Growing Bookworms – Great Halloween reads for children #Halloween #GrowingBookworms
Posted: October 11, 2023 Filed under: Children's Books, Growing Bookworms, Reading, Teaching children | Tags: Children's Books, Children's Stories, Growing Bookworms, Halloween, Writing to be Read 67 Comments
I didn’t grow up with Halloween. In fact, I learned about the Halloween festival much later in my life through social media and books.
Looking back on my childhood reading though, I always had a fascination with all things creepy and chilling. Below I’ve discussed two of my favourite childhood books about witches, monsters, and other fantasy and mythological creatures, as well as Michael and my latest Sir Chocolate book: Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon.
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Blurb
This is not a fairy-tale. This is about real witches. Real witches don’t ride around on broomsticks. They don’t even wear black cloaks and hats. They are vile, cunning, detestable creatures who disguise themselves as nice, ordinary ladies. So how can you tell when you’re face to face with one? Well, if you don’t know yet you’d better find out quickly-because there’s nothing a witch loathes quite as much as children and she’ll wield all kinds of terrifying powers to get rid of them.
My thoughts
I loved The Witches. The main characters of the book are a grandmother and her young grandson. Grandma comes from Norway and has had several experiences with real witches disguised as lovely and kind ladies. There are lots of way of identifying ‘real’ witches and Grandma passes this wisdom on to her young grandson. The story is told from the perspective of the unnamed grandson.
Following an illness, Grandma and her grandson book a holiday in a hotel near the sea. Grandma needs fresh ocean air to convalesce. When the pair arrive, a conference of the “Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children” is in progress. The grandson manages to get himself trapped behind a screen in the ball room where the conference is being held. It doesn’t take long before the lovely attendees of the conference are revealed to be witches. The Grand High Witch has come up with a plan to rid the world of its children and she is sharing this plan with all the witches of England.
It is up to Grandma and her grandson to stop the witches and save the children of England from a ghastly fate.
Grandma was such a wonderful character, full of creepy stories and antsy comments. I really enjoyed her, and this is one of my favourite Roald Dahl books.
You can purchase The Witches by Roald Dahl here: https://www.amazon.com/Witches-Roald-Dahl-ebook/dp/B00INIYHJQ
Which Witch by Iva Ibbotson
Blurb
Arriman the Awful, feared Wizard of the North, has decided to marry. But his wife must be a witch of the darkest powers…
A sorcery competition is held to discover which witch is the most potent and fiendish, and glamorous Madame Olympia conjures up a thousand plague-bearing rats! Belladonna, the white witch, desperately wants to be a wicked enchantress, but her magic produces flowers instead of snakes. How can she become more devilish than all the other witches?
My thoughts
Iva Ibbotson has many entertaining children’s books that feature witches, monsters, and other fantasy creatures. This one was the first of her books I read, and I never forgot it. When I had my own children, I searched for this book and purchased it to read to them.
Arriman the Awful, a dark and powerful wizard, lives in Darkington Hall. Arriman has become bored with his dark magic and decides to choose a wife from his hometown of Todcaster. He is aware of a prophecy that he will be replaced by a wizard with much greater powers than his own and believes this great dark wizard must be his son. Arriman doesn’t have any children and isn’t married so he decides to remediate this situation as quickly as possible.
Arriman decides to choose his wife through the holding of a contest between the seven witches of Todcaster: (Mabel Wrack, Ethel Feedbag, Mother Bloodworth, Nancy Shouter, Nora Shouter, Madame Olympia, and Belladonna). The witch who performs the darkest magical act will become his wife.
All the witches are black witches except for one: Belladonna. She is a white witch and is not able to perform acts of dark magic. Belladonna is, however, in love with Arriman the Awful and wants to win the contest.
Shortly before the contest, Belladonna meets an orphan boy named Terence Mugg. Belladonna is able to perform a really dark act of magic to rescue Terence from the dreadful and unking matron of the orphanage. The pair believe that Terence’s pet worm, Rover, is a powerful familiar and has enabled Belladonna to perform this black magic.
Belladonna and Terence, with the help of Rover, come up with a plan to ensure Belladonna wins the contest.
However, the best laid plans often go astray and this one is no exception.
