Autumn has always been my favourite season with the darker evenings, crisp mornings and colourful vistas across the parks and forests. It also means cosy evenings with a great book. Any one of these will enchant and engage readers, of varying ages!
Who’s in the Pumpkin by Pat-A-Cake and Dean Gray, Published by Pat-a-Cake
A very sweet and colourful look at trick or treating for young readers. As Daddy Ghost looks for baby ghost, he finds plenty of familiar Halloween characters along the way, but they are not dark and frightening. They are funny, friendly and cute. A great story for spooky voices and chilling sounds, this would be a lot of fun to read with a toddler or young child. Fantastic illustrations and large text make it perfect for sharing.
Tales of the Damned by Matt Ralphs and Taylor Dolan, Published by Big Picture Press
Everything from the cover and endpapers to the text and illustrations screams horror and it is perfect for the spooky season. Featured in this tome are 8 retellings of stories like Dracula, Bluebeard and Red Riding Hood. Thoroughly chilling, I had to keep a light on to keep the shadows at bay. Gothic and creepy illustrations allow the reader’s imaginations to run wild and send chills up their spines. Perfect for Autumn nights.
I’m Not Scared, You Are! By Patricia Hegarty and Thomas Elliott, Published by Little Tiger
This book is so much fun, even my teens joined in and loved pressing the sound buttons. The story is amplified by 24 sounds highlighting the dark and twisting tale with two characters discovering the sights, sounds and spooks on their journey. This rhyming tale will add a sense of fun and playfulness to the spooky scene and readers will have endless fun pressing sounds and perhaps even adding their own to the story.
Scarygirl by Nathan Jurevicius, Published by Allen & Unwin
I am late to the party with Scarygirl as I haven’t seen the film but what I absolutely adore about this book is the perfect blend of graphic novel and wordless picture book. Being a big fan of both, this allows each reader to interpret and interact with the story differently, even if you have watched the film. Wonderfully brought to life, this is an epic read for all ages. This is one for my permanent collection!
The Thirteenth Vampire by Alice Hemming and Kayt Bochenski, Published by Scholastic
A legend has survived and one girl is determined to solve the mystery even though the previous girls have never returned. Vivi is headed to Castle Bezna to work for the Countess, a mysterious figure. Strange events take place and Vivi becomes increasingly aware of her precariousness in the castle. This book will have you biting your nails and checking under your bed before you go to sleep, it may also make you hesitate before visiting a castle at night!
Welcome to Camp Killer by Cynthia Murphy and Ali Ardington, Published by Barrington Stoke
This perfect length book fits plenty of peril and terrifying twists into its pages. Readers will be swept straight into the action as they arrive at the new residential camp set in a stately home where rumours and near misses abound. Perfect for readers wanting a fearful read without the intense length, this book hits the mark and will have readers hooked. Camp Miller or Camp Killer- would you work there?
The Tindims of Rubbish Island and the Spooky Secret by Sally Gardner and Lydia Corry, Published by Zephyr
The Tindims are back and this time they are introduced to the spooky season of Halloween. This series is a joy to read for several reasons- it is written and illustrated by mother-daughter duo and it is all about sustainability and saving the environment. The Tindims are delightful and ideal for young readers building their reading stamina and enjoyment of finding a series of books. A joy from cover to cover!
A Taste of Darkness curated by Amy McCaw and Maria Kuzniar, Published by Scholastic
This collection of stories is not for the feint-hearted. They are chilling, spooky and intense- perfect for teen readers and brave adults! The perfect number of 13 stories for the season, the attention to detail is amazing. The contributing authors are some of the top YA writers out there at the moment and their stories are deliciously dark and spooky! This is a must have for Autumn!
I am a primary school teacher, turned librarian. I am Children’s Librarian for Suffolk Libraries, a job I adore!
I read constantly and have more books than bookshelves, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
I celebrate reading every day at work I am currently Vice Chair on the National Executive Committee for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups!
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My Shelves Are Full 