Spooky books are a perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit, blending a fun mix of eerie thrills and playful scares. Whether these stories feature haunted houses, mischievous ghosts, creepy creatures, or enchanted forests, they introduce young readers to lighthearted frights, while books intended for older readers might offer slightly darker, more suspenseful tales. Here are a few of our favourite spooky reads, some new, and some that we come back to time and again in October...
Room On the Broom by Julia Donaldson (3+): This lovely 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 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 humor and horror keeps the story gripping while it still focuses on heartwarming themes of bravery and resourcefulness.
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 life-the-flap door and a delightful mirror ending.
Old MacDonald had a Pumpkin by Katrina Charman (3+): A Halloween twist on the classic nursery rhyme, with delightful seasonal illustrations and a lovely fold out trick or treat ending.
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 that has become a spooky season classic.
Hubble Bubble: The Super Spooky Fright Night by Tracey Corderoy (5+): Discover 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.
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.
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.
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.
