Books for Hallowe’en

As Hallowe’en approaches, here is Books for Keeps’ selection of bewitching and spooky new titles, from picture books to novels.

Meg Goes to Bed by Helen Nicoll, ill. Jan Pienkowski, Puffin, 32pp, 978 0 14 133123 2, £5.99 pbk
Meg and Mog has long been a favourite with young readers. Now there is a new Meg title, Meg Goes to Bed, in which Mog the cat and Owl are hungry. Helpful Meg makes a spell but it all goes wrong… With its bold, bright artwork, this little picture book is a welcome addition to the Meg series. (Under 5s)

Tobias and the Super Spooky Ghost Book by Tom Percival, HarperCollins, 32pp, 978 0 00 733739 2, £6.99 pbk
Tobias is a lonely little ghost who longs to have someone to try out his magic on. When a little girl moves in next door he can’t wait to play some spooky tricks on her – but she turns out to be more than a match for him. Lots of lively fun. (Under 5s)

Winnie in Space by Valerie Thomas, ill. Korky Paul, Oxford, 32pp, 978 0 19 273218 7, £10.99 hbk
This is the latest Winnie the witch adventure in which Winnie decides to make her dream of visiting space a reality and with her magic wand and several abracadabras creates a splendid spaceship. She and her long-suffering cat Wilbur (and a well stocked picnic basket) set off for a visit to the planets. Along the way they meet up with metal-eating space rabbits and Winnie has to do some extra special magic to ensure she and Wilbur return home safely. This new adventure will be enjoyed by all Winnie and Wilbur fans. As usual the text and illustrations sit well together with lots of visual and written jokes. (Under 5s)

Spooky Street by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins, Walker, 24pp, 978 1 4063 2064 0, £9.99 novelty hbk
Welcome to Spooky Street a novelty book that invites you to ‘lift the flaps – if you dare!’ Whether you enter Cauldron Cottage, The Hauntings, Gory Grange or the Creepy Corner Shop, there are lots of horrid frights behind each door culminating in the final dramatic surprise when you open the last double page spread. For intrepid young readers who don’t scare easily! (Under 5s)

The Three Little Witches by Georgie Adams, ill. Emily Bolam, Orion ‘Early Reader’, 96pp, 978 1 4440 00801, £4.99 pbk
The Three Little Witches with its charming full colour illustrations is witchy fun for confident new readers. ‘Hubble, bubble! Meet Zara, Ziggy and Zoe.’ These three little witches are planning a Hallowe’en party. The incidents are reassuringly familiar but with the added ingredient of magic to make the lessons lively, rescue the recipe that goes wrong, foil the cheating wizard boys and the mean witch, Melissa, and, of course ensure the party goes with a swing. (5-8)

Frightfully Friendly Ghosties: Ghostly Holler-Day by Daren King, ill. David Roberts, Quercus, 128pp, 978 0 85738 045 6, £5.99 pbk
The ghosties are a frightfully good bunch to get to know and this latest title, Frightfully Friendly Ghosties: Ghostly Holler-Day by Daren King with illustrations by David Roberts is an excellent addition to the series. The Frightfully Friendly Ghosties receive a postcard from Headless Leslie and it sets them on the path of a seaside holiday. This is a light-hearted carry on that will entertain and leave young readers wanting more. (8-10)

The White Wand by Martin Howard, ill. Colin Stimpson, Pavilion, 224pp, 978 1 84365 134 5, £7.99 hbk
The sequel to The Wickedest Witch, The White Wand with its quirky and appealing illustrations takes up the story of Esmelia Sniff, an aged and decrepit witch with a strong attachment to the grubby side of magic. Sam is her apprentice. Sam is a very talented young witch with a stronger interest in the wholesome side of magic. Both are hostile to a witch named Diabolica or Deadly Nightshade, who holds the enviable title of Most Superior High and Wicked Witch. Yes, that’s it: this is a comical and very enjoyable book about magical practitioners. (8-10)

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett, ill. Paul Kidby, Doubleday, 352pp, 978 0 385 61107 7, £18.99 hbk
This is witch Tiffany Aching’s fourth Discworld adventure. Folk are becoming disenchanted, hostile even, towards witches in general; they are being corrupted by the evil machinations of The Cunning Man. This novel records Tiffany’s struggle and final confrontation with her dark enemy. The tale is told with confident vitality, there is Tiffany’s resilience, her almost unconscious attraction towards Preston, a late-developer private in the castle guard, a bevy of sharply caricatured minor players and the repulsive Cunning Man. (10-14)