Gus Loved His Happy Home

The dust-jacket notes point out that the story brings Gus ``back from retirement''--and indeed the book has the feel of a different era, a time when picture books were stories first and foremost, and artwork was often understated. Thayer's new tale about Gus, a likable ghost who lives in a museum attic, is gently amusing as it recounts Gus's adventures when he's accidentally carried aloft by a kite, and sweetly reassuring when it brings him home again in the end (the very last line finds Gus back in his attic thinking, ``How I love, love, love my happy home''). It's a cozy book, and Fleishman's perky illustrations are right in keeping with the mood of snug familiarity. Ages 4-8. (Nov.)