Spooky - by Sally Anne Garland (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

When a family moves into a big, old house, it feels strange and unfamiliar to the kids - a bit spooky even! They soon discover a black cat is already living there, and it is spooked by the new owners. As they unpack and settle into their new home, the family decides to not disturb the cat and to pretend that they don't see it padding around from room to room. Will the family and their spooky housemate ever feel at home? This story about life changes and being patient in new situations is perfect year round, and especially at Halloween.

Praise for Sally Anne Garland's books:
Nook
"A sensitive character study with feelings that run deep."
‒Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The Moon Seed
"A quietly spectacular picture book, reimagining the journey of
a seed aboard Apollo 14."
‒The Guardian

The Chalk Garden
"A lush, joyful picture book, full of growth, colour and creativity."
‒The Guardian

Review Quotes

K-Gr 3-When a multiracial family moves into an old, creaky house, strange things begin to happen-flickers of movement, clattering spoons, and shadows that are just out of reach. Readers are invited to infer the identity of the "spooky" presence as subtle visual clues lead to a heartwarming reveal: a scared and curious cat has been hiding under the stairs. Told with gentle humor and warmth, this story turns the haunted house trope on its head with a shift in perspective: it's the family who has been spooking the cat. As they patiently create a safe, cozy space for their new housemate, the story becomes one of mutual trust and belonging. Garland's illustrations are gorgeous and atmospheric with textured pencil and digital shading that create depth and warmth. Dreamy, soft-focus panels and emotionally expressive characters add nuance, while gentle contrasts in light and shadow build a mysterious, but never frightening, tone. This is a story about empathy, comfort, and adjusting to new beginnings. Educators can use this title to support prediction and inferencing skills, as the text invites close reading of both words and images to uncover the story's central mystery. -VERDICT A beautifully illustrated, tenderly told story for fall reading or any unit on empathy and inference. Highly -recommended.
-Christina Salazar

-- "https: //www.slj.com/review/spooky" (6/6/2025 12:00:00 AM)

About the Author

Sally Anne Garland grew up in a small town called Alness in the Highlands of Scotland. According to her parents, her first really good drawing, at the age of four, was a large mural in crayon on the sitting-room wall. She went on to study Illustration and Graphic Design at Edinburgh College of Art before settling in Glasgow, where she lives with her partner and their son. When she's not drawing or writing stories, she has fun reading books, watching movies, and going on walks.