Halloween is right around the corner. Here are three spooky books to get your youngsters in the mood, and maybe distract them from all that candy.
Ages 4 to 8
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything – Linda D. Williams
This picture book classic tells the tale of a little old lady whose fearlessness is challenged as she walks home through the woods one spooky, autumn night. With rhythmic storytelling and richly detailed illustrations, this is a ghost story that is sure to mesmerize young readers and give them chills without giving them nightmares.
Ages 8 to 11
The Witches – Roald Dahl
After being sent to live with his grandmother, who just happens to be an expert on witches, an eight-year-old orphan discovers that his grandmother’s stories and warnings are true when he overhears a convocation of witches plotting terrible things for the children of England. Before he can warn anyone, the witches capture him and turn him into a mouse. As you’d expect from Roald Dahl, this children’s classic is full of twisted humor and unexpected surprises.
Age 12 and Up
Coraline – Neil Gaiman
Coraline tells the tale of a neglected little girl who finds a key that unlocks a door to another house that is eerily like her own, with another mother and another father who are eager to make her their own. But the house has differences, too – differences that grow more disturbing each time Coraline visits. This spine-tingling modern classic from Neil Gaiman is an excellent Halloween read for teens and adults alike.
