Wolfgang in the Meadow

An ambitious ghost learns a necessary lesson about balance in Wen’s fully imagined story. Wolfgang, who enjoys traditional ghostly exploits as well as time spent in nature, aspires to take over haunting the Dark Castle from his hero. When an opportunity to compete for the role of successor arises, the protagonist stops his meadow meandering and puts “all his spirit into his goal. He didn’t have time for non-spooky things.” His hard work pays off, and his walls are soon covered with flattering newspaper clippings and awards. But over time, Wolfgang feels something is “missing” and begins to lose his powers, until a chance encounter reconnects him with prior passions that are allowed to bloom once more. Working in graphite, gouache, and colored pencil strokes, Wen gives the spreads a smudgy but delicate quality that helps paint a gentle portrait of Wolfgang’s all-too-human need to achieve work/afterlife balance. Ages 4–8. (July)