Tag Halloween

The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

The Possession of Alba Díaz by Isabel Cañas 

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The book cover depicts a woman standing on a bed and leaning against a wall, with her eyes closed and face upturned towards the ceiling. Her lips are red and match her red dress, fastened over a white underskirt. Her long brown hair tumbles around her bare shoulders. The dress is in the style of the 1700's and the scene has a dark, Gothic feel, although she appears to be lit by natural light from a nearby window.

by Alex H.

If you’re anything like me, September 1 marks the start of Halloween season (yes, season). There’s no better way to celebrate the start of all things scary and ghoulish than by reading a horror novel, and that’s what I did when I picked up Isabel Cañas’ newest book, The Possession of Alba Díaz. If you like ghosts, Mexican history, and gothic romance, this is the story for you!

The Possession of Alba Díaz is set in Zacatecas, Mexico in 1765. When a plague descends on her city, a young woman named Alba and her family retreat into the mountains. They take refuge at a mine owned by Alba’s fiancé and his family, but it is not the safe haven they were promised. Alba starts sleepwalking and hearing strange voices from deep in the mine, but most worrying of all is how she no longer feels alone in her own head. 

Meanwhile, Elías, the black sheep of her fiancé’s family, has arrived in the New World hoping to quickly make his fortune and escape his greedy family. His plan falls apart when he meets Alba and the two are drawn to one another, despite her rather inconvenient engagement to his cousin and the demon lurking under her skin. Lucky for Alba, Elías knows a thing or two about demons… 

I raced through this book. Cañas does a wonderful job of blending history and the paranormal to create a rich, fully lived-in world. Her two narrators, Alba and Elías, have voices that are distinct and wholly compelling, which makes for an electric romance. As for the horror aspect, Alba’s possession takes up a large chunk of the novel and there are more than a few creepy scenes. I’d say they lean more towards unsettling than scary, but your mileage may vary. 

Come for the haunted mine and angry demon, stay for the gothic romance and a delightfully wicked ending that’ll have you desperate for more historical horror this Halloween season. 

The Possession of Alba Díaz is available in print from HCLS in English and Spanish, and as an e-book and an e-audiobook from Libby/OverDrive.

Alex is a Teen Instructor & Research Specialist at the Glenwood Branch. When she’s not at the library, she likes to crochet cute animals, read all the horror and romance books she can get her hands on, and write stories about things that go bump in the night. 

The book cover depicts a little girl in a blue print nightgown and ponytails with pink ribbons, in bed with her pink teddy bear. She has hands on her hips as if she is confronting the six monsters surrounding her, whose expressions range from menacing to goofy to friendly.

Mostly Monsterly

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By Eliana H.

Does your family have monsters on the mind? If you’re looking for inspiration for wacky Halloween costumes or just want to enjoy some cute, silly monster stories, look no further. Here are a few of my favorite monstrously fun picture books. 

Monsters Go Night-Night by Aaron Zenz

The book cover depicts a blue monster with orange hair and a dragon-like tail and a smaller orange monster bouncing with gleeful smiles above two white pillows and some white feathers, as if having a pillow fight at a slumber party.

Be prepared for your little one to beg you to read this over and over again. Each page presents a question of how monsters get ready for bed with multiple answer options. Your little one may be surprised, even if you are not, by what monsters use in familiar bedtime routines. 

The book cover depicts a little girl in a blue print nightgown and ponytails with pink ribbons, in bed with her pink teddy bear. She has hands on her hips as if she is confronting the six monsters surrounding her, whose expressions range from menacing to goofy to friendly.

Monster Trouble! by Lane Fredrickson 

Poor Winifred Schnitzel has some trouble with monsters. They keep pestering her at bedtime, keeping her awake, and nothing she tries works to trap them or scare them away! Until one night, Winifred is so exhausted that she’s half-asleep and tries something completely different. Check out this fun, rhyming book to see what you might be able to do to get rid of any monsters bothering you! 

The book cover depicts a blue monster with pink horns and four sharp teeth, wearing a black and white striped shirt and running with arms outstretched.

