Jumble Joan; The Flat Man

Two deliciously creeply books. In Jumble Joan, a brother and friend Mick take his younger sister up to Grandma's dark and dusty attic to frighten her. An ancient rocking horse, a stuffed parrot in a cage and a wardrobe crammed with old clothes, are in turn props for the pair's scary storying which proves all too successful thanks to a helping hand from little sister.

The Flat Man is the product of another boy's lively imagination as he translates the sights and sounds in his darkened bedroom into an unlikely monster.

Children love to be frightened but at the same time like the reassurance of being in control. Rose Impey puts her characters firmly in charge, and the reader too by using a first-person telling. The mostly short lines of text add to the drama. Moira Kemp's illustrations in shadowy colours are suitably atmospheric. Absolutely ideal for readers of all ages up to ten and highly recommended.