Ghost Wings

by Barbara M. Joosse and Giselle Potter

Book Overview

Set in Mexico amidst the monarch butterflies' annual migration and during the Days of the Dead, "Ghost Wings," written by Barbara M. Joosse, author of the best-selling "Mama, Do You Love Me?," and illustrated with the luminescent artwork of Giselle Potter, is the touching story of a little girl whose very best friend is her grandmother. But one spring, Grandmother becomes thin as smoke. When she dies, Papa says, "When you love someone they never really...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811821641
• ISBN13: 9780811821643
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.13 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.4" x 10.0"
• Age Range: 3 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Remembering Grandmother

I stumbled upon Ghost Wings at the public library a week after the death of my mother-in-law. I was trying to find a book that would help my four-year-old deal with the loss. Ghost Wings is an amazing book. Its illustrations are gorgeous, but it is the story that captures the essence of a child's confusion and pain. It also deals with the acceptance stage of the grieving process. Although we aren't there yet, this magical story has made it possible for my daughter to understand that her grandma will never truly be gone, that "the old ones" are never far away. Every time we see a butterfly, monarch or otherwise, we are reminded of the spirits of those we have lost.

Beautiful story and illustrations

This book takes the reader into the beautiful world of Mexican culture through a sweet story and amazing illustrations. I read Ghost Wings to a first grade art class and they really enjoyed learning about Los Dias de los Muertos and how the little girl in the story participated in the festivities. The full page illustrations perfectly bring the poetic story to life. At the end of the book there are some interesting projects and ideas that can be done with children. There is also a helpful explaination section, full of details about the Day of the Dead holiday and Mexican culture. I think every children's library should have a copy of this book.