The Clumsy Ghost and Other Spooky Tales

by Alastair Jessiman

In this entertaining anthology of seven new ghost stories, written especially for Naxos AudioBooks, we meet all kinds of phantoms in different a kind-hearted but accident-prone spectre unwittingly upsetting a family home, as well as ghosts in ancient Egypt, on board a pirate ship, and in a Newcastle swimming pool. Engaging and slightly sinister, The Clumsy Ghost and Other Spooky Tales is a delightful shiver for all the family.

Genres: Audiobook, Juvenile, Short Stories, Fantasy, Childrens, Anthologies, Horror

Audible Audio

First published October 4, 2011

About the author

aka Sarvananda (Alastair Jessiman) was born and educated in Glasgow. In 1987, after being ordained as a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, he moved to Norwich where, over the last twenty years, he has taught classes in Buddhism and meditation.

At present he earns a living by writing and has had ten plays and two comedy series, including Boxer and Doberman, broadcast on BBC Radio. He is also the education officer for the Norwich Buddhist Centre and has a particular interest in meditation.

Sarvananda is author of Meaning in Life: A Buddhist View (2009) and Solitude and Loneliness: A Buddhist View (2012).

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This anthology was pretty good. Some of the stories were particularly well written, and I loved the first one - so funny.

[sam n · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
accidentally read this children's book. sometimes the genre/audience isn't clear on Libby

[Jaide · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are the kind of ghost stories I like—interesting or fun, and spooky without being too terrifying.

-The Clumsy Ghost by Alastair Jessiman:
A ghost wants to be helpful, but his clumsiness accidentally causes terror instead.
-By the Hot Green Water by Anna Britten:
A boy who plays a movie extra at local ancient Roman baths encounters the supernatural.
-Unable to Connect by David Blake:
A girl experiences a mysterious and uncanny connection between her cellphone and critically ill mother.
-The Stillness by Roy McMillan:
Jake runs away to become a cabin boy on a pirate ship but meets a tragic fate.
-The Piper Boy by Edward Ferrie:
Steven is terrified of water and can’t swim, but gets help from a cursed sailor boy of the Napoleonic era.
-The Weeping Tree by Margaret Ferrie:
After young Amy’s family moves into an old house, she learns local folklore about the gnarled tree outside…and gets haunted by a ghost with a tragic past.
-The Book of Imhotep by David Angus:
an ancient Egyptian prince longs for adventure but regrets his wish upon discovering a cursed book.

The Clumsy Ghost and The Weeping Tree were my favorites.

[Ben · Rating 2 out of 5]

This collection of short stories was spooky and tolerable. I understand after finishing it that I am not the correct audience for this book. These stories are not very detailed, and clearly targeted for children. That being said, some of them genuinely scared me. There were some very well written parts in these stories. For example, "Three months later, he was licking his cracked and bleeding lips under a sun that seemed to turn the air into a hot sticky liquid" (Jessiman 1:03:50). This quote shows an example of the incredible language the authors use throughout the story. I would say that the scene illustration was my favorite part of the book, strictly because it always gave an eerie feeling while still describing many different scenes. I think my favorite story was By the Hot Green Water due to its mystery and realization at the end.

[Río · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who doesn't tend to engage with scary stories, I enjoyed reading these tales

Prior to this I had only really heard campfire stories, which tend to be more short and abrupt. I liked how these stories were longer and thus allowed time to invest in the story

I had that low level of tension, the anticipation of "what's gonna be the twist?" while also enjoying the worlds the authors unwrap. I was able to enjoy the scary because the overall chill tone kept it from getting to too much

if you like scary books, will you like this one? I don't know. But if you want to read a book and feel like trying a light dose of suspense, these stories are an easy and fairly enjoyable read

[Narules · Rating 3 out of 5]

All except one story could have been set in a UK village anywhere from the 1930s to 1950s. Unable to Connect had a more modern take, simply due to the technology mentioned. All the children seemed to be from upper class backgrounds.

Older children will like these spooky ghost tales, which are not vulgar but there is death and dying. They might also need explanations for historical concepts related to the ghosts’ time periods.

[Sandra L. Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to an audiobook version of these short stories (I think it’s only in audiobook form). On a long road trip, I found this little gem while searching for something family friendly. My grandson is 10 and he loved the first half of it. Then, it switched to a reader he didn’t like. I. Continued to listen off and on, and I’m glad I did. Nice little spooky stories that are well written and worthy of a listen. You should find out too.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun collection of ghost stories suitable for children. The readers read them quite well! They are not too spooky for elementary-school children. One was supposedly set in Newcastle, England.

[Mortisha Cassavetes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spooky anthology of seven ghostly stories. I just loved them! They are great for all ages. I really enjoyed the Clumsy Ghost story. This is an amazing read for the Autumn/Halloween season. I highly recommend it.

[Solomon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little bit more spooky then I was expecting.

[alli · Rating 3 out of 5]

a cute ghost story collection for children 8+.

3 stars.

[Danica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of these were really interesting. I especially liked the one at the Roman baths.

[Dawn Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a collection of cute little ghost stories told by the ghost. I enjoyed it.

[Wendgard11 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun stories but predictable

[Anna Grimm · Rating 2 out of 5]

First story was the best in this collection.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great stories for preteens. The second one was deliciously spooky.

[A. Mantonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clumsy ghost was adorable

The piper boy- so sweet.

I didn’t know until this book that I really like happy ghost stories!

[WhatShouldIRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice collection of ghost stories for children, enhanced with music and sound effects and different narrators. Most had happily-ever-after endings - if that is possible for a ghost - and I found one would probably be truly spooky for a young child. But I enjoyed it!

The selection of stories includes all kinds of phantoms in different situations: a kind-hearted but accident prone specter unwittingly upsetting a family home; ghosts in Ancient Egypt, on board a pirate ship, in the making of a television film and in a Newcastle swimming pool.

Recommended, especially closer to Halloween or listened to around a campfire, for a wonderfully ghostly experience.

[Tressa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest in The Clumsy Ghost and Other Spooky Tales. I did not finish listening to the audiobook.