Jane Thayer (1) (1904–2005)

Gus the Ghost is a much beloved character in an 8-book series by Jane Thayer (a pen name for Catherine Woolley) written between 1967 and 1989. I read the first book in this series, Gus Was a Friendly Ghost, in 1971. I made my siblings read it to me over and over and over again. They got so tired of reading about Gus that they taught me to read so I could read the book (and my other favorites) to myself. :) So, technically, Jane Thayer and Gus are partially responsible for my love of books. I show more had to laugh earlier this year when I discovered (much to my shock!) that there wasn't just one Gus book but 8 of them! I am now on the last book....Gus Loved His Happy Home. I'm happy and sad at the same time. Yay! Gus has 8 books!! But Wah! I've read all of them now.

There is only one of the books that I didn't enjoy as much as the others. Book #7, Gus Was a Real Dumb Ghost (or also published with a better title, Gus Goes to School) wasn't illustrated by Seymour Fleishman. The artwork just didn't fit in with the rest of the series. That, added to the rather negative original title, just turned me off. Gus didn't look like Gus! The story was great, but the artwork in the original books really made the stories pop off the page. The new illustrator just didn't have that magic. Not that her art wouldn't be great elsewhere.....you just can't totally change what a beloved character looks like in mid-stream....and then call him "really dumb'' on top of it. Ok....off my soapbox.....I was sooooo happy when I saw the cover of the 8th and final book and saw that it is illustrated by Seymour Fleishman. Gus is Gus again! It really does make me incredibly curious why one book in the series was illustrated by someone else. I would guess that readers reactions to that 7th book were just like mine.....yuck!

I loved this book! Gus Loved His Happy Home returns to the vibe of the original books in the series. Gus is at home in the attic of the historical museum. He lives with cranky Mr. Frizzle, Mouse the Mouse, and Cora the Cat. He's still wearing the colorful sheets he picked out in Gus Was a Gorgeous Ghost. He looks quite dapper for a spirit! Winter is coming, so Mr. Frizzle packs up and heads to Florida. He says he will be back in the spring and tells Gus to keep the museum dusted and in order. But, Gus has so much fun trying new things and playing while Mr. Frizzle is gone that he forgets to dust! Oh no! Can he clean up before Mr. Frizzle comes back?

This is such a cute story! The Gus series ends on a happy note. Perfect! Gus does so many fun things and has some interesting experiences before Mr. Frizzle comes back home. And the illustrations are definitely back to the style I love from the earlier books! I definitely want to read more stories by Jane Thayer and more books that feature Seymour Fleishman's artwork!

Jane Thayer (Catherine Woolley) wrote almost 90 children's books during her career. show less

Every child has a favorite book. A book that always got picked first during bedtime reading. A book that stays on the shelf even when its owner grows up. A book that gets purchased for children, grandchildren, other people's children because it's just a lovely book. There are three such books** from my childhood that I remember and ALWAYS keep a copy on hand. The book always at the very tippy top of the list is Gus the Friendly Ghost by Jane Thayer.

Imagine my shock today when I discovered show more that Gus was actually a SERIES of books!! After his appearance and designation as friendly....he went on to star in 7 more books! I'm nearly 50 years old...but the thought of more adventures with Gus and the lovely illustrations by Seymour Fleishman had me smiling like I was 5 years old again! I had no idea that Thayer wrote several additional Gus books up until the final one (Gus Loved His Happy Home) in 1989.

I immediately went on a mission to read each and every Gus book! The first one I could find is actually the 5th book in the series. Gus Was a Mexican Ghost! Gus lives in a historical museum with a cat, a mouse, a baby ghost, and a cantankerous human named Mr. Frizzle. Mr. Frizzle yells a lot. The museum is closed every winter. One particular winter, Mr. Frizzle leaves to go to Mexico during the off season. Gus misses Mr. Frizzle while he is gone. A postcard arrives from sunny Mexico that says "Wish you were here.'' Gus decides Mr. Frizzle wants to come home, so he decides to go to Mexico and fetch him. What adventures can a cat, a baby ghost and Gus get into in Mexico?
And can they find Mr. Frizzle?

This is an absolutely lovely children's book! The story is cute and the illustrations are colorful! Mr Frizzle's face turns red when he yells....hilarious! :) This book keeps all the charm I love about Gus is a Friendly Ghost. Mouse became his friend in that book....and is in this story, too. I can't wait to read the rest of the series and learn more about Cora the Cat, the baby ghost and Mr. Frizzle.

(For anyone who wants to know the other two children's books that always have a place on my shelf....they are: The Laughing Dragon by Kenneth Mahood and Frog & Toad Together by Arnold Lobel) show less

I really love this book and it was fun to read. Gus is a creative and mischievous character, much like many children so he is very relatable in that way. Gus also uses his tricks to get what he wants. What I really like about this book is its cultural tie-in to Mexican language and heritage by using Spanish vocabulary in some parts to describe an object. I think this type of book is great for children as it teaches them cultural diversity in an enjoyable way.

My absolutely favorite book as a child was Gus, The Friendly Ghost by Jane Thayer. My mom ordered it for me from The Weekly Reader Book Club. Every month or so they sent me books. I loved it when the package showed up! I can remember only three of the titles* I got way back then....and two are permanent residents of my Keeper Shelf.

Imagine my total surprise (and very happy reaction!) when I discovered just last week that Gus had a series! His adventures didn't stop with Gus, The Friendly show more Ghost! There is a series with 7 more books! I was immediately on a mission to read each and every one of them! Gus was one of my best book buddies as a young girl...and I want to know the rest of his story! Two of the books I was able to put on hold at local libraries in the county where I live....when I got the phone call that the books were available, the librarians both sounded surprised I had put a children's book on hold. They are used to me checking out mysteries and thrillers, not kid's books. :) I picked the Gus books up this week, along with a Jo Nesbo and C.J. Box books I had waiting for me at the library.....strange mix. :)

What's a Ghost Going to Do? is just a lovely book!!! The artwork is by Seymour Fleishman just like the first book in the series. It made me smile clear down to my soul. :)

Story basics: Gus lives in an old summer home owned by the Scott family. The family is there in the summer. When falls comes around, they leave. And then Gus' friend Mouse comes to stay with him. Unfortunately, the Scotts decide to sell the old house and build a new one somewhere else. What's a friendly ghost to do when he might lose his home?

I won't say how it turns out! Read the book! :)

The illustrations really make the story great! :)

Jane Thayer is a pen name for author Catherine Woolley. She wrote many children's books under this name, including The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy. I am SO happy to discover that Gus the Ghost is an 8 book series! I will have to collect the other books to go with my copy of Gus, The Friendly Ghost on my keeper shelf. :) I will definitely be reading this entire series....and hunting down used copies for my shelf. I love Gus!! And have since I was 3 years old!

*The other two books I remember receiving from the Weekly Reader club are: The Laughing Dragon by Kenneth Mahood (which also has a place on my permanent keeper shelf) and The Gollywhopper Egg by Anne Rockwell. The other titles I received were enjoyed.....but not remembered. show less