The Ghost-Eye Tree
Bill Martin and John Archambault, Authors
Ted Rand, Illustrator
Square Fish Publisher, 1988 (Reprint)
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: It’s okay to be scared, Imagination, Halloween
Book Synopsis: One dark and windy autumn night when the sun has long gone down, a young boy and his older sister are sent to the end of town to get a bucket of milk. As they walk down the lonely road, bathed in eerie moonlight, all the boy can think about is the ghost-eye tree.
Oooo…
I dreaded to go…
I dreaded the tree….
Why does Mama always choose me
When the night is so dark
And the mind runs free?
What will happen when they come to the tree? Can they run past it or will it reach out and grab them?
Why I like this book: I will admit that this is a favorite dark and edgy book that my daughter and I still enjoy today. I reviewed it several years ago, before I had much of a following, so I decided to share it again. It is written by the late Bill Martin (1916-2004) and John Archambault, who give children a lot of room to use their imaginations. Martin wrote children’s books for nearly 60 years. I am a bit nostalgic as this was my daughter’s favorite spooky Halloween book. I was so happy to find her copy and to know it is still available on Amazon, Barnes & Nobel and in libraries. Written in verse by the authors in 1988, it is packed with imagery and suspense with each turn of the page. Ted Rand’s illustrations are dark, eery and perfectly exaggerate the mood of the story. The book is also a great read around any camp fire. It remains on my bookshelf because it shows kids that being scared is okay. It has just enough tension to make this a good Halloween read.
I discovered a short film was made of the Ghost-Eye Tree in 2008 by Nusomfilms. Here is the trailer.
Children's Books Heal 
This looks perfect for my kids (and me!) – I can’t even watch commercials for scary movies. I’ll stick with this. Thanks.
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It’s an older story that has held the test of time. I love this story! Hope you and your kids enjoy it too!
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Pat, Thanks for recommending this book. It sounds like a perfect read for Halloween.
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It really is a fun, spooky story for kids. Our favorite.
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Oh, I would’ve loved this book when I was a kid!
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I ‘m glad you enjoyed the the Ghost-Eye tree. I enjoyed it as an adult.
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This one sounds familiar. Not sure if I’m remembering it from your earlier review, or if I’ve read it. Either way, it sounds like a great Halloween read.
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Ruth, I shared it so long ago when I didn’t have many followers. And, so I decided to rewrite the review, share a little more of the dialogue because the verse it so good.
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Sounds perfect for Halloween!
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Don’t know if it was meant for Halloween, although it was released in October 1988. But, it certainly was a favorite with my daughter. Bill Martin was a spectacular storyteller.
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Sounds scary and fun. Love the trailer. Looks like there won’t be much milk left in the bucket when they get home….
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Yes, you’re probably right. But, it’s a classic story that has stood the test of time. I still have the original book.
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I was so terrified of the dark. I think highly imaginative children are. My terror was the shadow under the bed. I couldn’t get out of bed. I could ‘see’ into the dark. I think it so important for children to have their fear acknowledged rather than being told that they would grow out of it and be forced to have the light out anyhow.
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I was a lot like you too — and I was very imaginative. I had my dad up many nights checking out things. I remember once telling him a big cricket came through my window. The next morning there was a cricket in my sheets. I agree fear should be acknowledged with kids. I would have enjoyed this book over age six.
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This looks like a good spooky tale. And being your daughter’s favorite is quite a recommendation. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks!
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Oh, it’s a favorite for sure. Hope you check it out because it would be a good read with kids.
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You describe it well! Also a favorite of mine.
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Thank you Gaye. I’m happy others know about the book and love it!
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This looks deliciously spooky, Pat! I haven’t read it, but I’m a Bill Martin fan, and any book you and your daughter loved so much must be worth a read!
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Glad you enjoyed it Susanna. You have to read the words just right to have the required effect.
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i remember you posting this a couple of years back for Halloween and I still haven’t read it so thanks for the reminder, it sounds just the right amount of scary for kids.
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Yes, I posted this before I had many followers. So, I rewrote it and formatted it differently. And, since it has been reprinted I found a larger picture of the book. Hope you find it. You’d enjoy reading it to kids.
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Yes, I have revisited some of my earlier reviews for the same reason. 🙂
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This sounds like a fun Halloween book! I like the cover a lot. I’m glad that it still connects you and your daughter. 🙂 I think there is something every kid hates to walk past. I hate walking past dark rooms with doors open. *shiver*
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I lOVE the cover of this book. It says everything. I didn’t like dark closets and the headlights from the cars shining on my mother’s printed drapes, casting eerie picture on the walls. And, I’m sure my dad got tired of my calling out about someone in the living room. 🙂
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I can see why On A Windy Night reminded you of this book. It does sound similar. I’ll have to see if my library has it 🙂
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You’re right Penny. After I read your review of “On A Windy Night,” I decided to pull up the review, rewrite/update it and share it again. I wrote in several years ago, before I had many followers.
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