The Ghostly Carousel: Delightfully Frightful Poems

by Calef Brown

A zombie family reunion, a "Jekyll lantern," a giggling undertaker, a telekinetic warlock . . . are you scared yet? Sure to induce shrieks and giggles in equal measure, Calef Brown's poems present a wonderfully creepy cast of characters. Richly detailed paintings add to the frightful fun! "Employing clever puns and unexpected end rhyme, Brown creates as engaging an aural experience as a visual one. . . . [E]mboldens young readers to find fun in things that go bump in the night."― Kirkus Reviews

"[W]ickedly humorous and gently eerie."― Publishers Weekly

"A highly recommended purchase for Brown fans and those who relish poems that go bump in the night."― School Library Journal

"[A]n imaginative exercise perfect for the Halloween season."― The Horn Book Magazine

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Halloween, Holiday, Nonfiction, Humor, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

Published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ordered this from the library for the Halloween season and it just now came in to read. Not very prompt. (this was last December and I held the review.) I don’t know if it was a slow publisher or the library getting it ready for the public.

These are 1 to 2 page poems on ghouls, and ghostly subjects. The poetry is delightful with some great word play and the artwork is wonderful. I love the barracuda on the Merry-go-round.

The nephew loved this book of monsters. He enjoyed all the different stories. The niece enjoyed the rhymes and the words. She is really getting into words at the moment. They both gave it 4 stars. These are some great little poems for Halloween. I recommend it for any monster lovers out there.

[H.R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Art was far better than the poems.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a collection of scary poems written in various forms. The illustrations really add to the poetry. I can see this book making a great read aloud at Hallowe'en time. I would probably not read this to young children as it could be a bit scary for them, but primary and up would be okay. Because of the various types of poems, this book could also be used to model various styles and introduce a poetry reading or writing unit. A good addition for a school or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my four kids-- aged 5 - 15. Every one of them got a kick out of it. I'll definitely add it to our halloween seasonal book collection. I know Calef has several poetry books out, and I always think they look so interesting but this is the first one I've read through. It won't be the last. Mr. Brown is hilarious, his art is fun, and his poetry is exceptional. No boring ABAB etc for him. Fabulous vocabulary, half rhyme, slant rhyme, etc. Very satisfying and clever read.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is possibly trying to compete with Halloween ABC. There are one or two poems per double page spread, heavily illustrated with pictures depicting the poem. These illustrations, I think, are slightly more cartoony than Lane Smith's in Halloween ABC. Just the right amount of spooky for sensitive children.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author and Illustrator Calef Brown takes us on a Halloween Poem Ride.
From a Spooky Carousel of Live Animals, a Boat of Murderous Birds, a Giggling Undertaking,
to International Traditions like Mischievous Dancing Green Men from Ireland, to classic characters of literary and mythological Horror like Dr. Jekyll and Medusa,
here are a plethora of spooky (but not to spooky) stories to delight, cause laughs and bring up discussion topics of international traditions, facing ones' fears and frightful stories.

The illustrations are whimsical and cartoonish in their appearance and though none are "scary or gross", they can still instill just the tiniest bit of fear.

[karenbee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the illustrations but the poems were not my jam; I couldn't get them to flow satisfactorily, even if I read them out loud. May be a shortcoming on my part as I am not a Poetry Genius.


(two and a half stars)

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expect the unexpected is sound advice when diving into one of Calef Brown's delightfully offbeat collections. There are two things Calef Brown likes a whole lot: musical language and serious nonsense, and it's obvious that he excels in both. His poems are meant to be read aloud, and it is only in so doing that you will truly experience the musicality and improvisation that go into his whimsical wanderings. The childlike perspective of both his words and illustrations make for a playful experience of pure enjoyment.

True to his distinctive style, readers of all ages will find THE GHOSTLY CAROUSEL inventive, zany, and freewheeling. Featuring 17 poems on mostly double-page spreads, a macabre assortment of not-your-garden-variety witches, warlocks, ghosts, zombies, a "Jekyll Lantern," Medusa, and even "Creeping Crud" come to life with eerie narratives, wicked humor, compelling illustrations, and a healthy dose of ewww! (Insect pie, anyone? Cannibal fondue?) The Ghostly Carousel is perfect for Halloween, of course, but for many young readers, creepy humor laced with silliness is satisfying at any time of year.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghostly Carousel: Delightfully Frightful Poems by Calef Brown. PICTURE BOOK. Carolrhoda Books (Lerner), 2018. $18. 9781512426618

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

This is a collection of seventeen poems, all a bit spooky. The title poem is about a man who finds himself wandering around a carnival alone in the dark and coming across a ghost carousel. Another poem is about a jack-o-lantern that comes to life. One is about canaries that are angry because they have been locked up for too long and cause storms on the sea.

