Description
Description
A LitHub Most Anticipated Children's Book of 2025 From Matthew Forsythe, the creator of the acclaimed and beloved Pokko and the Drum, comes a surprising and pleasing picture book about rules. And sharing. And an epic game of tic-tac-toe. Aggie is very excited to live on her own--until she finds out her new house is haunted. But no fear, the situation is nothing that can't be fixed with a carefully considered list of rules: No haunting after dark. No stealing socks. No eating all the food. But the ghost doesn't like playing by the rules and challenges Aggie to an epic game of tic-tac-toe--winner gets the house.
About the Author
About the Author
Matthew Forsythe is the author-illustrator of Pokko and the Drum, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book. He is also an illustrator for animated films and television. His credits include Adventure Time, The Midnight Gospel, and Robin Robin, a stop-motion animated musical from Aardman Animations and Netflix. He lives in Los Angeles. Visit him at ComingUpforAir.net.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
* The third picture book from Forsythe confirms the author-illustrator's trademark style, marked by
whimsical storytelling, absurd humor, and surprising page-turns.... Forsythe's wry text is tight and deadpan, set against a richly rendered setting of softly blended peaches and blues, a bit more stripped down than in previous titles, holding a tone that is at once inviting and immersive--but with a gentle edge.... A subtle, sweet friendship story from a true original coming into his full picture-book powers.--Booklist STARRED REVIEW "July 2025" [T]he book as a whole successfully leans more toward weird than pedantic, eschewing a familiar friendship storyline for one that plenty of introverted youngsters will find resonant. There's lots of potential here for beginning readers, with stealthy repetition, short but guiding sentences, and a steady, compelling pace, all elevated by snarky humor.--BCCB "June 2025" A witty year-round ghost tale that delivers a wonderfully unconventional conclusion. --Kirkus "June 15, 2025" [A] book that captures the dance of unlikely bonds and a way to move from a place of acceptance. --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW "5/12/2025"
whimsical storytelling, absurd humor, and surprising page-turns.... Forsythe's wry text is tight and deadpan, set against a richly rendered setting of softly blended peaches and blues, a bit more stripped down than in previous titles, holding a tone that is at once inviting and immersive--but with a gentle edge.... A subtle, sweet friendship story from a true original coming into his full picture-book powers.--Booklist STARRED REVIEW "July 2025" [T]he book as a whole successfully leans more toward weird than pedantic, eschewing a familiar friendship storyline for one that plenty of introverted youngsters will find resonant. There's lots of potential here for beginning readers, with stealthy repetition, short but guiding sentences, and a steady, compelling pace, all elevated by snarky humor.--BCCB "June 2025" A witty year-round ghost tale that delivers a wonderfully unconventional conclusion. --Kirkus "June 15, 2025" [A] book that captures the dance of unlikely bonds and a way to move from a place of acceptance. --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW "5/12/2025"
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Pub date:
2025-08-19
Length:
64 pages
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