Hallowe’en is just around the corner and we are seeing pumpkins and spiders everywhere! We love a good spooky read at this time of year and there are some fabulous books for children that are perfect for enjoying at this time of year. Here’s just a few of our favourites:
Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball by Laura Ellen Anderson: The first in a gorgeous series about Amelia and her somewhat ghoulish friends. The series is gorgeously gothic and wickedly funny, with lovely illustrations and great vocabulary to be devoured by voracious young readers aged 7+
Hubble Bubble: The Super Spooky Fright Night by Tracey Corderoy: The hugely entertaining adventures of Pandora and her Granny Crow, a witch with the tendency to “get excited and go too far” where magic and spells are concerned are perfect for Hallowe’en. The two-color cartoon illustrations add to the atmosphere of benevolently chaotic magic, making this book perfect for readers aged 5+
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green: A beautifully illustrated picture book that tells what you should do when you meet a ghost—and it may not be what you think! A sweet story for younger readers aged 3+
Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell: Each book in the fabulous Goth Girl series is a wonderfully witty parody of a gothic novel, packed with silly puns, hilarious literary references and, of course, Riddell's amazing illustrations. Featuring vampires, ghosts and more, this will appeal to readers aged 8+ while also, we suspect, keeping parents well entertained!
The Witches by Roald Dahl: Dahl’s dark fantasy about “real” witches is a classic, with wonderful characters and truly terrifying villains! A perfect spooky read for age 9+
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler: Bonaparte the skeleton is falling apart—both literally and figuratively—but his good friends are at the ready to put him back together again. Kids aged 3+ will love this tale that's more heartwarming than horror.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman: Chilling and thrilling this dark story has become a classic, with its eerie setting and captivating plot. A fantastic read for children aged 10+
