The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs

by Mamiko Shiotani

A grumpy little ghost makes a new friend in this wryly funny, spooky-but-cute picture book with striking illustrations reminiscent of Brian Selznick.

A little ghost lives in the attic of a big house. All alone: just how he likes it. Until one day a curious girl disturbs his peace and quiet. Why won't the annoying and slightly scary child go away? So he decides to do what ghosts do best...

Shy little ones will smile at the antics of the grumpy ghost in this charmingly offbeat story about being brave, adapting to change, and having the courage to open up to others. Perfect for spooky season and beyond!

Genres: Picture Books, Halloween, Childrens, Friendship, Ghosts, Supernatural, Fiction

36 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Grandma Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are unique and beautiful. The story was fun while teaching a little life lesson. I loved the little girl and ghost. Highly recommend.

I was blessed with an ARC. Thank you, NetGalley. The opinions expressed are my own and unbiased. Enjoy!

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Mamiko Shiotami's picture book The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs (originally penned in Japanese under the title of Yaneurabeya no Obake in 2020, translated by Polly Lawson for Floris Books of Edinburgh in 2025, and no, I have nothing to say regarding the quality of Lawson's translation since I do not know Japanese, but I will say that textually speaking The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs is generally sweet and delightfully simple), a curious little girl being persistent and also unafraid helps a solitary spirit find connection and the promise of friendship.

And yes, Shiotami's and of course by extension also Lawson's narrative for The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs is pretty conventional in set-up, with the ghost in the attic at first being both verbally and illustratively depicted as completely alone and also hugely enjoying this solitude (and which as someone who has always been quite introverted do massively understand, but that I do find it rather uncomfortable and even a bit lacking in respect how there is at least for me and in my opinion somewhat of an author and translator attitude quite critical towards introversion and solitude, since both text and images in and for The Grumpy Ghost Downstairs do certainly leave a feeling of solitude being wrong and sociability being right or at least preferable and much better to being alone and to enjoying this, that the ghost must automatically somehow be grumpy and problematic because he originally prefers being a onesome and not a twosome or more).

But when in The Grumpy Ghost Downstairs, the spectre ventures from his attic one night (to do a bit of exploring and to also conquer his fear of leaving his sanctuary), he is spotted by a human, he is seen by the little girl (depicted in Mamiko Shiotami's artwork with pale skin and dark hair) who resides one story below, and who curious and eager to meet up and make friends with the ghost is verbally and visually shown as increasingly frequenting the attic and with the ghostly protagonist being not at all happy regarding this and thus trying every trick possible to scare her off, but to no avail (that even when when the ghost finally slips into the girl's bedroom to scream BOO, she both remains calm and asks the spirit to become friends with her and with The Grumpy Ghost downstairs wrapping up with ghost and girl becoming friends and making organising playdates).

A generally nice little story celebrating friendship and also overcoming fear is The Grumpy Ghost Downstairs (and never ever even remotely creepy, never ever frightening or chilling), and with Shiotami's black, white and grey charcoal illustrations doing a wonderful visual job both mirroring and also expanding on what is being textually presented. Definitely recommended, but I do have to admit that the critical towards introversion attitude of The Grumpy Ghost Downstaris pointed out above does kind of rub me the wrong proverbial way, so that in particular for my inner child (who was always being forced by my parents, my teachers etc. to be sociable, to make friends and told that enjoying sitting alone and reading was somehow something not all that positive, was I being emotionally distant and strange) The Grumpy Ghost Downstairs is also somewhat uncomfortable, feels a bit critical (and thus rates with but three stars, a high three stars to be sure, but that I am definitely not quite willing to up my rating for The Grumpy Ghost Downstairs to four stars).

[Jason Waltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute ghost story about loneliness, introversion, friendship, and bravery

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mamiko Shiotani has outdone herself with her largely gray illustrations in her debut The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs. The dark depictions of the ghost’s rejoicing in his isolated existence until a brave little girl begins spending every day in the ghost’s dusty attic. I won’t ruin the ending, but children and their grownups alike will enjoy what happens to these two little souls.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight and Floris Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally I review books as a retired teacher and/or librarian of nearly 30 years but this particular review will be done in two parts, one from the perspectives shared by my 4 and 7 year grandboys.

