A LitHubMost Anticipated Children’s Book of 2025

“A book that captures the dance of unlikely bonds and a way to move from a place of acceptance.” —Publishers Weekly(starred review)

From Matthew Forsythe, the creator of the acclaimed and belovedPokko and the Drum, comes a “subtle, sweet” (Booklist,starred review) picture book about rules. And sharing. And an epic game of tic-tac-toe.

Aggie is very excited to live on her own–until she finds out her new house is haunted. But no fear, the situation is nothing that can’t be fixed with a carefully considered list of rules: No haunting after dark. No stealing socks. No eating all the food.

But the ghost doesn’t like playing by the rules and challenges Aggie to an epic game of tic-tac-toe–winner gets the house.