Welcome to Perfect Picture Book Friday!
I have such a wonderful book to share with you today! I can’t wait for you to see it!
But first, I am delighted to announce the winner of Natasha Yim’s giveaway of a copy of LUNA AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING MOONCAKES from last week.
And the winner is. . .
JILANNE HOFFMAN!!!
Congratulations, Jilanne! I think you will really enjoy the book! Please email me so I can arrange getting it in the mail to you!
And guess what? There is also a giveaway this week! One lucky person will win a copy of today’s Perfect Picture Book, GILBERT AND THE GHOST (US addresses only, please.) All you have to do to get yourself in the running for the random drawing is leave a comment on today’s post by Thursday September 18 at 3PM Eastern! If you’d also like to help Heather out by sharing on social media or leaving a review of her book if you read it, I know she would appreciate that!
Now! Are you ready for a wonderful story? 😊
Title: Gilbert And The Ghost
Written By: Heather Pierce Stigall
Illustrated By: Jess Mason
Publisher: Beaming Books (August 19, 2025), fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: SEL, friendship, believing, perseverance/determination, patience, kindness, shyness, standing up for yourself
text copyright Heather Stigall 2025, illustration copyright Jess Mason 2025, Beaming Books
Opening: “Gilbert believed in ghosts. Especially the one at 632 Savannah Street.”
illustration copyright Jess Mason 2025, Beaming Books
Brief Synopsis: The ghost at 632 Savannah Street is real . . . right? Gilbert often feels invisible, just like the ghost living at 632 Savannah Street. Despite his family’s disbelief, Gilbert leaves gifts for the ghost: a friendship bracelet, a plate of cookies, even a drawing with a note. When each disappears one by one, Gilbert finds that believing and friendship are worth the effort.
illustration copyright Jess Mason 2025, Beaming Books
Links To Resources: My daughter, an elementary and middle school teacher, created a comprehensive educator’s guide to the book which is available on both the Books and Resources pages of my website HeatherPierceStigall.com. It includes discussion questions, activities, and resources to integrate Gilbert and the Ghost into the English Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science curricula, as well as support Social Emotional Learning.
illustration copyright Jess Mason 2025, Beaming Books
Why I Like This Book:I venture to guess that most kids have had at least a moment at some point when they felt shy, unseen, lonely. Gilbert is just such a child, and the text does a wonderful job of making us feel his sense of invisibility, from classmates and teachers not noticing when he disappears, to his own family who interacts with him on a surface level but fails to see and understand the depth of the emotion driving him. The art perfectly complements the story, showing Gilbert’s thoughtfulness and kindness as does his best to befriend a ghost who he senses needs a friend as much as he does. Though Gilbert is sure the ghost is receiving his gifts, he can’t seem to meet him. I don’t want to give away the ending – it’s so sweet! So you will have to go read this book yourself! 😊 But it is sure to be a winner on any bookshelf – personal, classroom, or library!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific blog links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
And remember, your comment on today’s post puts you in the running to be the randomly selected winner of Heather’s beautiful book! (US addresses only, please.) Just leave it by Thursday September 18 at 3PM Eastern!
Happy Weekend!
Heather Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in Child Development, Psychology-based Human Relations, and Social Work to create stories that speak to kids. She is the author of the picture books GILBERT AND THE GHOST and PAISLEY’S BIG BIRTHDAY. You can connect with Heather at www.HeatherPierceStigall.com.
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love the 18-page Educator Guide that is packed with wonderful activities. Gilbert is adorable and I am curious to find out how it ends. The illustrations are grand. While it is kid-relatable, it is also adult-relatable. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
The Educator Guide is great, isn’t it, Robin?! I hope you read the book to see how it ends – so sweet! And you’re right – relatable for kids AND adults! 🙂
I’m glad you like the ed. guide. It’s very convenient having a daughter who is a teacher;) I hope you enjoy the book!
Heather
I love this premise and the opening hooks me immediately.
It is an inspired idea for a book, beautifully executed. I hope you get to read it!
