Nina's Phantom Friend
Written and Illustrated by Andy Conlan
Published by Duck Creek Press
Softcover, 32 Pages, Colour Illustrations
ISBN 9781927305324
Nina has been searching for her missing cat, Masaccio, from one winter to the next.
Written and Illustrated by Andy Conlan
Published by Duck Creek Press
Softcover, 32 Pages, Colour Illustrations
ISBN 9781927305324
Nina has been searching for her missing cat, Masaccio, from one winter to the next.
Drowning her sorrows in Neapolitan ice cream, Nina is visited by Masaccio's ghost, who confirms her suspicion that he has died, though he cannot remember how. He informs her that due to his skeleton being held by an interdimensional being called The Bone Counter, his phantom self will be tired until his corporeal remains are recovered and resting in peace. The only person who may retrieve them is his one human friend.
Thus, Nina must descend to the underworld and recover them from The Bone Counter herself.
The story follows the girl's last adventure with the ghost of her beloved cat, an adventure that she knows must end with her saying goodbye to him, but with the knowledge that she has set him free.
Nina's Phantom Friend is a departure from previous attempts in children's literature to examine the loss of a pet. Free of the platitudes normally associated with this subject matter, the story celebrates the camaderie young people have with their animals, and offers a gentle acceptance of farewell, mixed with a little spooky mystery and wonder.
Nina's Phantom Friend is a departure from previous attempts in children's literature to examine the loss of a pet. Free of the platitudes normally associated with this subject matter, the story celebrates the camaderie young people have with their animals, and offers a gentle acceptance of farewell, mixed with a little spooky mystery and wonder.