There's a Ghost in the Garden
By (Author) Kyo Maclear
Illustrated by Katty Maurey
Enchanted Lion Books
Enchanted Lion Books
10th January 2025
5th December 2024
United States
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories
Hardback
56
Width 222mm, Height 286mm, Spine 13mm
A gentle, probing picture book from award-winning author Kyo Maclear and celebrated illustrator Katty Maurey about the special relationship between a grandfather and his grandson, and the many traces, memories, and even ghosts with which we live
Theres a ghost in Grandpas garden. It leaves tracks by the path where there was once a cool dark stream. It makes mischief by knocking over flowerpots. And sometimes, it leaves behind a gift perfect for a curious boy, in the form of little treasures from times gone by.
The boy who is the narrator of this picture book loves spending time with his grandpa in the garden, enjoying the natural world, listening to memories of how things used to be, and making up stories about the friendly ghost. With Grandpa as his loving guide, the boy learns to look closely at the garden and marvel at its mysteries, to uncover the layers of history that make up this special place, and also to fashion new things from all that he has found.
STARRED REVIEW! This quiet yet powerful book perfectly captures the emotional resonance of fleeting moments and the imprints they leave behind. Maclears stunning text is lengthy yet deliberately paced, suggesting the meandering feeling of revisiting memories. Rendered in a light, earthy palette, Maureys dreamy gouache illustrations are a natural complement to the text, further evoking feelings of stillness, remembrance, and the strong yet gentle bonds of family. A subtle but potent look at the ephemeral nature of lifeand a reminder to cherish memories. * Kirkus *
Kyo Maclear is an essayist, novelist, and childrens author. She has written over 25 books for little and big people, many of which have been translated internationally. She holds a doctorate in environmental humanities and teaches writing in Tkaronto/Toronto, where she lives with a lively family of cats and musicians. Katty Maurey is an illustrator who has published many picture books. She is passionate about painting, sculpting, printmaking, and, most of all, marveling at the natural world. Among other distinctions, her work has been nominated for the Governor General Award in the childrens book category.