Petition persuades publisher to reprint classic ghost story book

Usborne Books was originally founded by Peter Usborne in 1973 and today it consists of a team of writers, editors, designers, and translators. The team create books for UK children, schools, families, and communities with the aim to educate and entertain.  They make a range of books for children of all ages, fiction and non-fiction, including ‘Look & Say’, ‘Touchy-Feely’, and The Usborne Reading Program, among many more.

One book that really struck a chord with many children in the 1970s and 80 was a now-discontinued non-fiction book about the supernatural- The World of the Unknown: All About Ghosts. An online petition, backed by UK actor, writer, and comedian, Reece Shearsmith (The League of Gentlemen, Hot Fuzz) has gained over 1,200 signatures, prompting the publisher to reissue the 1977 classic book.

Shearsmith will be writing a foreword for the new edition of Ghosts and told the Guardian of how much the book inspired him:

“Growing up in the 1970s, I was very much obsessed with horror, the supernatural and all things strange. My discovery of the Usborne World of the Unknown series in the school library came as such a blessing, seemingly targeted specifically for me and dedicated to everything I was fascinated by.”

Shearsmith’s darkly comedic shows such as The League of Gentlemen, Psychoville, and Inside No 9, show how the early inspiration from Ghosts certainly had an impact.

Usborne’s Anna Howorth added:

“This was genuinely one of my favourite childhood books. It had such an impact on me as I read, reread and generally terrified myself … I had a sense that there was a cult following, and then when I heard that Reece was so influenced by it, I jumped on it. I was hopeful it would get wider support but quite surprised at how quickly it took off and just how passionate people were.”