TALES OF THE HAUNTED DEEP
by Brenda Z. Guiberson & illustrated by Brenda Z. Guiberson
Guiberson (Spotted Owl, 1994, etc.) ventures into Daniel Cohen territory with these riveting, if briefly told, tales of lesser-known ghosts, sea monsters, and haunted pirate treasure. She relates the lurid details with relish: “Blackbeard’s head was cut off and hung from the bowsprit. . . . The headless body was thrown into the sea [whereupon it] swam one time, two times, then three times around the sloop before sinking into the deep.” The author intersperses photos, old prints, and her own evocative black-and-white vignettes, and finishes with five spooky scenarios suitable for developing into new tales of terror. Perfect fare for reading by flashlight. (index, extensive bibliography) (Folklore. 9-11)