The boys report loving this book (and listening to it 3 times and the older reading once on his own) and say:
*The pictures are so cool because they have so many things in them like all the stuff in the ghost’s attic and in the girl’s room. (7 yr old)
*I like how all the ghost stuff was black and white and creepy and the girl and her room was in all colors, but the ghost wasn’t really creepy but the black makes you think he is. (7 yr old)
*The ghost only thought he was happy but then he met the girl and was really happy. (7 yr old)
*The ghost wasn’t scary; he was nice. (4 yr old)
*I want a friend that is a ghost. (4 yr old)

My 7 year old covered much of what I loved about this not scary at all ghost story. As he stated, the use of color was an excellent touch and added much to the tone/mood of the two characters. Teachers of young children can use this picture book as a segue into conversations about friendship and giving others a chance as well as adding it to their arsenal of books about facing fears. The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs makes a great alternative to more traditional and possibly frightening Halloween books.

Thanks for providing an eARC, Floris Books

[Lillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely illustrations

[Emmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book with cool visual effects for the illustrations. The titular grumpy ghost, however, was not that grumpy after all!

[Beau Manglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reviewing a digital ARC I received via NetGalley.

In Shiotani's The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs, a little ghost who is accustomed to spending time alone in his attic must confront the idea of getting to know someone new when a girl in his house catches a glimpse of him and comes investigating. He first tries to dissuade her using typical scary apparition behavior, such as making objects move, but she remains unafraid and undeterred. Only when he is forced to venture to her room in an attempt to terrify her even more does he realize that spending time with someone else can enrich one's life, not just threaten it.

Shiotani's charcoal pencil illustrations are perfect for settings like a dark attic filled with mystery objects and for the little ghost himself, who changes in size and shape depending on his actions and is dynamically depicted. The art really heightens the tone and richness of this work.

This is a lovely picture book that balances humor and sincerity. I would recommend it for any juvenile collection.

[The Perennial Parent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little story. My five year old loves ghosts but we get tired of the traditional trick-or-treat style ones and this book was basically about someone who values their alone time and then gets grumpy when someone new shows up but discovers they can make a new friend and still have their alone time... and one of those someones is a Ghost. I was fortunate enough to be given an advanced copy of this book and I can't wait to buy the physical copy.

[Our Weekend Is Booked · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs is a stunning picture book by Mamiko Shiotani. We meet a ghost who enjoys his solitary existence living in the attic. All of this changes when a curious little girl stumbles upon his home. Our grump ghost tries many tactics to scare her off, but what unfolds is a sweet and surprising story of friendship.


What I liked: The story has an important message that though change can be scary, it can also be rewarding. I can see parents and educators using this book to show that change and friendship should be embraced, not feared. What truly sets this book apart, however, are the charcoal illustrations. They are more than just pictures; they are an integral part of the storytelling, making the attic setting and characters come alive.

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs is a heartwarming book with exquisite illustrations that young readers will adore.

This review first appeared on YA Books Central and can be found here: https://yabookscentral.com/the-grumpy...

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shy, grumpy little ghost lives alone in an attic, happily enjoying his solitude. One night, in a moment of courage, he flies out his attic window, swooping in the dark sky, certain that no one can see him. But someone does – the little girl who lives in his house and she decides to investigate. The ghost tries to scare her off, but the brave girl is persistent. His antics escalate until eventually they meet, forming a friendship. Then the grumpy ghost realizes he doesn't feel quite so grumpy anymore. This sweet book speaks to introverts of all ages, honoring the desire for solitude, while opening the door to the power of friendships. The beautiful, subtle artwork has the appearance of pencil shading, capturing the look of moody moonlight and the transparent ghost. The book was originally published in Japan, but both the young girl and the home she lives in have a multicultural look that could be from anywhere. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[KaysKillerReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been searching for children’s books with a slightly spooky vibe that don’t feel overly silly or cartoonish. Since I’m a big horror fan, my 3-year-old has naturally shown interest in stories with ghosts and “scary” characters, but most options out there are either too colorful or too childish in tone.

This book turned out to be a fantastic find. The story follows a ghost who’s been alone for a long time and is frightened when a little girl suddenly appears in his space. What seems scary at first transforms into something sweet, as the girl only wants to be friends. It’s a thoughtful way of showing kids that sometimes the things we find scary really aren’t so frightening after all.

The artwork is lovely and fits the tone perfectly, and the length is just right for a bedtime story. It’s engaging enough to feel complete, but short enough to hold my toddler’s attention. My son really enjoyed it, and I did too.

