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leafhead's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
An exciting children’s book about a girl and a skull and their unlikely friendship.
This was one of the books from 2023 I really REALLY needed to read. I just LOVE Jon Klassen’s work, his art, his stories, and so this was high on the list. I am so happy I could finally read it!
In this book, split into 5 parts, we meet a little girl named Otilla who has run away from home. We don’t exactly find out why, but given the finally part I would say that life wasn’t the best for her in the town/with her family. I was eager to see how her journey would go through the forest and when she would meet the skull! Well, that happens quite soon, she stumbles upon a gorgeous mansion, a mansion that has a voice calling for her. I can just tell you that I may have been curious if I was Otilla, but I would probably have run away instead, haha. I am sorry. Disembodied voices that know your name? Red flag for me. But I am happy that Otilla dared to go and also accepted the offer of the skull. And seriously? I just wanted to step into the story at this point and see the mansion myself. I am happy with the GORGEOUS illustrations by Jon Klassen but I just wanted to actually be there.
I loved seeing Otilla and the Skull get closer with each new room, each new thing. It was really sweet. Yes, maybe a bit weird, but I will take weird. I was just happy that both found someone. Otilla clearly hasn’t had the easiest time, and well, a skull rolling through a big house + being alone and oh yes, a skeleton is also around? Also not really had the best record with happiness.
And things were already a bit spooky for me (something just felt off throughout the book so I was on my guard), but when the skeleton popped and stalked our duo? That was terrifying. I was just hoping that Otilla had made a fantastic plan or had some idea how to stop the skeleton because that is one determined skeleton. I guess, I can somehow understand the skeleton though, all he wants is a head, um skull.
What happens next with the skeleton? BOY, I did NOT expect that one. That is pretty drastic. I was like, wait, wait, do you need to get more information? You are just going to do that? WHUTTTT?
The ending was a sweet one though. It made me smile!
The illustrations were, once again and as expected, totally awesome and I so love them.
I would also recommend reading the author’s note + the interviews online, Jon Klassen tells how he came upon this story and changed it bit by bit, especially the ending. I really loved finding out what the original ending entailed and I have to say, yes, this ending is much better!
I would highly recommend this spooky/haunting, but also pretty/awesome story to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This was one of the books from 2023 I really REALLY needed to read. I just LOVE Jon Klassen’s work, his art, his stories, and so this was high on the list. I am so happy I could finally read it!
In this book, split into 5 parts, we meet a little girl named Otilla who has run away from home. We don’t exactly find out why, but given the finally part I would say that life wasn’t the best for her in the town/with her family. I was eager to see how her journey would go through the forest and when she would meet the skull! Well, that happens quite soon, she stumbles upon a gorgeous mansion, a mansion that has a voice calling for her. I can just tell you that I may have been curious if I was Otilla, but I would probably have run away instead, haha. I am sorry. Disembodied voices that know your name? Red flag for me. But I am happy that Otilla dared to go and also accepted the offer of the skull. And seriously? I just wanted to step into the story at this point and see the mansion myself. I am happy with the GORGEOUS illustrations by Jon Klassen but I just wanted to actually be there.
I loved seeing Otilla and the Skull get closer with each new room, each new thing. It was really sweet. Yes, maybe a bit weird, but I will take weird. I was just happy that both found someone. Otilla clearly hasn’t had the easiest time, and well, a skull rolling through a big house + being alone and oh yes, a skeleton is also around? Also not really had the best record with happiness.
And things were already a bit spooky for me (something just felt off throughout the book so I was on my guard), but when the skeleton popped and stalked our duo? That was terrifying. I was just hoping that Otilla had made a fantastic plan or had some idea how to stop the skeleton because that is one determined skeleton. I guess, I can somehow understand the skeleton though, all he wants is a head, um skull.
What happens next with the skeleton? BOY, I did NOT expect that one. That is pretty drastic. I was like, wait, wait, do you need to get more information? You are just going to do that? WHUTTTT?
The ending was a sweet one though. It made me smile!
The illustrations were, once again and as expected, totally awesome and I so love them.
I would also recommend reading the author’s note + the interviews online, Jon Klassen tells how he came upon this story and changed it bit by bit, especially the ending. I really loved finding out what the original ending entailed and I have to say, yes, this ending is much better!
I would highly recommend this spooky/haunting, but also pretty/awesome story to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
smckat's review
4.0
I was a bit confused at the beginning. It kinda reminded me of beauty and the beast but not. And then the ending took me by surprise and I was uber shocked. I wonder if this is how my dnd group sees my character.
Wish it was a little longer.
Wish it was a little longer.
dogswithnogs's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
venus6277's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
nancyazc's review against another edition
5.0
Oh how I wish to read this to the children in my life and make traditions out of it
sillycreature's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is unironically the most invested I've been in any story in a long time. I never thought I'd find a "horror" story for ages 6+ to be an emotional roller-coaster, but here I am. Every page I turned made me go from "damn, what's gonna happen next??" to "OH MY GOD RUN" to "THESE TWO ARE SO WHOLESOME I'M GONNA DIE" to "HOLY COW THAT GIRL IS SAVAGE" - and I'm not even ashamed of it. Thank you, Jon Klassen. These two live in my head rent-ree now, six months after I read this.
My absolute favorite part was whenshe gave the skull a bite of pear & when she took the skull out on a sled for a walk in the woods & when they danced together in the ballroom, SO FREAKING CUTE. I cried. Thank you for coming to my TedTalk.
My absolute favorite part was when
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
A Tyrolean folktale as only Jon Klassen could spin it. Deadpan creepiness with illustrations that are just perfection, and that extend the story beyond the words on the page. Not too scary for a younger audience, but plenty of appeal for older kids (and adults). His note at the end is worth the read.
bookgirl1209's review against another edition
5.0
Love this, love Jon Klassen.
This is a perfect scary-but-not-scary story, can be easily adapted to a read aloud and is enjoyable for adults doing the reading as well.
This is a perfect scary-but-not-scary story, can be easily adapted to a read aloud and is enjoyable for adults doing the reading as well.