A New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2015 You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can't even see him. Because Leo 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. This charming tale of friendship—from two of the best young minds in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Bologna Ragazzi Award–winning Josephine —is destined to become a modern classic that will delight readers for years to come. K-Gr 2—When Leo, a ghost, finds the new inhabitants of his house unwelcoming, he takes to the streets. Luckily, he encounters the fantastically fun Jane, who believes he is an imaginary friend. When Leo helps catch a thief breaking into her house, he is forced to admit that he is not an imaginary friend but a real one. Fortunately, the unflappable Jane graciously takes this all in stride. Barnett's story is expectedly droll and told in deadpan prose. There's just enough of it to provide a canvas for Robinson's thoughtful illustrations. His palette is almost exclusively blue, but the contrast between the different tones is sharp, and the heavy doses of gray with hints of green soften much of the blue into a neutral tone. Robinson solves the issue of a white ghost on a white page smartly by depicting Leo as a blue outline on white paper. Leo beautifully contrasts with the geometrically composed live humans, and Robinson finds some clever opportunities for depicting Leo's transparency. The balance of texture and white space helps mitigate the many shades of blue, retaining visual interest and keeping the overall feel upbeat. VERDICT A whimsical tale from Barnett aptly accompanied by enthralling artwork by Robinson. What's not to drool over?—Erin Reilly-Sanders, Ohio State University, Columbus "A beguiling story of acceptance."—San Jose Mercury News Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year "Offers comfort to any child who shares life with that one constant imaginary friend."—School Library Connection "Dazzling."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review “A warm and wise story about acceptance trumping difference.”-Publishers Weekly, starred review "One of the most exciting picture books of 2015."--Kirkus Reviews “A whimsical tale from Barnett aptly accompanied by enthralling artwork by Robinson.”--School Library Journal, starred review "Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson's deceptively simple ghost story examines deep themes of perception and truth, friendship and loyalty."--Shelf Awareness "There is nothing spooky about this moving story of friendship, acceptance, and belonging."--Boston Globe “Touching.”--The Horn Book Magazine "One of the year’s best picture books."--Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast "This deceptively simple story examines deep themes of perception and truth, friendship and loyalty."-- Shelf Awareness, starred review "A charming little ghost who easily captures the reader’s heart."-- Kid Lit Reviews "An enchanting tale that will linger in the memories of all who read (or hear) it."-- Books4YourKids "A charming story of friendship and acceptance, told with crisp poignancy, enchanting retro-style artwork, and astute childlike perception."--School Library Journal "The story has a light touch, but there's so much depth: a fearful ghost, a take-charge girl, and interracial friendship, and a tale in which fear is integrally and sweetly tied to positive qualities of imagination."--The New York Times New York Times Best Illustrated Book of The Year “A tender, touching story of friendship and the power of imagination.”-Booklist, starred review "This gentle tale of friendship and acceptance is feather-light yet enchanting enough to be read over and over."--The Washington Post "Don’t be afraid: This is a ghost story that will warm your heart."--BookPage " A terrific little story about an unwanted ghost that finds a new friend."--Design Mom Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year About Friendship Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year "Defends the joy of invisible playfellows with captivating artwork and text that is a pleasure to read aloud."-- Wall Street Journal Christian Robinson has illustrated several acclaimed picture books, including Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker , which received the Coretta Scott King Honor, a Robert F. Sibert Honor, a Bologna Ragazzi Honor Award for nonfiction, and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor. He lives in San Francisco, California. Mac Barnett is the New York Times bestselling author of many picture books, including Telephone and Extra Yarn , which won a Caldecott Honor, the Boston Globe–Horn Book