October is here...my favourite month of the year (mainly because it's my birthday this month). I absolutely love getting the house Autumn ready, and then decorating for Halloween- our house is already covered in pumpkins!
My October theme for reading is of course all things magical and spooky, so have a look below for my recommendations of the month!
EYFS
There's a ghost in this house-Oliver Jeffers
Hello, come in. Maybe you can help me?
A young girl lives in a haunted house, but has never seen a ghost. Are they white with holes for eyes? Are they hard to see? She'd love to know! Step inside and turn the transparent pages to help her on an entertaining ghost hunt, from behind the sofa, right up to the attic.
A captivating new picture book with interactive transparent pages, from world-renowned artist Oliver Jeffers. With lots of friendly ghost surprises and incredible mixed media illustrations, this unique and funny book will entertain young readers over and over again!
Year 1
Vampire Peter-Ben Manley
This comic picture book cleverly demonstrates the dangers of being swayed by popular opinion. New boy Peter is quickly branded the baddest boy in school and it does indeed seem that he’s given to doing naughty things. So when the school’s pet rat goes missing from his cage, everyone assumes Peter is responsible. Only one person knows the truth, and that Peter’s bad behaviour is not what it seems either. The book explores the dynamics of any classroom while also showing us that strange or different doesn’t equal bad and that categorising people on assumptions is never a good idea. Peter is a very charming little character, with his cape, fangs and lacy collar, and the story is beautifully told by its mystery narrator. Original, memorable, and lots of fun
Year 2
The Witchling's wish-Sarah Massini
A magical, beautifully illustrated picture book about what it means to be a friend.
Little Witchling lives alone in her mountain top and more than anything else, she wishes for a friend. So, when her spell-book tells her that the secret ingredient is the fur from a little girl's favourite teddy, she knows what she must do. But the teddy belongs to Lilly, who can't bear to part with him. Will Little Witchling give up her dream of a real friend? Or just maybe, is there a way for her and Lilly to make the wish come true, together?
With a heart-warming rhyming text and breath-taking illustrations from Sarah Massini, this magical friendship story is perfect for little witches everywhere!
Year 3
Cheesmares-Ross Collins
Hal is convinced there's a connection between his favourite cheesy snacks and the horrible nightmares he keeps having. So he sets off on a mission with Rufus the dog to solve his cheese mares once and for all. But will he ever escape from the horror he faces in The Evil House of Cheese and is he really tough enough to take on the evil cows?
A hilarious nightmare-fuelled tale from superstar author-illustrator Ross Collins, particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 7+.
Year 4
The Beast and the Bethany-Jake Meggitt-Phillips
Ebenezer Tweezer is a youthful 511-year-old. He keeps a beast in the attic of his mansion, who he feeds all manner of things (including performing monkeys, his pet cat and the occasional cactus) and in return the beast vomits out presents for Ebenezer, as well as potions which keep him young and beautiful. But the beast grows ever greedier, and soon only a nice, juicy child will do. So when Ebenezer encounters orphan Bethany, it seems like (everlasting) life will go on as normal. But Bethany is not your average orphan ...
The Beast and the Bethany has all the classic macabre humour of Roald Dahl with the warmth and charm of Despicable Me, finished off with a gleeful bite of Little Shop of Horrors!
Year 5
The book of stolen dreams-David Farr
An exhilarating, awe-inspiring debut from a master storyteller writing for children for the first time, perfect for fans of Philip Pullman, Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson.
When Rachel and Robert are passed a stolen book by their librarian father, they have to go on the run and protect it at all costs. With their father captured and everyone hunting for the Book, they must uncover its secrets and track down the final, missing page. But the cruel and calculating Charles Malstain is on their trail. When the children discover the astonishing, magical truth about the Book, they resolve to do everything in their power to stop it falling into his hands. For if it does, he could rule forever. Step inside the pages of an immortal adventure and discover a truly unforgettable journey of wonder, courage and magic..
Year 6
Freeze- Chris Priestly
Master of horror Chris Priestley – dubbed “the M.R James of children’s literature” – returns with Freeze; a series of multi-narrative ghostly tales, each more terrifying than the last...Filled with Chris’s creepy illustrations and heartpounding twists and turns, this collection of stories will delight those who enjoy a thrill with their reads.
When Maya and her classmates are asked to write a creepy story with a winter theme, they come up with some brilliant ideas. Rising floodwaters uncover long-buried bodies and ghostly children take to the ice on a frozen canal. But as each of the stories is read out in class, Maya grows more and more uncomfortable. She features in each of her friends' creepy tales and they start to feel a little too real.
Finally, when a mysterious new girl stands up to read the last story of the day, the light outside dims and it starts to snow. The classroom starts to freeze but everyone is trapped. Can Maya stop the story before the nightmare comes true?