Overall, it’s a charming, slightly spooky but heartwarming read that’s perfect for introducing young kids to ghost stories without actually scaring them.

[Cathy Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aww, this book is so cute. It reminds me of the Monsters, Inc. movie. A solitary ghost just wants to hang out by himself and do ghost things, but he ends up making a new friend. I feel like this would be a great book to teach young kids that you can treasure your alone time and also enjoy friendships (and personally as an introvert who needs my space but also sometimes gets a little lonely, I feel this). There's also maybe a mild lesson here about stereotypes -- the ghost assuming the girl will be afraid of him, but she takes it in stride, completely unfazed.

I loved the illustrations and feel that the muted, dark colors and grainy texture perfectly reflect and enhance the somber, quiet mood of the book. The 2-page spread showing the ghost frame-by-frame thinking hard and sinking down into himself made me chuckle. Little details in the illustrations were cute, too (e.g., the ghost being transparent). The ghost is depicted as such a cute form that I don't think this book would be scary at all for very young kids.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Floris Books through the PW Grab a Galley Summer 2025.
Readers meet a ghost who is happy to be alone in his attic. He plays and explores and longs to venture beyond his space. When he builds up the courage to leave, he loves it. However a young girl sees him and this will change his life. She wants to meet him so comes up to the attic. The ghost didn't know what to do with this new situation. We see him try all sorts of tricks to chase her away and regain his peace. But, she isn't frightened and invites him to play in her room too. He discovers that change can be good and he can still find time for his needed alone time.
I appreciate the background details that add so much to this story. The ghost's expressions capture the emotions he feels (with just his eyes) which allows readers to feel they are part of the book too.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The moody, somewhat somber and slightly intimidating charcoal illustrations fit this story with an unexpected ending perfectly. The plot concerns a ghost who enjoys its solitude. He never ventures from the attic until one day he yields to the impulse to leave the house and fly. When a small girl disturbs his domain, he haunts her, trying, but failing, to frighten her. In fact, she's known about him all along, and an unlikely friendship forms. The book's last lines are everything, reassuring readers that not everything that seems strange and frightening may not be so. Educators and parents might want to share this picture book with youngsters as a gentle reminder that friendship can be found in unexpected places and ways and that they need not fear something that seems scary.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo-tifully illustrated. Marvelously kid-friendly. This translation brings all the charm of a golden-age picture book into the present with its intricate backgrounds, delicious textural art, and smart use of value and limited color. The main character is quirky and likable. His problems are relatable to young children everywhere. The text is smart and subtly funny. I laughed out loud in delight. The message of friendship is evergreen, and the english version of the text, though a touch stiff to American picture book readers, is clever enough to make up for any shortcomings. I book you'll want to explore through multiple readings. I received an advanced digital copy of this book for review. It releases August 2025.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely charming story about a little ghost who lives alone in an attic. He considers himself perfectly happy, but when someone begins intruding on his space, his contentment quickly turns to grumpiness. Determined to reclaim his quiet life, he sets out to scare the newcomer away, especially since the guest seems a bit frightening to him! As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the ghost may simply be shy. Could this unexpected visitor offer the possibility of a different life?

The illustration style in this book is unique and lovely, adding immeasurably to the book’s unique appeal. This would work very well in a school or library storytime, especially when paired with a discussion about feelings, friendship, and stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

[Bexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little ghost has enjoyed his alone time in the attic. He has many adventures, but it does get a little boring. One day he decides to go out, but this brings someone up to the attic. Little ghost doesn't want to share his attic, it's his space, but this new visitor doesn't seem willing to leave his space alone. He tries all the things he knows to scare her away, but she refuses to leave. He decides that he's going to visit her, and in visiting he gets a friend. A sweet story about doing things that might scare you and the joys that can come with that.

ARC provided by publisher and Edelweiss.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs is a fun, cozy picture book with just the right mix of spooky and sweet. The hand-drawn charcoal illustrations are full of detail, capturing the attic’s clutter and curiosities.

I giggled the whole way through, but what really stayed with me was the message: the innocence of children can soften even the grumpiest spirit, and shyness or fear of the unknown can be eased with kindness.

A playful seasonal read, perfect for sharing at bedtime or anytime.

