Does it feel like fall yet? I’m writing this in September, with the temperatures still raging in the nineties! Hopefully by the time you’re reading this, I’ll need a hot mug of tea to ward off the chill in the air. Though let’s be honest, I’m having tea either way. Whatever your cozy drink of choice, snuggle in and try some of these seasonal reads!
Picture Books
“Three Little Witches and the Spooky Old House” written by Peggy Archer and illustrated by Gaia Bordicchia
The book opens with a spooky and derelict Victorian mansion. The three little witches move in and get to work! They sweep the house, build a roaring fire, and cook up a surprise in a giant cauldron. The colors in the illustrations gradually become brighter and more welcoming, and by the time guests arrive, the house is ready for a party!
Traditional Halloween monsters are welcomed in for hot apple cider and popcorn from the cauldron. Reassuringly cozy for little ones that might not want the scares, this book also uses plenty of onomatopoeia to make for a great read-aloud.
“The House With Nobody In It” written and illustrated by Jon Klassen
Although a board book, this one is actually a bit spookier than the last. The book is shaped like a house, and features offset die-cut doors and windows on each page. The deadpan narration starts outside the house: “There is nobody in this house. There used to be somebody. But there is nobody now. Let’s go look inside.”
As the reader turns the pages, the narrator describes the sparse contents of the rooms: “This room has a chair in it. Let’s go into the next room.” As the sun sets and the pages grow darker, a ghost appears in one of the rooms—entirely ignored by the narrator. Yet as the pages turn, the ghost silently stares out at the reader through the empty doorways and windows. Some kids will delight in pointing out the contradiction (there’s somebody RIGHT THERE!!), while others may be more unnerved, or maybe even ponder the meaning of “nobody.” Simple and classic, this author is a master of his craft.
Chapter Books
“Remember Me, Daphne” by Celia Krampien
Next up is a slow build gothic horror, but with a lot of sweet friendship moments. Flora has always had trouble connecting with people at school, and longs for a true best friend. When a family moves into the creepy house across the street, Flora is thrilled they have a girl her age.
Flora and the new girl—Mac—quickly become friends, but she keeps noticing little things that seem off. Items at the house go missing, doors slam and lights flicker. Flora thinks she sees a creepy face in the window, and Mac’s little brother is acting really weird. What’s more, Mac’s mom is always hovering, and when the family occasionally mentions a girl named Daphne, they quickly change the subject. While there are a lot of genuinely scary moments, the excellent black-and-white illustrations help to break up the suspense a little bit, even as they expand the story. A ghost story that’s about friendship just as much as it’s about the scares.
“Transylvania County” by Jenny Howard
Lastly, I’ve got a Dracula interpretation. Dig Romer is only 12, but he’s been kicked out of boarding schools all over Europe. His exasperated parents send him to live in small-town U.SA. with his aunt and uncle. They have a brainy overachiever son named Elliot, and the adults all hope he’ll be a positive influence in Dig’s life.
Dig soon discovers that his new home is rife with legends and myths about cryptids, and it’s even rumored to be the final resting place of Dracula himself. When people start to go missing, the clueless adults dismissively wave their hands, so naturally Dig rounds up some other kids to help him investigate. With plenty of Dracula references (the new gym teacher, Coach Renfield, is super suspicious!), this Scooby Gang-inspired adventure is a satisfying supernatural romp.
