THERE’S A GHOST IN THE GARDEN

Kyo Maclear & Katty Maurey | Enchanted Lion, USA | 8.75 x 11.25 inches |  56pp

When a child stays with a beloved grandparent, the two spend their time working in the garden. The youngster, who narrates, notes that there’s a ghost—or ghosts—that resides in their green space, evidenced by overturned pots and little trinkets left behind. As Grandpa and child, both light-skinned, continue to work, they reflect upon the whereabouts of these phantoms, on times gone by (“at the back of the house…there was an old bathtub…I would sit in…enjoying the sun like a sleepy turtle,” Grandpa tells the child), and on the beauty of just being. As the child’s visit comes to an end, the pair re-create the bathtub from Grandpa’s past using the very flora they so lovingly tended to; they sit in it and contemplate together. This quiet yet powerful book perfectly captures the emotional resonance of fleeting moments and the imprints they leave behind. Maclear’s stunning text is lengthy yet deliberately paced (“memory has a geography just like the world”), suggesting the meandering feeling of revisiting memories. Rendered in a light, earthy palette, Maurey’s 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 life—and a reminder to cherish memories.

Rights sold in French (for North America only) & Korea. All other rights available