EXTON, PA — A little ghost who would rather make a friend than frighten one is floating into Exton this fall as Chester County children’s author John F. Rappold Jr. brings his debut picture book to Barnes & Noble for a family story time and signing.
Rappold will read “The Little Ghost & The New Friend” on Oct. 10, introducing young readers to Wisp, a gentle, glowing ghost whose search for companionship leads him to a new neighbor named Penelope.
The free event will give families a chance to hear the story from the local author whose own childhood in Chester County helped inspire it.
“The idea for this story grew straight out of my own childhood in an old house here in beautiful Chester County,” Rappold said. “At night the attic would make the most mysterious creaks and cracks. I’d lie in bed imagining there was a friendly ghost living up there — someone kind and quiet who was just waiting for the right moment to make a new friend.”
That imagined attic visitor eventually became Wisp.
In the book, Wisp lives in an old house at the edge of town, where he spends his nights quietly watching the moonlight rather than trying to scare anyone. Despite the peaceful surroundings, he is lonely and wishes for a friend.
Then, on an autumn evening, a light appears in the abandoned house next door. Wisp discovers that Penelope has moved in and decides to introduce himself, setting up a story about friendship, kindness, and whether the little ghost can make a new companion without accidentally frightening her away.
- What: Story time and signing with John F. Rappold Jr., author of “The Little Ghost & The New Friend”
- When: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at 11 a.m.
- Where: Barnes & Noble Exton, 301 Main Street, Main Street at Exton, Exton, PA 19341
- Cost/Tickets: Free; families are welcome
For Rappold, the story also connects his creative work with the community where its inspiration began. The children’s author lives in Chester County and also serves the community as a local police officer.
“The Little Ghost & The New Friend” is his debut picture book, but Rappold is already planning additional gentle adventures for Wisp and his friends.
With its cozy autumn setting, friendly ghost, and distinctly local origin story, the Exton event gives families a seasonal story-time outing while offering young readers a chance to meet the Chester County author who transformed mysterious nighttime noises from his childhood into Wisp’s world.
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