(3) K-3 A shy ghost lives alone in an attic and likes it that way. When a human visitor disturbs his peace, he tries to scare her off, to no avail — but maybe, he finds, that’s not such a bad thing. The story, smoothly translated from Japanese, offers readers and listeners the fun of realizing the ghost’s true feelings before he does. Charcoal pencil illustrations make creative use of contrast: the glowing white and sometimes transparent ghost pops off the black-and-white and night-blue backgrounds, as do the pastel hues introduced by the moon and the little girl.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax