This book feels instantly classic: the retro illustrations paired with a timeless tale of finding friends who really see you. It taps into underlying melancholy of Leo’s situation: Leo, of course, is a ghost who haunts a house until its new inhabitants make it clear that they have no interest in sharing the space with him.

His pencil drawings feel natural, and don't feel at all like they've been planned out carefully like they probably have done. The story has a light touch, but there’s so much depth: a fearful ghost, a take-charge girl, an interracial friendship, and a tale in which fear is integrally and sweetly tied to positive qualities of imagination. This is Leo, who is a obviously a ghost; we never learn his back story or how he came to be alone in the house. This tender, wistful tale of friendship, innocence, and belief is an absolute joy—simply and movingly told, with quirky illustrations that tug at the heartstrings even as they raise a smile.

As always Robinson shows that he is a genius of mood—shades of blue and heavy black lines cast a melancholy glow—and posture. In any case, this was a sweet tale made all the better by Robinson's illustrations, done in acrylic paint and cut-out paper, in varying shades of blue, brown and black.

Leo was a white kid when he was alive and he admits that the city has changed a lot but he's not hesitant to talk to this girl who can see him, this girl who plays games in her room or in the yard instead of hanging out with technology. At some point, my wife made a comment about the quality of my driving,and the danger that I was putting our guest in.But the story of loneliness and finding friendship is delightful, and reminds me a lot of The Adventures of Beekle. Illustrated in shades of blue and starring a sweet faced boy ghost, Leo is left wandering the streets after the new owners of his home make it clear he is not wanted. A heartening parable of seeing through difference, meeting the unfamiliar with unflinching friendliness, and dignifying the reality of the other. He openly welcomed the new family into his home, but, the family was scared and desperate and a little bit hateful of their housemate, so Leo hits the road as a roaming ghost.

Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World, and illustrator Christian Robinson, who just won a Caldecott Honor this past month for Last Stop on Market Street, Leo: A Ghost Story explores the themes of loneliness, friendship and honesty. the book emphasizes a certain sweetness with Barnett's stripped down prose and Christian Robinson's adorable illustrations. Christian Robinson’s beautiful illustrations are simple and stylish; the cool blue palette perfectly captures Leo’s quiet world and the city scenes evoke classic New Yorker-style illustrations. Jane is sapphire-skinned but reads African-American to me, with her braided or twisted hair — drawn as cheerful little dots — in a high side ponytail.None of those things are central to the story but they're there, quietly informing young minds about the world and I thought that was pretty cool. The look of the book is mod and sparky enough to delight design-loving parents, while the text, by Mac Barnett is wry, evocative and rich.