Who hasn’t been scared of ghosts lurking in the closet? But for Anu, moving to a new home means conquering more than just her fear of the dark. Award-winning author Uma Krishnaswami imparts a universally appealing tale in The Closet Ghosts, a playful story about the power of one girl’s imagination and her ability to find comfort in a new place.

Anu has to go to a new school, her best friend is far away, and her new house doesn’t feel like home at all. Worst of all, there are ghosts in her closet! Mischievous and mean, the ghosts’ horrible howls echo through the night. This looks like a job for Hanuman, the mighty monkey hero from Indian mythology who can change shape in a blink of an eye and chase goblins away with his thundering voice. When Hanuman answers Anu’s plea for help, Anu rejoices—until she realizes those pesky ghosts are still around. With laughter and song, Anu is able to expel the ghosts on her own, learning she has the power to overcome any fear.

Uma Krishnaswami effortlessly weaves motifs from Indian mythology into this bubbly story, and Shiraaz Bhabha’s acrylic paintings glow with warmth and richness on every page. This book will delight and amaze any child who has faced a big change by exercising her imagination—or who’s had ghosts in her closet. As Anu says, “Shiver and shake you mean old ghosts, I’ve got help!”

“This delightful story has a familiar theme, but the addition of Hindu mythology and the twist of having the protagonist herself discover a way out of her dilemma set it apart from similar titles about overcoming fears...An upbeat story with a positive message.”
—School Library Journal, June 2006

"…a unique tale that is worthy of a wide audience."
—KIRKUS REVIEWS, April 2006

"Author Uma Krishnaswami writes understandingly about Anu's travails, and artist Shiraaz Bhabha's warm-hued paintings imbue the book with energy and Anu with self-confidence." —ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, May 2006

" …a sunny story that beautifully deals with Anu’s fear and sadness, and how she overcomes these feelings. Illustrations by Shiraaz Bhabha are bright and pleasing. My preschooler started reading this book with bated breath and wide-eyed interest; she finished on a giggly note. It now makes a wonderful addition to her library."
—INDIA CURRENTS, April 2006

" …a welcome addition to a child's bookshelf for more reasons than adding diversity."
—South Asian Women’s Network, May 2006