About the Author

Jon Klassen is the author-illustrator of I Want My Hat Back, We Found a Hat and This Is Not My Hat, the only book to ever win both the Kate Greenaway and Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated Triangle, Square, The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse, Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, all written by Mac Barnett, as well as Ted Kooser's House Held Up By Trees. Before making picture books, he worked as an illustrator on the animated feature film, Coraline. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, Jon now lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son. Find Jon online at burstofbeaden.com, on Twitter as @burstofbeaden, and on Instagram as @jonklassen.

Reviews

Klassen’s recognizable graphite-and-ink illustrations capture the haunting—yet somehow charming—atmosphere of the stark Austrian setting, where shadows loom, bones come to life, and apricot sunshine cuts through the gloom. . . . Is the story creepy? You bet, but it’s also weirdly sweet and characterized by agency, kindness, and choice. . . . Klassen's newest offering will be highly coveted.
*Booklist (starred review)*

Readers can enjoy a quick read, the implementation of interesting literary elements, and the humor that we have come to know from Klassen.
*School Library Connection*

Suffice to say the macabre humour that readers expect from Klassen prevails, creating a thought-provoking ending.
*Reading Time*

Jon Klassen has a vast, dedicated fan base amongst both staff and customers at Readings, and The Skull will only gain him more fans. This is a beautiful book, in muted, ghostly shades of grey with colour popping in every now and again to brighten the darkest of moments. This is suitable for a spookier kind of kid – one who won’t get too shaken up by a skeleton-chase scene – and is a perfect, misremembered folk tale for 8+.
*Readings*

An irresistible folk tale, the story has lots of elements which are familiar but take the readers along quite unexpected pathways. Klassen’s wry sense of humour comes to the fore with the detours he takes, keeping the readers on their toes. Otilla is a strong individual, firstly leaving a place she did not like, then hiding out in the wood, taking a skull for a benefactor. She deals with his secret tormentor with dispatch, finding a place to call home. The wonderful illustrations using very few colours, give an air of gloom and mystery. Minimalist in scope, the ink and water colours creates a grainy texture to his images, the lighter touches, Ottila’s night attire and the pear tree, reinforcing the gloom that surrounds them.
*ReadPlus*