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Ghostly Beasts
This collection brings together short stories and poems by one of the greatest childrenâ€s writers. The 15 stories include some of Aikenâ€s 'Humblepuppy', 'Lobâ€s Girl' and 'Crusaderâ€s Toby'. Age 7+
- GenresChildrens
144 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2002
37 people want to read
About the author
Joan Aiken
331 books601 followersJoan Aiken was a much loved English writer who received the MBE for services to Children's Literature. She was known as a writer of wild fantasy, Gothic novels and short stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
She was born in Rye, East Sussex, into a family of writers, including her father, Conrad Aiken (who won a Pulitzer Prize for his poetry), and her sister, Jane Aiken Hodge. She worked for the United Nations Information Office during the second world war, and then as an editor and freelance on Argosy magazine before she started writing full time, mainly children's books and thrillers. For her books she received the Guardian Award (1969) and the Edgar Allan Poe Award (1972).
Her most popular series, the "Wolves Chronicles" which began with The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, was set in an elaborate alternate period of history in a Britain in which James II was never deposed in the Glorious Revolution,and so supporters of the House of Hanover continually plot to overthrow the Stuart Kings. These books also feature cockney urchin heroine Dido Twite and her adventures and travels all over the world.
Another series of children's books about Arabel and her raven Mortimer are illustrated by Quentin Blake, and have been shown on the BBC as Jackanory and drama series. Others including the much loved Necklace of Raindrops and award winning Kingdom Under the Sea are illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski.
Her many novels for adults include several that continue or complement novels by Jane Austen. These include Mansfield Revisited and Jane Fairfax.
Aiken was a lifelong fan of ghost stories. She set her adult supernatural novel The Haunting of Lamb House at Lamb House in Rye (now a National Trust property). This ghost story recounts in fictional form an alleged haunting experienced by two former residents of the house, Henry James and E. F. Benson, both of whom also wrote ghost stories. Aiken's father, Conrad Aiken, also authored a small number of notable ghost stories.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 15, 2024
Beautiful ideas and beautiful pictures. But the text is so so difficult to read and understand :( hardly got through the book till the end.
August 31, 2016
I picked this book up from the library as we were looking for something that my granddaughter and I could read together. We both love ghost stories, animals, short stories and poetry, and Joan Aiken has always had a place in my heart since reading all her books as a child, so picking it really was a no brainer. A wonderful collection of short stories and poems new and old, I am really enjoying the mix.
Having finished the book, I would agree that the 'ghostly beasts' are more compassionate than scary, and I did like some stories better than others. I love Lob (which it would seem is a favourite of Aiken's, being republished), and the last story about Toby the stone dog. And I would love a pair of the glasses in the story about the Louvre, how fabulous?!
A great read for all ages, recommended.
Having finished the book, I would agree that the 'ghostly beasts' are more compassionate than scary, and I did like some stories better than others. I love Lob (which it would seem is a favourite of Aiken's, being republished), and the last story about Toby the stone dog. And I would love a pair of the glasses in the story about the Louvre, how fabulous?!
A great read for all ages, recommended.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews