Ghostbusters: A Paranormal Picture Book

by G.M. Berrow (Adapter), J.M. Kehoe (Adapted by), Forrest Burdett (Illustrations)

Join the Ghostbusters as they fight some ghoulish creatures in this kid-friendly official picture book adaptation of the classic film

Setting: New York City. Kid scientists Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spengler are investigating ghosts and other paranormal activity in the city. They see their first ghost (Slimer) in the NYC Public Library and that leads them to create the Ghostbusters, setting up their "club" in an old firehouse. Soon, business is booming as the kids are recruited to capture ghosts throughout the city. Winston Zeddemore and Janine Melnitz become the club’s first two important additions. But there is something sinister happening at an apartment building and the Ghostbusters must put a stop to it (and the Stay Puft marshmallow man) before the city is overrun with ghouls.
 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Pop Culture, Media Tie In

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2021

About the author

Gillian M. Berrow (G.M. Berrow) is a writer and television industry professional living in Brooklyn, New York. When she was little, she aspired to become either a princess or a magical pony. Things seem to be right on schedule.

Reviews

[Angel (Bookn.All.Night) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK I am seriously digging these movies from my childhood/teen years that are being turned into children's books. I am going to snag them ALL 😂😂

This week it's Who Ya Gonna Call? ... GHOSTBUSTERS!

I LOVE how they turned this into the guys being kids at an academy with an after school club - Ghostbusters. Janine later joins and of course has her sass from the movie.

We get to see the gang go up against the library ghost, Slimer and yes my FAVORITE .. Mr. Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.💗💗💗

Amazing how such a little book can bring back such fond memories.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Ghostbusters: A Paranormal Picture Book, adapted by G. M. Berrow and J. M. Kehoe, and illustrated by Forrest Burdett.

At Weaver Hall Elementary, there is one club that is not like the others – the Ghostbusters! Ray, Egon, Peter and Winston are passionate about the paranormal, and love spending their time studying and fighting specters and ghouls. Soon, pal Janine joins their crew, and they’re helping friends like Louis and Dana deal with their paranormal problems, all while Walter and Principal Jaeger try to shut them down. But we all know how this story ends, and when a massive marshmallow man appears, well… who you gonna call?

Delightful. Fans of the classic 1984 Ghostbusters will definitely enjoy this kid-ified picture book version of the film, complete with repurposed and paraphrased quotes, familiar story beats and characters, and a some delightful visual Easter eggs. The character of Janine is bumped up to have a more active and central role, which gives the original lineup some much-needed female representation (though Dana is confusingly relegated to non-speaking side character status). The climax with the Stay Puft man is also surprisingly brief, and makes the story’s ending feel a little abrupt. But overall, this is a fun way to revisit a familiar and well-loved story in a family-friendly and child-centric way. The length is perfect for a quick storytime, and JJ absolutely loved this one. A must-read for fans of the original movie, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect 5/5 stars. Because it's Ghostbusters
Okay, the artwork is actually super cute. It does make some changes to the story for sake of ease. I love that Winston is included the whole time and Janine takes a bigger role. To keep it close to your typical picture book length, it does do a few weird things with the story so sometimes it has strange jumps.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute, if rather disjointed, retelling of the "Ghostbusters" movie, recasting it with kids in an afterschool ghostbusting club. It's a kid-friendly take on a movie that, despite the nostalgia it generates, contains some content that may not be the most appropriate for the youngest viewers. This lets the tots in on the fun without those elements.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are beautiful, and my son who is currently obsessed with the movies enjoyed the book. The only thing I wish it had was a more cohesive story, it just jumps from one thing to another.

[Jocelin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a fan of the original Ghostbusters, you will like this picture book. Unlike tithe Little Golden book version, this one puts a cute creative spin on the movie. They move the crew to elementary school. All the characters are there, just in kid form. Great picture story time read.

[Tara Engel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this amazing picture book, a blast from my past. This features wonderful illustration of the Ghostbusters as children and some favorite characters of Slimer and the Marshmallow man. What fun to share this with a new generation!

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

So my son and I read a lot of books together. He's also a huge Ghostbusters fan. Did I mentions he's only four? Clearly we are doing something right in the parenting department! Anyway, we enjoyed this book thoroughly.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I'd checked out some children's books in an attempt to hit my 200-book goal for 2023, and... well, I'm not going to just NOT read them.*

Clever how they adjusted the movie to kids in a school. A really charming read that would be perfect for any young Ghostbusters fan.

[McGraw11 · Rating 1 out of 5]

10% effort and some ghostbusters quotes?

This story is clunky and nonlinear. My 4 year old will listen to anything ghostbusters but his rambling stories about these characters are better conceived.

[Ashley Beery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been cuter if they stuck the movie. Instead they turned the movie into a super kid friendly it all happens at school event…good for kids but not how the story goes.

[China · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very funny version of younger versions of the ghostbusters

[DonutKnow · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit fun, but not too much substance…

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute picture book.

[Ashley Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Philomena's review "the marshmellow man is so cute"

[Meliss · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son likes it. I like the illustrations, but the story seems really disjointed. I thought I skipped a page at one point.

[Sassygirl87 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute version. The ghostbuster's picture book really is a wonderful addition to the series.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this to my son. It was cute. But it felt odd with the lines and situations molded to a kids book. It was clever to make it school wide rather than city wide. Overall, a fun neat little bike.

[Brooke Rakestraw · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s cute. The ghostbusters are kids and have a club so it is brought down to a kids level. Quick and easy read

[Codey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of weird. It’s like the movie but if they made it with kids and rated G. The illustrations were good and it was a good kids book. Checked it out from the library and read it to my 7yr old daughter. Her dad’s a huge fan of the Ghostbusters movies so I’m sure she has seen them with him at some point. She was pointing out how they left out some of the darker elements from the movie.

[Denise {børnelitteraturformidler} · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nu har jeg ikke set filmen, men kan sige så meget: hvem end der har fundet på den her historie, har røget noget seriøst underligt