Thanks!
Heather
Yes, what a wonderful idea for your book! And, the illustrations are beautiful!
Aren’t they lovely, Barbara?! Just right for this story!
I lucked out when Beaming Books chose Jess as illustrator! She has the perfect style for a mysterious picture book!
Heather
I can’t wait to read this book! What a sweet premise that everyone can identify with at some point. Thank you for sharing it.
My pleasure, Kim! I thank Heather for writing it 🙂 It’s a lovely story!
I hope you enjoy it!
Heather
This book has captivated me since I first saw it. I think it would have been the book I would have cherished as a child. I can’t wait to have it in my hands so I can read it!
I know exactly what you mean, Carolyn! It’s a book so many kids will relate to and find meaningful! I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it!
Aw! That’s so great to hear! I hope you like it.
Heather
This book is important on so many levels – it will not get set aside as a “Halloween” book. In a lovely and great read-aloud story, there is a deep message of being seen. I hope older grades spend time studying it.
I agree, Robin. And honestly, it really doesn’t feel like a Halloween book. Yes, it takes place in autumn and has a ghost in it, but it’s not Halloween-y. It has so many more layers!
Thanks, Robin! I agree – autumn vibes, but not Halloween-y and perfect year-round!
Heather
What a wonderful idea for a book! I would have loved this book as a child and want to read it even now!
It is lovely, Stef! Well worth the read! 🙂
We’re never too old for picture books – they have meaning at any age. I hope you enjoy the book if you have a chance to read it!
Heather
What a perfect first line! Way more than a “Halloween” book, for sure.
Absolutely, Sue! And like I said to Robin above, it really doesn’t feel like a Halloween book, although given that it’s in the fall and has a ghost it could be incorporated into Halloween reading. But it’s so much more!
Thank you, Sue! I hope you’ll find it’s great for spooky season, but great all year round too!
Heather
So many kids will relate to the theme of not being seen. I love the premise here. And the color palette for the illustrations is really lovely. I look forward to reading this!
You will love it, Kelly! Wait til you see how it ends 🥰
Thanks, Kelly! I hope you like it!
Heather
I’ve felt invisible so many times in my life and know my 2nd grader is also navigating a challenging at times friendship. This will be a great book to request at our library.
It really will, Mirka. Such a gentle book, with such a reassuring message. I hope you and your 2nd grader both like it!
Thank you for offering to request Gilbert at your library, Mirka! I hope this book helps some young readers feel seen the way Gilbert sees the ghost in his neighborhood.
Heather
I would call the color palette and illustrations in this book “the art of loneliness.” So beautifully evoked. It’s on my TBR list. Thanks, Susanna!
That is so apt, Jilanne! I hope Heather sees your comment – so perfect!
Amazing perspective, Jilanne! Thank you for sharing that beautiful comment! I hope you enjoy the book.
Heather
And thank you for the book!!!! So excited to see LUNA AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING MOONCAKES!! I’ll be in touch!
My pleasure! (And Natasha’s 🙂 ) I’ll look forward to hearing from you!
I read and posted my review for this delightful book. The artwork is perfect for this story.
I totally agree, Danielle! And thank you so much for sharing your review. I know how grateful Heather will be. Reviews are SO important!
Thank you so much for the review, Danielle! I really appreciate it and your “delightful” comment!
Heather
I’m looking forward to reading Gilbert and the Ghost!
Yay! I hope you love it, Jan!
I hope you like it, Jan!
Heather
I’m sure I will!
What a wonderful theme which certainly should help children who often feel unseen or unheard, realize they are not alone. Thank you!
So true, Dianne. And I think there are plenty of adults who feel that way too who can benefit as well 🙂
I hope you enjoy the book if you have a chance to read it!
Heather
I love the premise for this book. Can’t wait to read it!
It’s such a nice book, Kate. I think you’ll really like it!
I hope you enjoy it, Kate!
