cover image Four-Legged Ghost

Four-Legged Ghost

Mary Hoffman. Dial Books, $13.99 (96pp) ISBN 978-0-8037-1466-3

Hoffman ( Amazing Grace ) proves she has a few new tricks up her sleeve with this rollicking fantasy about furry phantoms. Because Carrie has asthma, the only pet she and her brother Alex are allowed to keep is Cedric, a white mouse. Alex and Carrie don't understand how Cedric does it, but he summons up the ghosts of all the animals that ever lived in their house. Suddenly their home is overrun with the spectres of rabbits, cats, dogs--even a tiger and a rhinoceros. An unexpected hero comes to the aid of the children after their tiny mouse cooks up a huge amount of trouble. Though the plot is simple, readers will enjoy the mounting tension as more and more ghosts appear, and they will eagerly anticipate the resolution of this spirited supernatural tale. Illustrations not seen by PW. Ages 7-11. (Sept.)