I love a good ghost story. And based on the success of shows like The Ghost Whisperer and the enduring popularity of real-life mediums such as Sylvia Browne and John Edward, a lot of other people do, too.

Whether you look at them as spooky entertainment, proof of life after death, or a little bit of both, there's something irresistible about stories of the spirit world.

Ghosts are--depending on your point of view and/or personal experience--scary, creepy, comforting, or all of the above. But what about child ghosts? There's something about the idea of a child's spirit trapped between heaven and earth that is even more poignant--and chilling.

What would you do if you moved into a house with your family--and found out that it was already inhabited by ghost children? That's just what happened to Kathleen McConnell, and it was just the beginning of an enduring relationship with a very extended family. Check out the link below to an excerpt from her book, Don't Call Them Ghosts, to find out more about how she got to know the spirit children of Fontaine Manse.

There's something fascinating about the idea of communicating with an unseen world. But there's something equally fascinating about the idea of communicating with a world of beings very much seen and heard--just not in any human language. I'm talking about the phenomenon of animal communication. Have you ever wondered what in the world your pet is thinking? Imagine what it would be like to be able to have a conversation with your dog!

There are practical benefits to animal communication, especially when it comes to solving behavior problems. Animal communicators claim to be able to get to the bottom of baffling behaviors, including inappropriate fear or aggression. If you've ever wondered what it's like to talk to the animals, and what they have to say for themselves, you'll love Dr. Monica Diedrich, author of What Animals Tell Me. She discovered her gift early in life and has been talking with animals ever since.

Anytime you admit to a belief in ghosts, spirits, or psychic communication, there are bound to be those who think you're gullible at best or crazy at worst. But wondering about the possibilities beyond what we already know has fueled some of the greatest scientific discoveries of our time.

Many paranormal enthusiasts believe that a lot of things we now consider "supernatural" are perfectly natural, just not yet explainable. I believe the most important thing we can do is to keep an open mind--and never stop asking questions!

—Jennifer Spees, Paranormal Specialist