The poems are all a little creepy, but not prohibitively scary. Each poem has a full illustrations that are effective at adding to and conveying the tone of poetry. This collection would be fun to read aloud during the Halloween season.

Jen Wecker, HS English Teacher
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween is Wednesday, time to share a brand new poetry book with spooky and funny poems that are just right for reading aloud if you want a lot of "belly laughs" and "ews" from the listeners. There is that title poem, a daydream with a haunting tune and all those ghostly animals on this carousel. And there is Medusa and The Jekyll Lantern, each poem darkly illustrated with all the creepy things you want for Halloween. I laughed especially at Joel the zombie, like all children, who needed to escape a family reunion. That final verse, "Your aunties are here! With goodies" they cheer./"Scorpions,/leeches,/and slugs!" brings laughs immediately as Joel (in the picture) burrows into a hole. My favorite, however, is Insect Pie, especially silly because of all the parts about cheese! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of sinister poems to enhance your Halloween spirit. A favorite is "The Jekyll Pumpkin" followed closely by "The Creeping Crud". Each poem is illustrated and each is both chilling and fun--just the right combination for young poetry lovers and older poetry fans as well. Expect a bit of a shiver.

This book is a good introduction to rhyme and poetry with various meters and schemes. It is also a perfect book for Halloween reading with poems themed for monsters and pumpkins and zombies and more. The fright never ends from text to pictures and from page to page. The illustrations match the poetry in combining humor and scare. Enjoy some poetry with scare flare!

More reviews are available at http://byucbmr.com/

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghostly rhyming fun, with wonderfully creepy illustrations by the author.



My favorite?

Cannibal Q & A

Q:
Why are cannibals
so fond of fondue?

A:
Dipping fingers in cheese
is so fun to do!

[Jj · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Not one of Calef Brown's best, I'm sorry to say. The poems just didn't go so well and the whole thing was disappointing. BUT the vocabulary is, as ever, stellar, so I'd still have fun with this in a classroom or program full of kids.

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great collection of short poems for young readers who love Halloween and all things creepy.

[Megan Wilks]

This is a book full of all different poems about all different "frightful things." The poems range from being a couple pages long to being a couple of lines. There are poems about Medusa or poems about Ghost's riding a carousel. I think upper elementary ages would enjoy reading this because it has a scary element to it but lower elementary ages could enjoy this book around Halloween.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of spooky poems was fun to read. The illustrations were whimsical and bright. I enjoyed that the poems related to other literature based books and mythology; Shakespeare, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Medusa, and Leprechauns.

[Lorie LovesBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this because it had a carousel in it. Most of the poems were fun and playful and spooky. Unfortunately a few of the poems were gross, and I see how some children would like that but it made me nauseous.

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just didn't like this one. I didn't like the poems. I didn't like the creepiness. I didn't even like the illustrations. I don't know why this kind of stuff has to be in a children's book. They don't need horror books.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun poetry collection for Halloween.

[Stardust Priestess]

Such a cute children's book. I read this for a bingo space for library bingo.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of spooky-themed poems, with bold, delightful illustrations, is perfect for the Halloween season.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of spooky poems. It would be great for the Halloween season.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read aloud.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ghostly Carousel by Calef Brown - If your little reader likes a little spooky in their Halloween, this was the right level in my opinion! Happy Hallow Reading!

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book of spooky poems for kids. I could use one or two as storytime interludes. Favorites include "Coven Tots", "The Jekyll Lantern", "Warlocks", and "Canary Canoe" (genuinely creepy, that last one).
Edited after storytime: Used these poems as filler for my October storytimes in 2019 and they were a hit. The kids liked the pictures exceedingly. Will definitely use again.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

These poems are really cute! This book would be great to read around Halloween. The illustrations add great detail to the poems and the poems are simple enough that children will understand them. This would also be a great book to help teach children about poetry.