7 fang-tastic Halloween books for kids aged 5 to 8

 

Sharing spooky books is a great way to add to kids’ excitement about upcoming Halloween celebrations. Reading aloud together is a great way for the whole family to get involved in the fun, though independent readers will no doubt love getting lost in a story and telling you all about it afterwards.

Whether you're spending Halloween at home or out and about with friends this year, why not make reading together part of a new tradition? You could even read aloud with family and friends via Zoom if you're celebrating at home!

Whether you’re after something charming, funny or chilling, we’ve picked 7 of our favourite chapter books that we think kids aged 5 to 8 will enjoy:

When Frankie Made a Human

A classic villain is turned into the good guy in this charming twist on a gothic tale. Frankie is fed up of his nasty monster classmates and bored of being lonely in freaky Frankenstein Castle. What he needs is a friend. But since monsters are mean and werewolves are scary, Frankie decides to make his own friend – a human!

Sherlock Bones and the Horror of the Haunted Castle

Betty Steady and the Toad Witch

Reggie Rabbit: The Ghost of Seagull Rock

Reggie Rabbit isn't sure about his best friend Pipsquark's other best friend, Kai. She seems too good to be true and he doesn't believe her stories about the terrifying ghost that is haunting Seagull Rock, where her family live. But when Reggie and Pipsquark are invited to Kai's for a sleepover, they hear the ghost howling with their own ears! Could it really be the phantom of seagull pirate Blackbeak? Or is something else afoot?

 

Fairy Tales Gone Bad: Zombierella & Frankenstiltskin

These are fantastic retellings of classic stories by award-winning poet, performer and Children's Laureate Joseph Coehlo. It’s the first in a new series – Fairy Tales Gone Bad – and is witty, gory, gutsy and brilliant. The story is told in verse which makes it great fun to read aloud and there are also fantastic illustrations from Freya Hartas throughout to enjoy. 
 

Vlad the World’s Worst Vampire

We sent this book by Anna Wilson to our subscribers a couple of years ago and it’s safe to say it was a hit! Little Vlad just wants to go to school like other kids, but his parents are focused on training him in their vampire ways. With important messages about being yourself and making friends, it’s a heart-warming story for the whole family to enjoy. Vlad is the most loveable vampire you’ll ever meet and the kids will be begging you to explore the rest of the series!

 

Night of the Living Ted

This hilariously entertaining tale from Barry Hutchison sees an army of zombie teddies threaten to take over the world. Can Lisa-Marie and her step-brother Vernon stop squabbling long enough to save the world? With great characters and a gripping plot, this laugh-out-loud adventure is a slightly more challenging read for those going it alone and perfect for reading aloud.

 

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