You can purchase Which Witch by Eva Ibbotson here: https://www.amazon.com/Which-Witch-Eva-Ibbotson-ebook/dp/B003GGST7Q
Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon
How this book came to be published
Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon is the third book in Michael and my new “Sir Chocolate High days and Holidays” book series.
We decided to self-publish this new series which celebrates various Christian holidays and other international celebration days like Valentine and Halloween.
The source of these stories is mainly promotions for the Sir Chocolate book series that we have written over the last seven years since the first Sir Chocolate book, Sir Chocolate and the strawberry cream berries story and cookbook was published.
Our intention with this series is to share a fun, rhyming verse themed story and to include some fun activities (mainly baking and food art but there are some other activities included) that parents or caregivers can make with their children in line with the holiday or theme that is the focus of the book.
Sir Chocolate and the Chinese Candy Dragon is a Halloween themed book and includes three fabulous themed baking activities that children can make under parental guidance.
This book includes five fun limericks for children. This is one example:
Blurb
The Chinese Candy Dragon has taken all of Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet’s Halloween treats. Will he return the stolen goodies and mend his relationship with the villagers?
Includes three fun Halloween activities for children.
Book trailer
About Robbie Cheadle
Award-winning, bestselling author, Robbie Cheadle, has published fourteen children’s book and two poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies.
Robbie also has two novels published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
The eleven Sir Chocolate children’s picture books, co-authored by Robbie and Michael Cheadle, are written in sweet, short rhymes which are easy for young children to follow and are illustrated with pictures of delicious cakes and cake decorations. Each book also includes simple recipes or biscuit art directions which children can make under adult supervision.
Robbie’s blog includes recipes, fondant and cake artwork, poetry, and book reviews. https://robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com/
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I didn’t grow up with Halloween either, Robbie! I haven’t read many witches books because dark stories are not my preference. I try to think about what is equivalent in Chinese culture.
I watched some witches movies but they are entertaining rather than evildwels.
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Hi Miriam, I have always liked darker books. I’ve always felt that Roald Dahl’s books are quite scary but I did enjoy them and do did my boys. Sir Chocolate, obviously, isn’t scary. It’s for young children.
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I listened to the ghost stories on the radio as a kid. We didn’t have TV then. The broadcasting was very good with sound effects. It makes me feel scared of the ghost ever since even though I don’t believe in it. Watching horror movies at night gives me nightmares. I decided this is not my genre.
I know your children’s books are not scary, Robbie. 😍
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🤗🌟
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Thank you, Beth 💓
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Funny we’d talk about whether to believe or not believe in ghosts. Just had one walk across the kitchen floor. Thought it was Blue. Blue is asleep. It was Bubba come to visit today.
😊
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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That is lovely, Patty
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For Bubba, Halloween was a joy. Poor Blue is frightened of the masks.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Ah, I am also frightened of the masks – smile
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I always loved pretending to be a ghost. I didnât need eyeholes. LOL.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Oh funny, Patty. Hugs
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ð
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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great suggestions
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Halloween when I was little meant an old white bedsheet with holes cut in it for eyes. Put over our heads and making noises like ghouls. Apple bobbing and blind man’s buff. That was it.
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Hi Jane. Halloween doesn’t feature here. I never knew about it until I was older. I enjoy living Halloween vicariously through my blogging friends.
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We innocently messed around with candles and shadows. What you see today is the USA celebration which has been imported and is not that welcome quite honestly. All the forcing of people to give the kids treats and the pumpkins and carry on. As kids we had a sheet and made loud scary noises. The nuns would have been disapproving as was seen as unholy messing with the dead – All Hallowes Eve. Money making racket now. Like Christmas, nothing about the birth of Christ, no mention of the religious side here. All about Father Christmas (now called Santa) and selling stuff. We don’t bother with it now. No family here so no reason to go through the commerciality of it all. Not missing anything.
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Hi Jane, I’m sorry to read this. I know both events are commercialized but I assumed people still appreciated more about the religious side in England. We have a big family gathering with all the traditional trimmings. We don’t really give gifts though.
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Iâm with the sheets cut out with eye holes, bobbing for apples, which Blue loves doing and trick-or-treating.
But when my great grandmother was alive there was more.
Iâll save that for a blog post some day.
Iâm loving reading all your comments here. It enables me to know everyone so much better.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Hi Patty, I’m glad Blue enjoys Halloween. Comments are always interesting.
