Reading some spooky stories together is a perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit, blending a fun mix of eerie thrills and playful scares! From haunted houses to mischievous ghosts, creepy creatures, to forbidden forests, spooky books introduce young readers to lighthearted frights and suspenseful tales. Here are a few of our favourite spooky reads for kids from about 3 to 12 years, some new, and some that we come back to time and again in October... you can also check out our ideas for fun Hallowe'en crafts and activities here!
Kevin The Vampire: A Most Mysterious Mystery by Matt Brown (7+): Full of hilarious and highly illustrated mayhem, this is the first in a brilliant and funny fantasy adventure series that is packed with all kinds of monsters.
Room On the Broom by Julia Donaldson (3+): This rhythmic, rhyming picture book about a witch who collects a crew of loyal friends who then resourcefully help her to evade a nasty dragon has become a real classic.
The Witches by Roald Dahl (9+): Dahl’s dark fantasy about “real” witches is an absolute classic, with wonderful characters and truly terrifying villains! Dahl’s signature blend of humour and horror keeps the story gripping while it still focuses on heartwarming themes of bravery and resourcefulness.
Mallory Vayle And The Curse Of Maggoty Skull by Martin Howard (9+): A super spooky, super funny book about a talkative skull and a necromancer-in-training! A page turner for middle grade readers from beginning to end. Look out for the equally exciting sequels in this series.
Amelia Fang and The Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson (5+): The first in a gorgeous series about Amelia and her somewhat ghoulish but loveable friends. The series is gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny, with lovely illustrations and great vocabulary.
Guess Who? Boo to You! by Kate Woolley (2+): A gorgeous and not-too-spooky picture book that is the perfect introduction to Halloween for little ones, with friendly characters, surprises under every lift-the-flap door and a delightful mirror ending.
Dracula and Daughters by Emma Carroll (8+): An unputdownable gothic adventure! Temstown is about to welcome its very first vampire healing company, and their first case is certainly close to the heart! Look out for the exciting sequel too!
The Skull by Jon Klassen (6+) A wonderfully eerie yet gentle Halloween story with gorgeous illustrations. On a dark night, a girl stumbles across a lonely, abandoned house deep in the forest. Inside waits a skull, who has a secret of its own. Together, they discover the strength that comes from courage and kindness.
Goth Girl and the Ghost Of A Mouse by Chris Riddell (7+): Packed with adventure and humour, this is the first in a deliciously dark series with wonderful illustrations. There's a dastardly plot to unravel at the spooky Ghastly-Gorm Hall.
Coraline by Neil Gaiman (10+): A deliciously creepy, gripping novel for tweens or teens that has become a spooky season classic.
Gobbolino The Witch's Cat by Ursula Williams (7+): The charming tale of a witch's cat who would rather be a kitchen cat and who embarks upon an adventure to find a new home.
Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathon Stroud (10+): Genuinely unsettling and dripping with otherworldly atmosphere, the first instalment of the Lockwood and Co. series sees a motley collection of ghost-hunters on a terrifying mission to save their reputation!
Vlad, The World's Worst Vampire by Anna Wilson (5+): The gentle and funny story of Vlad, the youngest member of the Impaler family, the bravest vampires that ever lived. But Vlad isn’t very brave at all.
How To Make Friends With A Ghost by Rebecca Green (3+): A comforting ghostly tale for Hallowe'en, with gorgeous illustrations and a heart-warming story that portrays the afterlife in a positive way.
Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia S Drago (3+): With gorgeous illustrations, this book tells a sweet and offbeat story of friendship and courage, and one very shy ghost.
