Leonard Grows a Haunted Garden

PreS-Gr 3–Ciccotello brings readers back to the charmingly quirky world of Leonard, the ghost who built a house for his spirited family. This time, Leonard has set his ghost heart on a new adventure: a haunted garden! His family is puzzled, though, as tiny graves turn into flower beds and the feeder attracts birds, not bats. The storytelling is lighthearted and playful, with a gentle sense of humor that younger readers will enjoy. The illustrations by Ciccotello (Leonard Builds a Haunted House) are simple yet engaging, showing just enough detail to bring Leonard’s spooky-but-sweet world to life. The palette and theme strike the right balance between haunted and heartwarming, making it a solid seasonal pick for fall or ­Halloween story times that succeeds as a fun, easy-to-read tale that delivers exactly what it promises: a not-too-spooky, entertaining picture book. Ideal for a quick read-aloud, it’s perfect for little ones who enjoy gentle ghost stories.