Cute story, although it's more of a lighthouse story than a ghost story. The cat is adorably illustrated. ( )

Sailor Boy, the eponymous ghostly cat of this sweet picture-book adventure, narrates the story of his life and afterlife with Miss Maggie McCullen, the faithful keeper of the Port Carrick Lighthouse. Miss Maggie's companion in life, Sailor Boy stuck around afterward, no less loving and no less mischievous. Visible only when he chose, he enjoyed playing tricks on some of Miss Maggie's visitors. But when Miss Maggie had an accident, climbing the steps to the great light, Sailor Boy was all business, getting help from Miss Maggie's niece, and aiding her in getting the all-important light going...

Apparently the topic of lighthouse cats is a fairly popular one in the world of picture-books, to judge from such titles as Ruth Brown's Gracie, the Lighthouse Cat and Sue Stainton's The Lighthouse Cat. Eve Bunting's Ghost Cat takes young readers' fascinationg with lighthouses and their love of cats, and adds another dimension: ghosts. I found her story here sweet, but not particularly original or gripping. The artwork from Kevin Barry, on the other hand, was adorable, and really made Ghost Cat a pleasure to peruse. Sailor Boy himself is winsome, if a little wispy, and Barry captures wil feline charm quite well. Recommended to young cat lovers, and to children who enjoy stories about lighthouses and lighthouse-keepers. ( )