Ghosts and Ghouls

Ondrej Navratil is a teacher. As a graduate in art history, history and art, he is close to books, especially those that transport us to the distant and more recent past or introduce us to works of early or modern art. Sometimes he even illustrates a book. He doesn’t always sit at a desk, however. He likes to go into the countryside, where he draws energy from nature. This explains his interest in environmental topics, which he also writes about. He resides in the Czech Republic.Martin Sojdr, a graduate in animated film from the Department of Art in Ostrava, has worked as a freelance graphic artist and illustrator for the past nine years. His work focuses mainly on folklore and ornamentation from other European countries, Russia and South America, as well as his native Moravian Slovakia. He is one half of the duo Puk-Puk, creators of graphic art, illustrations, T-shirt designs, paintings, VJing and installations. In addition to their graphic design and illustration work, they co-organize club parties under the name Bassta Fidli.

"PreS-Gr 1–Enter, if you dare, a haunted castle filled with gruesome beasties, fantastical creatures, and paranormal specters roaming the corridors and grounds. This intricately die cut board book boasts a cornucopia of creatures that greet readers as they traverse the scenes from left to right. The cross-section illustrations are layered with peekaboo holes, elaborate pathways, and expository text, which all work seamlessly together to create an immersive video gameplay feel. Navratil combines unusual ghouls, such as basilisks and wood nymphs, with a sophisticated vocabulary, such as lope and crones, creating a narrative that suits an early elementary crowd. Sojdr’s spooky vistas have just the right balance of creepy and cute for entry level thrill-seekers. There is even a how-to guide in the back for those looking to create some scares of their own. The only snafu is that the book’s board book format and intended audience of late preschool to early elementary are not a perfect match. VERDICT: Destined to be a favorite among spooky season enthusiasts young and old. A recommended purchase." —School Library Journal