The House with Nobody in It

Written and Illustrated by Jon Klassen                   

[A] gently eerie board book ghost story. . . . Giving youngest readers ample space to contemplate their own perceptions, Klassen again displays a remarkable knack for creating lingering, fully realized works through the sparsest storytelling.—Publishers Weekly (starred review)                  

Preschoolers, get ready for your first official ghost story. . . . To set the mood, Klassen relies heavily on color; the first few rooms are brightly lit in the sun’s rays, but the home grows dimmer as readers proceed. Treating the book itself as a physical location begging to be explored (it’s even shaped like a house), Klassen extends the format beyond its usual limitations, allowing a short story of surprising depth to emerge. A spooky house tour, unafraid to redefine what board books are capable of achieving.—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Klassen’s (Your Truck, rev. 1/26) house-shaped novelty board book is a slightly spooky, ­fun-to-explore existential journey that challenges our notions of what board books can offer. . . . Toddlers will enjoy turning the sturdy pages, pointing out the house’s contents, and wondering (amused, unnerved, or a bit of both) about the ghost’s presence.—The Horn Book (starred review)

A Gently Spooky Story with Interactive Die-Cut Doors and Windows

Peek through doors and windows to explore a mysterious house in this innovative shaped novelty book for young readers who relish the lightly spooky, from the Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times bestselling Jon Klassen, creator of I Want My Hat Back and The Skull.

Here are the things in this house: a chair, a clock on the wall, a stool, a lamp. And more. What’s missing from this house? Somebody. This is the house with nobody in it. Well, there might be something . . .

Designed as a sturdy keepsake to read, play with, and treasure, The House with Nobody in It takes readers through a recognizable, cozy house, while layered die-cut doors and windows throughout introduce a hint of intrigue. This is the house with nobody in it—or is it?

Pairing the familiar with a touch of mystery, Jon Klassen proves once again to be a master of breaking the mold, playing with expectations . . . and delighting even the youngest of readers.

Hardcover (Board Book)
18 pages
Age range: 3-7 years
Candlewick, 2026
8 x 8.75 inches
ISBN 9781536248289
Children's Book