
Reach for this book when your child feels like their concerns are being dismissed or when they are struggling with things that go bump in the night. It is a masterful tool for validating a child's intuition, especially when they feel like the only person in the room who sees a coming problem. While the title sounds like a traditional ghost story, it is actually a witty and empowering tale about a young girl named Lucy who must reclaim her home after her family's fears literally come to life. The story balances spooky atmosphere with absurdist humor, making it a perfect bridge for children aged 5 to 10 who enjoy a bit of a thrill but need a satisfying, triumphant ending. By depicting a family that initially ignores Lucy's warnings, the book opens the door for parents to discuss the importance of listening, bravery, and the fact that even when things seem scary, we have the agency to change our circumstances. It turns the classic monster-under-the-bed trope on its head, showing that sometimes the monsters are just as afraid of us.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe family is forced to flee their home and sleep in the cold garden temporarily.
The book deals with household fears and being ignored by authority figures. The approach is metaphorical and absurdist. The resolution is highly hopeful and empowering, as the child takes the lead in solving the problem.
A 7-year-old who feels like their voice isn't heard in the family dynamic, or a child who enjoys 'creepy' aesthetics but needs a story where the child holds the power.
Dave McKean's illustrations are avant-garde and can be visually intense for very sensitive 5-year-olds. Parents should preview the spreads where the wolves first emerge to ensure they aren't too jarring for their specific child. A parent might reach for this after seeing their child become frustrated because they are trying to communicate a worry that the parent has dismissed as 'just your imagination.'
Younger children (5-6) focus on the scary wolves and the relief of the pig-puppet being saved. Older children (8-10) appreciate the irony of the family's obliviousness and the meta-humor in the wolves' behavior once they move in.
Unlike most monster stories, the monsters here are displaced and frightened by the humans. It shifts the power dynamic from the 'monster' to the child in a way that feels earned rather than magical.
Lucy hears noises in the walls and warns her family that 'if the wolves come out of the walls, it's all over.' Her family ignores her until the wolves actually emerge. The family flees to the garden, but Lucy bravely sneaks back in to rescue her pig-puppet. Ultimately, the family realizes they can't live in the garden forever and they charge back into the house, scaring the wolves away because the wolves are actually terrified of people.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.