Parents' Guide to

Skeletina and the In-Between World

By Carrie Kingsley, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Kind story of dealing with worries has great illustrations.

Book Susie Jaramillo Picture Book 2022
Cartoonish skeleton girl on a swing with ghosts

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What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

Angie M.
Angie M. Parent
June 20, 2023
age 4+

A Perfect Tool for Conquering Nightmares

I love the book and its art, but mostly that I can talk about nightmares and "monsters" with my kids combining imagination, adventure, and self-empowerment, one of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to address children's fears in a gentle and engaging way. The book's illustrations are beautifully crafted, breathing life into the story and enhancing the reader's immersion in the In-Between World. Skeletina's extraordinary adventures in this mystical world not only provide a thrilling narrative but also offer valuable lessons for young readers.

This title has:

Great messages
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

SKELETINA AND THE IN-BETWEEN WORLD takes place in a dreamland for the living that is also where the dead go who still have things they want to work through. Young Skeletina is fearless, and along with older creatures, monsters and others who live in the in-between with her, she helps children confront their anxieties, and connect the living with the recently dead.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (2 ):

This picture book's engaging, energetic, illustrations draw in young readers with kindness and empathy, and easily convey to young readers the complex idea of an in-between world. Skeletina and the In-Between World is a wonderful way to start conversations about managing anxiety, missing people we care about, and other things that weigh on young kids' minds. The story is a bit meandering, but the messages of courage, love, and the power of our own thoughts come through with clarity.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about who they would like to connect with if they were in Skeletina and the In-Between World. Who would you like to talk to, or get a message to? What would you say?

  • Do you have bad dreams when you sleep? What do you think having helpers in an in-between world to navigate your nightmares?

  • What are some of your favorite books about dreams?

Book Details

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