“Readalong With the Seasons” is a new series of posts offering suggestions for quality books to get you and your family “in the mood” for upcoming holidays! As Halloween approaches, I’ve hand-picked a short list of my favorite spooky tales.
Full-length novel: DRACULA by Bram Stoker
Written more than one hundred years ago, this classic horror novel became the foundation of much pop-culture vampire lore. It continues to thrill and chill modern readers. Dracula, an age-old vampire, comes to England for fresh victims, and an unlikely team of ordinary citizens fights to save the country (and one of their own members) from Dracula’s appetite.
For the kids: THE LITTLE OLD LADY WHO WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING by Linda Williams and Megan Lloyd
This classic has been around for twenty years–I had it read to me at school in second grade! A little old lady who is not afraid of anything gets chased home by a full set of clothes and an enormous pumpkin head. Will she overcome her fears and put these miscreants to good use?
BATS AT THE LIBRARY by Brian Lies
When the librarian leaves the library window open at night, bats take their opportunity to fly inside and have their turn at reading books. Cunningly illustrated with a particular attention to detail, this book will delight little ones with its rhymes and adorable presentation of friendly bats.
Short story: THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW by Washington Irving
Looking for a mood piece to read the day of, before Trick-or-Treaters show up? You have all Saturday for reading this year, so crack open Washington Irving’s classic story. Despite its old-school style and lack of gore, it creates a creepy atmosphere equal to that of any 1980’s slasher fest.
Happy reading, and Happy Halloween,
RHDavis
And you can’t beat Poe: “The Masque of the Red Death,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Fall of the House of Usher,” “The Pit and the Pendulum,” and “The Raven”!
Very true, Dr. D., very true. Poe is the quintessential literary source for all things creepy!
By the way, I owe you a word of thanks. The first copy of DRACULA I ever read was borrowed from you–and was probably part of a reading quota for your class! I creeped myself out reading it in an empty dorm the last night before spring break.