Or How My Science Project Destroyed the World, and illustrator Christian Robinson, who just won a Caldecott Honor this past month for Last Stop on Market Street, Leo: A Ghost Story explores the themes of loneliness, friendship and honesty. Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson create such a unique little story and empathetic characters, that I feel like children would get heavily invested in this picture book as well, and outwardly emote in reaction to the story as it goes.

Meeting a young girl named Jane on a sidewalk, Leo finds a companion, one who can see him, but who mistakes him for an imaginary friend. Despite Leo’s ghost status there is nothing spooky about this moving story of friendship, acceptance, and belonging. Without giving too much of the plot away, he finds a friend though there is a misunderstanding that must be a fairly common occurrence among ghosts. The lovely message of friendship in all forms is timeless and Barnett’s charm shines through each sentence.Of course I appreciate the appearing act orchestrated in the first two spreads, but part of me questions that usage of space for a narrative that ultimately is about two characters. Leo features much darker colors and a flat (literally two-dimensional, not boring), more childlike feel to the style, whereas Beekle is crisper and rounder and brighter.

Barnett and Robinson celebrate play, as Jane breaks gender roles and includes Leo among her imaginary friends. The simple story is deeper than it seems at first, about the power of perception, the innocence of childhood, and the longing to fit in. This tender, wistful tale of friendship, innocence, and belief is an absolute joy—simply and movingly told, with quirky illustrations that tug at the heartstrings even as they raise a smile. For many years, Leo lived by himself in a house on the edge of the city, reading books and drawing pictures in the dust. I also wondered if the thwarted robbery could have been more drawn out and suspenseful, but it was managed well enough.

Leo: A Ghost Story is a 2015 children's book written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson.

There are so many subtle, positive messages in this story, creeping into the brain through the eyes. I also enjoyed how he slightly changed his style for each character, and while the blues in this create a quite melancholy tone for a ghost story, the bold, blocky shapes interact this and become a tool to engage the audience. But that ambiguity keeps it from falling into the syrupy-sweet traps that make so many kids’ books so irritating.

It’s a warm and wise story about acceptance trumping difference—including that between life and death. Some bookmakers have achieved that goal well with depth and humor, but Leo: A Ghost Story doesn't make the cut. In any case, this was a sweet tale made all the better by Robinson's illustrations, done in acrylic paint and cut-out paper, in varying shades of blue, brown and black. The plot lost me when a burglar was tossed in from nowhere to create some artificial action, drama, and resolution.