Boo! I Scared You.

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt
Written by Riel Nason & Illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler
Age Level: 3-7 Years
Published September 1, 2020

Cool costume, where’d you get it?

Growing up in Ohio, it snowed every single Halloween. Throughout October, I’d daydream about my costume, only to cover it up with a parka when it came time to trick-or-treat. And maybe one year, when I was too little to remember, I was lucky enough to be wrapped up in a quilt… that was actually a ghost.

Ghosts are supposed to be made of sheets. Not only for the sake of tradition, but because sheets are the most functional material for being a ghost. They’re lightweight for flying, airy for keeping cool while zooming around, and billowy for aesthetic purposes. But once there was a ghost who was a quilt.

“The little ghost didn’t like being different.
His mom told him he had an ancestor who was a checkered tablecloth. And his great-grandmother was an elegant lace curtain.”

The only time the ghost was happy was on Halloween. He liked seeing humans dressed up as ghosts for trick-or-treating. So on Halloween night, he decides to drape himself over a porch chair so he’s close to the action. Midway up the front lawn, he hears people coming and makes an emergency landing on the porch railing instead.

A ballerina approaches the front door with her mother, and while she accepts her candy the grownups have a quick exchange. The next thing he knows, the ghost is swept off the railing and bundled around the little girl! At first he is terrified, but quickly grows delighted as he hugs her close, keeping her warm. Realizing that his difference uniquely singled him out for this wonderful moment of connection, the ghost is now thrilled to be a quilt. And you’ll feel cozy and warm too, buoyed by his newfound happiness.