attention and it is arduous to stop looking at them. It is about a girl, Jinnie, someone between Morpheus and a ghost, who offers amusing dreaming experience to the children she visits. The text runs after the beautiful images without playing a second role: the words are the riverbed and the banks, meanwhile the pictures are the river in flood.
I would recommend this book for shared reading, writing activities (e.g. asking children what is their best dream or to describe a dream they would like to have) or drawing sessions.

[Ché Constable · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book focuses on Jinnie Ghost and her magical powers which she possesses to change children’s dreams to reflect their personalities. This book is quite detailed with its illustrations, however I feel some children could become afraid due to the ‘bogeyman’ as this is a common nightmare children hear about. The teacher would have to become the enabling adult and ensure they are reassuring children whilst reading this book.

[Christina Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up solely because I recognised Jane Ray's gorgeous illustrations and I enjoyed the whimsical, magical nature of the pictures in this story. However, the story itself felt a little disjointed. A thing of beauty but may not have much reread value.

[Ellen Williams-Sharkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Jinnie Ghost's journey throughout the night as she visits children and provides them with dreams. It has got some rhyming poetry and beautiful descriptions including similes and metaphors which would be great to explore with children when working on their descriptive writing.

[Annalise - Teacher Training · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about a ghost who brings the children their dreams at night.
It has an eerie feeling to it, I'm not too sure how I felt about it.
However, the images and descriptions of the dreams were quite interesting and brought them to life.
Lower KS2 focus.

[MelMon Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short tale that brings dreams to life with Jinnie's ghost making stops in all the children's dreams.

[Elizabeth Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely metaphors and similes tell this story. Brilliant book to use for closer reading with children

[Abigail Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book about children’s dreams. This would be very relatable for children and could make dreams seem less scary for children.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jinnie Ghost has become my new favorite kids' book. It is very whimiscal, mysterious, and beautiful. Some of the artwork made me catch my breath...the pictures are like dreams coming to life. It reads like poetry, the words flowing like a song in some parts. It is very easy to lose yourself in the story.
Jinnie Ghost is the bringer of dreams, whispering to children as they sleep, making their impossible wishes reality. There are six children mentioned in the book, with dreams of riding a unicorn, toys coming to life, adventures under the sea, and travels withs giants. There is a hint of darkness and shadow through all the pretty words, and one of the kids- Owen- dreams of dancing with bogeymen. That part might be too scary for younger children, and spoil the magic of the book for them. I would recommend Jinnie Ghost for anyone elementary school age or older. I think it's especially important for the so called grownups I know who still cling to childhood imaginings... we may take our adult responsibilities seriously, but we still believe in dragons and the gold at the end of the rainbow. Jinnie Ghost was written for us.