There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher 

Part of a series of interactive titles, this book comes with its own monster. Oh no! What do we need to do to get rid of it? Follow the directions on each page together and see if you can get this (actually very cute and friendly-looking) monster out of your book. 

The book cover depicts a one-eyed green monster with a red mouth and three teeth, holding a blue bowl of mac and cheese that also has a red mouth and three teeth on the side.

The Monster Mac & Cheese Party by Todd Parr

Todd Parr is a favorite author and illustrator with a very distinctive style and many, many books under his belt. I was excited to see this new one hit the shelves, especially in time for spooky season. A range of different monster-y creatures bring their own twists on macaroni and cheese to The Monster Mac & Cheese Party – no humans allowed! But if the book makes you hungry for some people-friendly macaroni and cheese, check out the recipes at the back to try making your own. 

The book cover depicts a red monster with a little at its side in bed, clutching the bedcovers and looking up and to the side as if frightened.

Love Monster and the Scary Something by Rachel Bright 

Even though Love Monster followed all his usual bedtime routines, he can’t fall asleep. Then, he hears some spooky sounds coming into his house and finds himself even MORE awake! What could that scary something be? What will Love Monster do?

The book cover depicts a child in a monster costume, seated cross-legged and reading a book cloud to a large group of varied monsters, mummies, witches, ghosts and dragons who are arrayed behind. Branches with a few leaves and the moon are above in a night sky.

I Will Read to You by Gideon Sterer 

Another new title that’s a perfect fit for our monstrous menu, this book calls to mind Where the Wild Things Are but with a child who encourages calm rather than clamor. As a mother offers to read to her child, he asks her about who takes care of the monsters! Then, the two walk together to a spot where they summon creatures of all kinds to come and listen to a bedtime story. Mother is supportive and proud, then the two head home for the human child’s turn to be read to. A very sweet perspective on monsters, perfect for your big-hearted little one.

Eliana is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge Branch and co-chair of the HCLS Equity Committee. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).

The photograph depicts a variety of pumpkin - white and green, yellow. and shades of orange - surrounding one large orange pumpkin decorated like a jack-o-lantern, with red cheeks, three white teeth, eyes with red and yellow irises, and a pointy witch's hat in red and orange, decorated with black cats and orange moons. All are resting on a tablecloth in black and white with a motif of bats, jack-o-lanterns, and the word "Halloween" repeating.

Spooky & Seasonal Picture Books

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The photograph depicts a variety of pumpkin - white and green, yellow. and shades of orange - surrounding one large orange pumpkin decorated like a jack-o-lantern, with red cheeks, three white teeth, eyes with red and yellow irises, and a pointy witch's hat in red and orange, decorated with black cats and orange moons. All are resting on a tablecloth in black and white with a motif of bats, jack-o-lanterns, and the word "Halloween" repeating.
Photo by Bee Felten-Leidel on Unsplash.

By Eliana H. 

As the weather turns crisp and we start preparing for fall holidays, you might be looking for books to get little ones into a spooky mood. Our staff have selected some picture books to share with the family this season. Whether you are looking for thrilling tales, heartwarming narratives, or sillier stories, there is something for you. 

The cover of "Creepy Carrots!" shows a startled rabbit in the foreground, dressed in a collared shirt and striped pants. In the background are three carrots, two with angry expressions, one of them literally "blowing his top" as his head and eyes have separated from his body; the third carrot has a surprised expression. All are against a background of clouds, standing on a hill with grass and small plants growing. The illustration is in shades of white, brown, and orange.

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds (ages 4-8) 

Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, especially the ones from Crackenhopper Field. His love turns to fear once he swears he starts to see the carrots following him everywhere! Are the carrots really following him, or is Jasper just imagining it? Read this clever tale to find out. 

The cover of "What's in the Witch's Kitchen?" shows the title in yellow, rose, gree, and red lettering against the backdrop of a spooky house in black silhouette, with a witch on a broom silhouetted against the moon above, bats flying around the chimney, and a spider dangling off the rain gutters. A lizard in silhouette is climbing up the side of the house, and a black cat peers out from the window beneath a hanging lamp. The subtitle, "A book with MAGIC changing pictures!," is written on the purple door in beige and white print.

