Description
When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! But it does mean you can float around in cold weather . . . an adorable picture book about a ghost who wants to share the magic of the season with his chilly sheet friends.
The little ghost quilt loves being out in the cold. For once, he doesn't overheat, and he likes how the snowflakes make his patches look polka-dotted. His friends, who are sheets, get too cold in the winter weather and have to stay inside, but the little ghost quilt doesn't mind. He enjoys slowly drifting along on his own.
On one of his frosty flights, he sees something happening in the town. People are putting up warm, twinkling lights, and there's a fun festive feeling everywhere — like Halloween, his favorite season, but with snowmen and wreaths and candles in windows instead of pumpkins. He is filled with excitement and happiness looking at all the beautiful decorations and joyous people, yet he can't help but feel sad that his friends can't be there.
But then, after almost getting caught in a blizzard, the little ghost quilt is struck by inspiration . . .
The little ghost quilt loves being out in the cold. For once, he doesn't overheat, and he likes how the snowflakes make his patches look polka-dotted. His friends, who are sheets, get too cold in the winter weather and have to stay inside, but the little ghost quilt doesn't mind. He enjoys slowly drifting along on his own.
On one of his frosty flights, he sees something happening in the town. People are putting up warm, twinkling lights, and there's a fun festive feeling everywhere — like Halloween, his favorite season, but with snowmen and wreaths and candles in windows instead of pumpkins. He is filled with excitement and happiness looking at all the beautiful decorations and joyous people, yet he can't help but feel sad that his friends can't be there.
But then, after almost getting caught in a blizzard, the little ghost quilt is struck by inspiration . . .
Author Bio
BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is an award-winning illustrator whose recent books include The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear (starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal and Quill & Quire), Coyote Tales by Thomas King and Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin (starred review from School Library Journal). Byron's work has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Walrus, GQ and O, The Oprah Magazine. He lives in Calgary, Alberta.
Prizes
- New Brunswick Book Awards - Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Children’s WritingShort-listed 2026
Review Quotes
Shortlisted for the Alice Kitts Memorial Award for Excellence in Picture Book Writing 2026
A Toronto Star Bestseller
One of Quill & Quire's Favourite Young Readers Titles of 2025
"This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate." —Kirkus Reviews
"This story about acceptance and kindness is a change of pace from many holiday picture books, and the humorously detailed illustrations provide plenty of added appeal." —School Library Journal
"Nason’s calm, evocative text embraces the little ghost quilt’s contemplative nature, while Eggenschwiler’s sepia and grayscale illustrations match the winter setting with touches of color in the quilt and in the decorations reflecting the season’s sense of warmth and wonder." —The Horn Book
"It's impossible not to feel the weather and the joy that the little ghost quilt experiences on his winter outing. . . . [T]his picture book is more than a seasonal tome to share with young children. It's a story of kindness and compassion; it's a book about understanding what others are experiencing and how to help expand the scope of their lives." —CanLit for Little Canadians
A Toronto Star Bestseller
One of Quill & Quire's Favourite Young Readers Titles of 2025
"This quietly lovely holiday tale underscores the true meaning of the holidays: friendship and togetherness. The illustrations rely on a muted palette with spots of vivid colors; like a quilt, they’re soft and delicate." —Kirkus Reviews
"This story about acceptance and kindness is a change of pace from many holiday picture books, and the humorously detailed illustrations provide plenty of added appeal." —School Library Journal
"Nason’s calm, evocative text embraces the little ghost quilt’s contemplative nature, while Eggenschwiler’s sepia and grayscale illustrations match the winter setting with touches of color in the quilt and in the decorations reflecting the season’s sense of warmth and wonder." —The Horn Book
"It's impossible not to feel the weather and the joy that the little ghost quilt experiences on his winter outing. . . . [T]his picture book is more than a seasonal tome to share with young children. It's a story of kindness and compassion; it's a book about understanding what others are experiencing and how to help expand the scope of their lives." —CanLit for Little Canadians
Biographical note
RIEL NASON is a Canadian novelist and quilter. She writes for both adults and children. Her acclaimed debut novel The Town That Drowned, won the Commonwealth Book Prize for Canada and Europe and the Margaret and John Savage First Book Award. The bestselling The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, was her debut picture book. Riel’s original quilts are known for their humor, whimsy and bold use of color. She lives in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, with her family.
BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is the illustrator of several books, including The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear, Coyote Tales by Thomas King and The Strangest Thing in the Sea by Rachel Poliquin. Byron has also done illustrations for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and others. He shares a home with his wife in Calgary, Alberta.
BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is the illustrator of several books, including The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear, Coyote Tales by Thomas King and The Strangest Thing in the Sea by Rachel Poliquin. Byron has also done illustrations for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, GQ and others. He shares a home with his wife in Calgary, Alberta.