Heather
The cover and title drew me in as soon as I saw them on Social Media. Can’t wait to read it. Love the correlation to Santa Claus! Clever.
The cover and title are very appealing – hard to pass by!
I hope you enjoy the story!
Heather
This is a story that will touch the hearts of children and the adults who read it to them. Congratulations!
It really is, Kathryn. I think it’s going to be a wonderful book for a lot of kids!
Aw! Thank you, Kathryn!
Heather
This looks like a great book. I can’t wait to read it! Congratulations.
I hope you like it as much as I do when you get a chance to read it, Claire!
I hope you enjoy Gilbert, Claire!
Heather
This PB appears to have the Perfect Premise! Can’t wait to read and review GILBERT AND THE GHOST! 🙂
So nice of you to think ahead about reviewing, Susan. It is so helpful to authors and so important!
Thank you! And thank you for offering to review the book! I hope you enjoy Gilbert.
Heather
Susanna, I adore this book! It is amazing, spooky, and intriguing. I do not need to be in the giveaway – I have the book! Great review.
I agree, Maria. It has just the right level of spooky for young readers. Enough to make you wonder without being too scary. I should have mentioned that in my “why I like this book” section!
Thanks for being a fan of Gilbert, Maria!
Heather
As one of Heather’s critique partners, I like to think I played some small part in Gilbert’s journey. Congratulations Heather! Gilbert no longer has to feel invisible!
Knowing how hard and closely my critique partners and I work on manuscripts, I’m sure you DID play a role in Gilbert’s journey, Rose! How cool that you and Heather are CPs!
Rose! You played a HUGE part in Gilbert’s journey! He wouldn’t be here without you! Thank you so much for all you have done on this book and on my publishing path. You certainly made me feel seen. XOXO
Heather
So many relatable themes here. Gilbert’s feelings and actions will resonate with plenty of children and adults. And, as others have said, a perfect color pallette for the illustrations. A true treasure.
It’s wonderful, Marty! I hope you get to read it!
Thank you, Marty! So nice of you to say. I hope you like the book.
Heather
Halloween and SEL themes- love it! Very excited to read it!
A great theme combo, isn’t it, Sandra? I think you’re really going to like it!
Thank you, Sandra. I hope you enjoy Gilbert!
Heather
I relate to the feeling of invisibility, even as an adult. I’m looking forward to reading Heather’s new book!!
Me, too, Wendy! But rest assured, you are never invisible to me! ❤ I think you’ll love the book when you get to read it!
Thank you, Wendy! I hope you enjoy Gilbert (you’re not invisible to me either!)
Heather
What an endearing and relatable character. Can’t wait to read this story! I hopped over to Heather’s website and was floored with the extensive free resources her daughter created. Teachers will have a field day sharing these activities with their students as they learn new skills in a fun way!
Congrats, Heather!
It’s a lovely book, Angie! I hope you get to read it. It was nice of you to visit Heather’s website – I’m sure she’s appreciative! – and it’s great what her daughter was able to put together. So nice to be able to do things with family members!
Hey Angela! Thanks for visiting my website. My daughter is a true treasure! As a teacher and picture book fan, she’s the perfect person to create educator guides, plus she likes too make them pretty! I hope you like the book!
Heather
I adore ghost picture books! This looks really cute, it will be a great addition to my little collection. I’m forwarding this to my daughter, the librarian. 🙂
It’s very cute, Erik. The ghostliness is a little different than in some books, but you’ll have to read it to find out 🙂 So nice of you to share with your librarian daughter – I know Heather will appreciate that!
Cool! Thanks for sharing with your daughter! I hope you both like the book.
Heather
i’ve never read a scary PB before. invisibility….i can relate.
I think we can all relate to invisibility – we’ve all felt it at some time or other, I imagine! And don’t worry – the PB is not really scary 🙂
No need to worry – not scary, but mysterious. I hope you like it!
Heather
What a great story. I’m sure kids will identify! Might be fun for upcoming holidays!
I think it will, Pat! But it’s a great story any time of year!