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Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

Oct24
Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories

Jeff Kinney

Puffin, 2025

224pp., pbk., RRP $A17.99

 9781761357787

There would be few primary school readers (and even those a little older) who do not know the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series , one of the pivotal series to get boys reading that I’ve encountered throughout my teaching career and the companion series written by Greg Heffley’s best friend, Rowley Jefferson. Kinney , identified as one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World because he creates characters that kids relate to – the ones that are often on the outside looking in because they are awkward un-heroes who are the targets of pranksters and bullies, who make bad decisions but with the best intentions, but despite the dubious outcomes of some of their ideas, right always wins over wrong.  And both Greg and Rowley and the reader learn something along the way. 

In this new special addition, readers are taken into the world of Rowley Jefferson’s imagination. where they meet zombies, vampires, ghosts, and much more in these comically terrifying tales – just in time for that one night of the year when such creatures roam the planet one last time before being consigned to heaven or hell and homes are awash with items like jack-o-lanterns to ward them off. Even for those who do not acknowledge Hallowe’en, the stories continue the current fascination with these sorts of characters, while for those who relate to Rowley, it puts them in charge because the imagination is a place where the pranksters and bullies can’t invade.  

Short stories,  first-person narration that immediately engages the reader  easy-to-read font, cartoon drawings and topical characters mean this is another that will encourage even the most reluctant reader to pick it up. And with 20 in the Wimpy Kid series who knows where it might lead as they get a boost from knowing they can read and there is pleasure in print. This is one that is not so much about the content but its potential to lead to other things. 

The Boo Zoo

Oct10
The Boo Zoo

The Boo Zoo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boo Zoo

Kyle Mewburn

Lisa Allen

Walker Books, 2025

32oo., hbk., RRP $A24.99

9781760657826

We’re off on a trip to the Boo Zoo,
in the creepiest part of town …

Imagine going to a zoo, not one where there are animals on display, but all sorts of creatures from the horror world.  So instead of the traditional lions, tigers and elephants, the family encounters “zombies and witches and goblins galore, banshees and werewolves and so much more. ” As a skeleton hand takes their money and they are given their tickets by a mummy, they are prepared to be scared out of their wits, although the clever rhyme and brightly coloured illustrations ensure that while young readers will meet lots of things that usually inhabit the hours of darkness, they won’t be too scared. 

This is one to share as Hallowe’en approaches and thoughts turn to what costumes will be worn on the night, but as well as the usual contenders, there are also some interesting additions from mythology like the snake-haired Medusa,  the multi-headed Hydra, the alluring sirens of Homer’s Odyssey and the Krampus who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season from Norse mythology that might spark some investigation not just into who they are, but also the role of such creatures in ancient stories.  There is also a reference to salt being used to “keep ghouls and monsters at bay” that could inspire a probe into what does keep such creatures away, including the traditional jack-o-lantern of Hallowe’en itself.  

But overall, it’s a fun read for little ones who will delight in being scared while still being in a safe place, and which could inspire lots of artwork as they draw their interpretations of what they envisage  these creatures look like. 

 

Creepy Sheepy

Oct7
Creepy Sheepy

Creepy Sheepy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creepy Sheepy

Lucy Ruth Cummins

Pete Oswald

Walker Books, 2025

32pp., hbk., RRP $A19.99

9781761601460

Hallowe’en is almost here and Sleepy Sheepy knows exactly the costume he wants to wear to go trick-or treating.  And luckily, there is just one left! No matter what Pa said, this was the costume Sleepy had to have.

But come the big night, not only does the costume not feel comfortable, but when he opens the door, he discovers that everyone else has had the same idea and made the same choice. Will he be one of many or will he be one of a kind?

The third in this delightful series for our youngest readers which reflects the everyday events that they, themselves, encounter.  This time, in the familiar setting of the annual Hallowe’en dress-up, it’s focus is on being one of the crowd or moving to the beat of your own drum.  With its bold illustrations and bounce-along rhythm, it features all the familiar images that children associate with the event that they can have fun identifying and building their vocabulary, while not being too scary.  At the same time, adults sharing the story can help our littlies think about why there might have only been one werewolf costume left, as well as talking about how Sleepy Sheepy responded when he saw everyone in the same costume.  What would they have done? 

A fun one to share as little ones prepare for their own big night. 

 

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt

Aug30
We're Going on a Ghost Hunt

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt

Martha Mumford

Cherie Zamazing

Bloomsbury, 2025

24pp., board book., RRP $A16.99

9781526666826

We’re going on a ghost hunt!
Come and join the fun!

It’s Hallowe’en and the bunnies are off on another adventure, this time looking for ghosts amongst all the other trappings that are associated with this time of year – little bats, snowy owls, warty toads, the witch’s cat until…

As with the others in the series, this is a joyous romp for our youngest readers through the countryside – but this time it is nighttime so things take on a more suspenseful look in the gloomy atmosphere as they encounter all those spooky things that are hidden in the colourful, detailed illustrations and hidden under the flaps so cleverly disguised. 

As well as the excitement of discovering what is hiding behind the flaps, rhyme, rhythm and repetition and familiar characters all add to the child’s engagement with this story, and while they may yet be too young to learn the origins of Hallowe’en itself, nevertheless they can build their vocabulary and sense of drama not only through the story’s ending but in readiness for their own trick-or-treating adventure. 

Because this series is so firmly grounded with all the essential elements that help build our littlies’ concepts about print and develop their early reading behaviours, it is one well worth having in the library of any preschooler.