Leo: A Ghost Story

Leo: A Ghost Story
Written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson

My rating: ★★★

ISBN: 978-1452131566
Publisher: Chronicle
Date of publication: August 25, 2015
Age: 4 - 7 years

Themes: ghosts, imaginary friends, burglary, friendship

Leo is friendly and happy. He is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo's efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin.

I had a hard time rating this one because I'm really not won over...but I feel like I should be. I enjoy Mac Barnett's work, but this just didn't seem quite as good. The story seemed to ramble quite a bit and didn't have a real arc. Leo is a ghost. The new family that moves in are scared, so Leo leaves. Leo wanders in a city that's changed quite a bit. He meets a new friend. Then, quite randomly, a burglar sneaks into the house of his new friend and it's up to Leo to save the day. It just feels like a bit too much, without much humor.

Still, it got the three stars because the concept is an original idea: a girl making friends with a ghost because she thinks he's her imaginary friend. And, the illustrations are SO adorable. The monochromatic scheme contributes to the ghostly aspect, and the retro simplicity adds to the child-like whimsy. Actually, the story itself is rather childlike (picture a toddler telling you a long story, but with words like "roused" in his vocabulary), so I guess the two go hand-in-hand.

Overall, I would say that with the many many positive reviews it's getting elsewhere, you should decide for yourself. Good readalikes would be The Adventures of Beekle and Imaginary Fred.

Find it at your library or on Amazon

Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street
Written by Matt De La Peña, illustrated by Christian Robinson

My rating: ★★★½

ISBN: 978-0399257742
Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons
Date of publication: January 8, 2015
Age: 4 - 7 years
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: gratitude, beauty, poverty, family relationships

Every Sunday after church, CJ and his nana ride the bus across town. But today, CJ has questions. Why do they have to wait in the rain? Why they don't own a car like his friend Colby? Why doesn’t he have an iPod like the boys on the bus? How come they always have to get off in the dirty part of town? Nana, however, has just the right answer to everyone question to help CJ see the beauty in what they have in the world around them.

The poetic writing paired with vivid illustrations in this book make for a in-depth experience; it appeals to the psyche on so many levels. De La Peña has a way with words that really captures the childhood experience ("why can't I have that?") and grandmotherly wisdom. But it really wouldn't be complete without the pictures, which give the story further depth. I appreciate this one, I hope kids will, too--it might be one of those adults-appreciate-it-more picture books.

Find it at your library or on Amazon