To Catch a Ghost

Wilson’s winsome book coaches readers in ghost-catching with practical guidelines that demonstrate psychological acuity. Opening pages present a need to bring something for show-and-tell, suggesting, “If you’ve got gumption, that something could be a ghost.” Ensuing advice, presented in three parts, succinctly instructs how to “find,” “observe,” and “catch” an appropriate subject via methods that include personality profiling (“Are they snazzy or sneaky?/ Scary or scaredy?”) and constructing a bespoke trap. But while narration urges strength around locking the ghost inside (“DO NOT hesitate”), illustrations convey a more sorrowful reality when the shade’s saucer eyes peer through the cage bars, leaving the protagonist to consider the possibility that releasing the spirit might be a more empathetic choice—and may even make for solid show-and-tell material. Spare, navy-outlined, chalk pastel and acrylic artwork is digitally layered for a fuzzy, softening effect that suits the mood of this story. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8. (July)