About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a friendship that has shifted into a competitive or hurtful rivalry. It is a perfect tool for children who feel 'left behind' as friends develop different interests or social statuses. This graphic novel serves as a prequel to The Nightmare Before Christmas, exploring the early bond between Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie. It examines how ambition, jealousy, and external manipulation can fracture even the closest ties. Parents will appreciate how it uses a beloved fantasy world to normalize the complex feelings of envy and the pain of seeing a friend change for the worse. It offers a safe, metaphorical space to discuss sportsmanship, integrity, and the cost of winning at any price. Suitable for ages 8 to 12, it provides a nuanced look at why some friendships end and how to handle the disappointment that follows.