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He’s not a fan of costumes, but games involving apples are a go.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Good job we all like Halloween…
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I enjoy it from a distance ☠️
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I vote for Sir Chocolate! ❤
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Thank you, Annette. We had fun with this story 👻
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A lovely post, Robbie, and fun to see your and Michael’s book in there. As a kid, I liked spooky stories too. I think its a universal thing for kids of a certain age, perhaps. Thanks for the fun post and thanks to Kaye Lynne for hosting.
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😘
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Hi Diana, thank you. Michael and I always enjoy creating the Sir Choc books. Eva Ibbotson is still a favourite author of mine.
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Was good to see Robbie here. Congratulations to her and thanks to your Kaye
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Thanks John. Always good to see you here.
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😊
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Thanks, John 🎃
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If I were buying a Halloween book for a young child, I’d go with Sir Chocolate as sending a more positive message than the other two.
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Hi Ali’s, thank you 😊. Roald Dahl and Eva Ibbotson are both firm favourite authors of mine.
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You’re welcome, Robbie. Baba Yaga was the witch who fascinated me when I was a kid.
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Ah yes, I’d forgotten about Baba Yaga and her house on chicken’s legs.
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That’s the one!
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That Chinese Candy Dragon is great!
Both my children loved “The Witches” as well. (K)
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Thanks, Kerfe. Do you know any Halloween themed books by American authors (for children). I realized that all the books i know in this category are by British authors.
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My kids liked the Goosebumps series by RL Stine, but I never read any of them. They are quite popular still I think.
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Hi Kerfe, thanks for the reminder. Greg read those too but I’d forgotten about then.
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Oh yes, I forgot all about the Goosebumps series. My daughter was a huge fan.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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OMG. I had to answer this. I had to go look it up too. I remember being read this book when I was very young at the Tennessee School for the Blind.
Five Little Pumpkins
$9.39
Amazon.com
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Thank you, Patty. Appreciated.
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You’re welcome.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Huge Roald Dahl fan here. His books were always a classroom favorite with my upper elementary students.
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Hi Pete, I’m a Roald Dahl fan too. My favourites of his books are The Witches, The BFG and James and the Giant Peach. My mom loves grandma from George’s marvelous medicine.
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The BFG was one of my annual reads. Whizpoppers are hilarious to a sixth 5th and 6th grade boys.
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I’ll bet 😀
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This is a really awesome post, and I’m a big Roald Dahl fan. 😀
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I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve not read this.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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There is still lots of time for you to read Roald Dahl
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Indeed.
About Patty L. Fletcher
Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.
See her published work and more here.
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Hi Kymber, I am so pleased you also like Roald Dahl.
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Shared both posts on Twitter, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete 🙏
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Great reviews, Robbie. I’ve read and enjoyed Witches, but not the other ones. I added Sir Choclate to my reading list. It’s one I’ve missed! Xo
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Hi Denise, I’m glad you like these reviews. Thank you for your interest in this new book 💐
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Wonderful to read the reviews Robbie.. I must confess The Witches by Roald Dahl have escaped me… The other books sound just as good too… But I have to say your creations in fondant and icing, are fantastic….
I bet Halloween in your kitchen is a hive of activity 🙂
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Hi Sue, The Witches is my favourite Roald Dahl book. I do a Halloween Gingerbread creation each year so it is a busy Time
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Fabulous suggestions, Robbie. And I love the poem you have shared as well. Thanks!
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Congratulations on the new Halloween book Robbie, perfect for the season. Your fondant as always is fantastic. Love the coffin cake! ❤
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Thank you, Debby ☠️
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Boo! 🙂 xx
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Roald Dahl is one of my favorite authors. Great reviews, Robbie. Love your fondants!
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Thank you, Jennie. I’m a Roald Dahl fan too.
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Grown-ups often seem outraged by Dahl. Key reason for his enduring success ?
Love Matilda even more than Witches.
Two very Irish grandmothers, both good at telling scary stories, so I grew up with Halloween, slightly before the huge event it is now. Turnips are much harder to carve than pumpkins.
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My mom had no issue with Roald Dahl and, when my kids were small, neither did I. People are OTT about sheltering their kids and they grow up unprepared for life. You grandmothers sound like great ladies.
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