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Discover Thrills and Chills in Tales for the Young and Young at Heart
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The Coraline movie opens in '09.
Halloween arrived earlier than usual this year for my 8-year-old, who quickly fell under the spell of the deliciously spooky Coraline in class and insisted that we read this book every night before bedtime. No arguments there. I think I enjoyed it as much as she did!
Below are more spine-tingling and tickling tales, old and new, guaranteed to get you and your family in the Halloween spirit. For added fun, pitch a makeshift tent indoors (or a real one outdoors) and read by flashlight.
For the Big Kids
Coraline by Neil Gaiman (9 and up): This modern ghost story serves up a sublime mix of chills and charm that keeps you guessing—and rooting for our ingenious heroine as she ventures through a mysterious locked door. On the other side is a shadowy parallel world, where her “other mother” has gleaming black-button eyes, ashy white skin and ill intent. A chatty black cat and singing mice add to the adventure.
The Secrets of Droon series by Tony Abbott (8 and up): Billed as "The Magic Treehouse meets Harry Potter," this series also features a magical doorway. It is more fantastical than frightening in the early books but gets scarier once Lord Sparr and his band of witches enter the picture.
The Witches by Roald Dahl (8 and up): “Real” witches—not the fairy tale kind with “silly black hats and black cloaks” and broomsticks—are after a 7-year-old boy in this witty and imaginative tale by the quirkily dark Dahl. His description of the witches’ pure hatred for children gives you the chills!
The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket (10 and up): The first installment of A Series of Unfortunate Events, this book warns readers from the start: “In this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle.” Fiendish Count Olaf puts the “ick” in “wicked” as he plots to steal the fortune of the Baudelaire orphans, Violet, Klaus and Sunny.
Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine (9 and up): Zombies, vampires, mummies, monsters and a horde of other creatures creep into the lives of ordinary kids and wreak havoc. “The Campfire Collection” is perfect for sleepovers and campouts because of its scary spin on summer camp.
Poe (Illustrated Unicorn edition) by Edgar Allen Poe (11 and up): No one does it quite like Poe, whose characters are driven to do evil deeds out of fear, vengeance or utter insanity. Younger children can sample poems like “Annabel Lee” and “The Raven.”
For the Little Ones
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman: Before a witch can bake her annual pumpkin pie, she must first uproot the giant fruit. To do that, she must call on her friends: a ghost, a vampire, a mummy and a bat. This vividly illustrated picture book teaches kids about teamwork and sharing without being condescending.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz: Peanuts fans eagerly anticipate this TV special every Halloween, and now readers can enjoy it year-round. Linus’s faith in the Great Pumpkin is put to the test during his long, cold wait at the pumpkin patch. The rest of the Peanuts gang goes trick-or-treating, except for loyal Sally, who lends support. The sweetest scene is when Lucy tucks her sleepy little brother into bed.
Angelina’s Halloween by Katharine Holabird: Angelina Ballerina and her friend, Alice, want to be pretty fireflies for Halloween and insist that her little sister, Polly, be something else. While trick-or-treating with friends, they get more than one surprise scare!
Dora’s Halloween Adventure by Sarah Willson: When Dora and Boots voyage through the Spooky Forest, your child can help them find her missing Halloween candy by lifting a total of 19 flaps. Truth be told, kids never tire of going on a candy hunt!
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