Feeling Boo

June 17, 2024
Boniello and Lavalle offer an emotionally attuned portrait of how to support a melancholic friend in this pun-filled picture book. When ghost Ollie starts “feeling a bit boo,” fellow spirit and longtime bestie Ellie does everything she can to cheer him: a “specter-tacular night” of activities includes a moonlight serenade with some friends in the graveyard, playing music on an old Victrola, and attempting to frighten passersby. Even after Ellie is left “half dead from the night’s activities,” Ollie’s sadness persists. The well-intentioned friend continues to offer suggestions until at last Ollie gets her attention long enough to entreat, “I don’t think we can outrun these boos.... What if we tried just... sitting here for a bit?” The quietly gladdening result points to the many forms care and support can take. Ages 4–8.

June 1, 2024
Boniello and Lavalle, the Tony-winning producers of Hadestown, tell the story of a ghost attempting to raise her pal's spirits. Besties Ollie and Ellie have haunted their house for centuries. When Ellie calls on Ollie in his "dead-room" so they can play her "grave-orite" game, Ollie tells her he's feeling "a bit boo." Supportive Ellie suggests doing fun activities. They visit old friends at the graveyard, slam the doors, make the furniture float, and play songs on the old-fashioned record player. Nothing's working, Ollie says, but he thanks Ellie for trying. Still, she keeps pushing fruitless ideas. It's nearly morning, and the pair are exhausted. When Ollie finally manages to get a word in edgewise, he offers a suggestion: that they simply sit together--silently. They do. The illustrations depict both pals' faces visibly brightening at sunrise, and Ollie thanks Ellie for the period of hushed reflection, acknowledging that he feels better. Next night, Ollie's ready for ghostly shenanigans again, apparently without a haunt, er, hint, of boo-ness. Peppered with spooky puns, this story reassures readers that we all feel "boo" at times and that companionable silence can work wonders; sometimes, just being there is enough. Children will appreciate this expressive spectral duo's tender friendship. Though Mueller adorns Ollie and Ellie's haunted house with details such as cobwebs and cracked walls, her illustrations have a warm, cozy vibe that's more sweet than scary. Hauntingly good fun. (Picture book. 5-8)

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June 1, 2024

Gr 1-3-In a thoughtful, clever, heartfelt, and sometimes humorous look at mental health, Boniello, Lavalle, and Mueller introduce young readers to Ellie and Ollie-ghosts who have been friends for hundreds of years. They play together every night, but when Ollie wakes up "feeling a bit boo," Ellie feels it is her mission to make him happy again by doing all their usual games and tricks. Ellie convinces her friend to try making shadow puppets, slamming furniture, and more to no avail. Finally Ollie finds the courage to ask Ellie to simply sit together. It is then that Ellie learns sometimes all you need to do is be there for your friend. At times the worthy message gets lost in the language. The story is filled with many turns of phrase that occasionally feel forced and would be challenging for younger kids to comprehend, such as "To begin their specter-tacular night," "Ellie yawned, half dead from the night's activities," and "Maybe not, quoth, for evermore." For adults, they are fun and clever, but will require explaining for littler folks. Mueller's art, however, can be enjoyed by all, with her haunting hues and cute snowman-faced ghosts. The illustrations lend support to the story and context for some of the phrases. VERDICT The important message found between the pages of this book needs to be heard by little ones, and even if they do not completely understand some of the text, perhaps the book is the spark to get their caretakers talking about mental health.-Cassie Veselovsky

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