Online reader copies are all the rage right now, it is environmental and quick and easy to receive. Of course, I sometimes have a hard time reading books from them, but The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs by Mamiko Shiotani and translated by Polly Lawson was an exception. I tend to be able to read picture books online as there is less text and more space to enjoy the overall work. This was especially true with Shiotani’s book. The illustrations and text was Goldilocks/Baby Bear just right. 
This just rightness was a delightful story about coming out of your comfort zone but has a few twists to keep it fresh and interesting. And unlike many books, the out of your comfort zone person is not a person, but the grumpy ghost. Who likes to be grumpy and does not like it when a human child comes into their space in the attic. Of course, we the adult reader know things will work out, but it is the getting there that is the fun part to it.
The use of color and black and white is the perfect touch to add to the spooky element of an actually not really spooky ghost and the sweetness of the child that is involved with getting our Grumpy Spirit out of their shell. As it is due early August 2025 that means that I will have time to read more books by the publisher and let you know about them. Also, I realized while researching other titles I have already read a few, such as The Paper Bridge by Joelle Veyrenc.