The Elevator Ghost

When Carolina Giddle moves into the Blatchford Arms, no one knows what to make of her sequin-sprinkled sneakers and her trinket-crusted car. But the parents are happy there’s a new babysitter around, and Carolina seems to have an uncanny ability to calm the most rambunctious child with her ghostly stories. Armed with unusual snacks, candles to set the mood, and her trusty sidekick ? a tarantula named Chiquita ? Carolina entertains the children with some good old-fashioned storytelling and, at the end, a great Halloween party. Governor General’s Award winner Glen Huser brings his quirky sense of humor and horror to some time-honored motifs. Holy terror Angelo Bellini discovers that no one can throw a tantrum like a double-crossed pirate. Timid Hubert and Hetty Croop become inspired by the story of a boy who finds the perfect weapon for overcoming his fear of the dark. And Dwight and Dwayne Fergus, two would-be Freddy Kruegers, finally meet their match in Carolina's story of the footless skeleton. As for Carolina, it turns out she has a timeworn connection to the Blatchford Arms, and to the ghost who still haunts the building ? especially its old-fashioned elevator.

Glen Huser’s novels include Touch of the Clown (short-listed for the Mr. Christie’s Book Award), Stitches (winner of the Governor General’s Award), Skinnybones, and The Wrinkle Queen (nominated for the Governor General’s Award and the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award). A former teacher and librarian in Edmonton, he has taught writing for children at the University of British Columbia. He recently explored his passion for musical theater in Time for Flowers, Time for Snow, a picture-book retelling of the myth of Demeter and Persephone (with a CD featuring a 180-voice children’s chorus). He lives in Vancouver.