Guthrie and Annie, two sight-seeing ghosts on Halloween night, attempt to find some truly spooky sites and experiences in this glow-in-the-dark picture-book. From horror movies at the cinema to a haunted house on the outskirts of town, a bat-infested cave in the nearby woods to a scaly lizard-monster under the bridge, the spectral pair sees quite a lot. But it isn't until they encounter two trick-or-treaters and follow them to a Halloween party, that they find what they are truly seeking...

Published in 1992, A Very Scary Ghost Story is one of four Halloween-themed glow-in-the-dark picture-books from author/illustrator team Joanne Barkan and Jody Wheeler—the other titles include A Very Scary Witch Story, A Very Scary Jack-o-Lantern and A Very Scary Haunted House—and pairs an engaging story with fun, colorful artwork. I liked the conceit of two ghosts abroad, looking to be scared themselves, rather than to scare other, while the conclusion of the story, in which human children end up being the scariest thing of all, was amusing. An entertaining little tale for Halloween, one I would recommend to picture-books readers looking for moderately spooky fare. ( )

I think this is the best of the this series (I think there are four). Two little ghosts come to town on Halloween seeking a little spookiness. However, time after time they are disappointed - apparently they are not frightened of bats, skeletons, witches, or the like. Finally on the way home, they run into a cowby and ballerina - trick or treaters - on their way to a Halloween party. Now this is just the kind of fright the ghosts were looking for! Wonderful glow in the dark pictures. My son makes me read this over and over - even when it's not Halloween. ( )