In a Psychology Today article on the invisible child, Janice Webb Ph.D. writes: "Growing up with your feelings unrecognized and unresponded to by the most important people in your life is devastating. But, remarkably, many children don’t even know that they are going through something devastating … because it’s invisible. The lack of emotional acknowledgment and validation is what’s not there. And while this invisible force is entrenched in your childhood home, you are left feeling unseen and unheard. Invisible."
This description closely fits Gilbert, this book's main character. He believes in ghosts, especially the one at 632 Savannah Street. His siblings and his mother make light of his beliefs, with statements ranging from "It's just an old house" to "there's no such thing as ghosts." But Gilbert senses that the ghost might be lonely and afraid — feelings that he has, too, when no one notices him disappearing into his classroom's supply closet or leaving a game of tag.
So he reaches out to the ghost with kindness, knowing how hard it is to make friends if you're invisible. He leaves a bracelet at the gate of 632 Savannah Street, and it's gone the next day. He bakes the yummiest cookies he knows and leaves a package of them on the steps of 632 Savannah Street. The package soon disappears as well.
The real poignancy and strength of the story comes through when Gilbert leaves the ghost a personal note asking them to be his friend. When Gilbert tells his family that this note vanished from the 632 Savannah Street porch, Gilbert's brother rolls his eyes, and his mom suggests that he make a friend in drama club. Gilbert droops. "But Gilbert knew how hard it was to make friends, especially when you're invisible." Here, artist Jess Mason shows Gilbert walking alone up the stairs of his home, a look of thoughtful sadness on his face. In spite of the neglect he faces, he hasn't given up.
Author Heather Pierce Stigall uses her experience with children and her degrees in child development, psychology-based human relations, and social work to create books that speak to kids. This book — for readers ages three to eight — not only acknowledges the experience of kids who feel invisible but also brings in a mysterious twist that validates Gilbert's efforts and hopes. As good books often do, it leaves us surprised, curious, and drawing our own conclusions. It's spooky in all the right ways, including as a reminder that we oughtn't close our minds to the vast possibilities the universe offers, some of which children see more clearly than adults do.