Thanks to NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight, and Floris Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Christa Thrasher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way the illustrations are done with limited color, and they look pencil drawn.
The little ghost upstairs loves his life in the attic all alone. But one day he finds that he has a visitor, and he is not happy about it. He tries to scare her, but it doesn't work. He's more afraid of her than she is of him. So one day he decides to visit her room to scare her off, and she is excited to see him. And he ends up enjoying visiting his new friend.
This is a great for kids that are shy about making friends. Also, great for introverts to remind them it's ok to love their alone time, but also get out once in a while with friends.

[Christie Kaaland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shiotani's haunting black-and-white, soft-toned, hazy-hued images perfectly deliver the mood of this story about a friendly shy ghost who lives in the attic. He likes his solitary life, until the young girl who lives downstairs begins to spend time in the attic. At first, the ghost tries to scare her away, but the girl is unafraid. Finally, with an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude, the ghost decides to go to her room and scare her. She is unshakable and the ghost realizes a life with a friend just might be all right.

In her first book to be published in English, Shiotani delivers a powerful melding of art and words, in this brief text for young readers.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely adorable story about a ghost whose entire world is the attic until a little girl ventures into his space. He is not a happy ghost. In fact, he is quite grumpy that she has the audacity to go there and shows no signs of being at all alarmed. He decides it is time to up his game and haunt the little girl. To his chagrin she is not frightened but welcoming.

Thwarted, he returns to his attic but the little girl returns and asks if they can be friends. From that point on, the two of them are great buddies and the ghost is no longer grumpy.

The story with charming artwork is likely to become a bedtime favourite for youngsters. Five purrs and two paws up.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The little ghost in the attic is very happy to spend their time alone. That way, they can swoop, fly, and do whatever they want. But one day, a new little person comes into their attic, and refuses to be afraid of the little ghost.
As the little ghost tries to get rid of their new guest, they are going to learn that some don't scare easily, but maybe it is good to just confront their own fears.

Super cute little read! This is a sweet way to learn to confront their fears, and maybe get a new friend in the process.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how everything in the attic is in black and white, except the little girl that visits the attic and that everything outside of the attic is bright and colorful.
Were things dark in the attic because the ghost had closed itself off to the outside world and the attic was a reflection of their feelings?
I love that the young girl was able to bring the ghost out of their comfort zone and helped them to remember that they can find happiness.
A cute book for young readers and a reminder to older readers to find your happiness.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

A ghost finds its solitude interrupted when the child who lives in its house starts visiting the attic.

A little ghost happily haunts its attic until one the child who lives in the house sees the ghosts flying outside. She starts to visit the attic during day, which disturbs the ghost's peace. At first he hides. Then he starts trying scare her. Finally, he visits her in her bedroom downstairs. To his surprise, she isn't frightened and asks him to play.

This story addresses change and the bravery required to initiate a friendship.

The illustrations were done in charcoal pencil.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are a few other ghost stories for children that I like a touch more but this one has the ironic moment in which our grumpy ghost in the attic enjoys his quiet, alone time until a kid interrupts that. So the ghost decides to scare the girl who isn't scared at all but decides that he should leave his attic and they can play together.

The art and the story work well. I really enjoyed the art. Great for a spooky (but not too spooky) read for the season.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quiet, sensitive story of being scared of things unknown. An attic ghost and a little girl, both with fears; drawn with a beautiful light and airy touch, a 'ghostly' feel to the, mostly, black and white illustrations. It's a charming story, a lesson learned (the way children's picture books always seem to do), and a closing line that reminds all of us, "And maybe some things that seem scary aren't so scary after all."

[Amber Wessies Owrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short picture book about a ghost who loves being alone until he realizes new things aren't as scary as they seem. A look at how some emotions are fueled by other emotions such as grumpiness could be the result of fear.
The ghost is cute but I didn't like the illustration of the little girl as much.

Thank you Edelweiss, PW Grab-a-Galley, and Floris Press for the eARC.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful! I smiled through the whole book! The Grumpy Ghost likes being alone in his attic. He can swoop all he wants. But then a young girl visits his attic and he gets grumpy about it. But sometimes things that seem scary really aren't. A charming storyline with adorable illustrations. The ghost, particularly, is really cute.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really sweet read with a nice message about friendship. The illustrations were also really nice. A nice not so scary October eve read with my 5 year old. She enjoyed it but I think this one may cater more to under 5 as it’s pretty short. Thank you to the Author and Publisher Spotlight via NetGalley for the eARC!