What’s in the Witch’s Kitchen by Nick Sharratt (ages 3-7) 

Find out what this witch has brewing in her kitchen in this fun, interactive tale. Choose to flip the flap left or right and see what you find! Will it be a nasty trick, or a delicious treat?

The cover of "Fright Club" shows various classic monsters, including Frankenstein, Dracula, a ghost, a mummy, and a werewolf, peering out from a hinged wooden window that is propped open. A spider dangles from the title and peers down at the group.

 Fright Club by Ethan Long (ages 3-6) 

Each year, on the eve of Halloween, Fright Club meets to go over their plans for scaring kids on the biggest day of the year for scares. Only the scariest monsters are allowed in Fright Club, but this year, a group of adorable critters want to join. Vladimir, the leader of the club, refuses to let them join, but these cute little critters can be scarier than they look. 

The cover of "El Cucuy is Scared, Too!" depicts the title character, El Cucuy, hiding in a yellow pot with a green cactus growing from it. The other main character, Ramón, is patting El Cucuy on the back in a comforting manner. Both are on a colorful woven rug with stripes in shades of red, yellow, and light blue. The title is in the same colors and is surrounded by foliage and flowers in shades of green, red, orange, and pink.

El Cucuy Is Scared Too by Donna Barba Higuera (ages 4-8) 

Ramón and his family recently moved, and he is scared about his first day at his new school. When he talks to El Cucuy, the Mexican Boogeyman used to scare children into good behavior, El Cucuy shares his own fears and worries. With Spanish interspersed through this heartfelt picture book, Ramón and El Cucuy build each other up and remind each other of how strong and brave each of them is.

The cover of The Dark shows a small child dressed in blue, looking through an open door down a set of brown wooden stairs into a basement. The child looks apprehensive and only the first three stairs and part of the stair railing are illuminated; the rest of the basement is in the dark.

 The Dark by Lemony Snicket (ages 4-8) 

One night, Laszlo’s night light – which has always kept the dark at bay – goes out. Laszlo is afraid of the dark, which lives mostly in the basement, and tonight it invites Laszlo down the stairs. The tension builds in this beautifully-illustrated book, but in the end, the dark only wants to help. 

The cover of "Sir Simon: Super Scarer" shows a cute ghost seated at a desk, with a green printer's visor on his head and a typewriter, pile of papers, coffee cup, and pizza and a cookie on the desk. The setup resembles a journalist's desk although the desk itself is a brown trunk that latches. The figure holds up a sheet of paper from the typewriter that says "Super Scarer."

Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson (ages 4-8) – also available as an ebook from Libby/OverDrive

After haunting other things, including a forest, a bus stop, and a potato, Sir Simon is finally being transferred to his first haunted house! Expecting only old people, Simon is surprised to discover a kid has moved in with his grandma. As Simon and Chester try to help each other with their chores, they discover they’re better at being friends together than trying to take the place of the other. Plenty of fun details will have adults laughing along with the story as well. 

Eliana is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at HCLS Elkridge Branch. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).

The picture depicts a teal-colored fish-like monster with a yellow eye next to the book, which has a teal color and depicts a variety of monsters, including dragons, snakes, and Dracula.

Explore the Ghoulish side of the Globe with the Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts!

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The picture depicts a teal-colored fish-like monster with a yellow eye next to the book, which has a teal color and depicts a variety of monsters, including dragons, snakes, and Dracula.

By Claudia J.

Ok, I’ll admit it: I love Halloween but I’m not the biggest fan of scary things. You won’t catch me at a movie theater watching the latest film from the Halloween franchise or reading IT by Stephen King. I tend to focus on the lighter side of the season. Yet, when I was browsing through some of the oversized books that live upstairs at the Miller Branch, I stopped at a bright teal atlas filled to the brim with whimsical illustrations and trips around our world. However, instead of historic sites and tourist destinations, this atlas is filled with MONSTERS and GHOSTS!

Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts by Federica Magrin, with immensely detailed illustrations by Larua Brenlla, takes readers on a ghastly trip to hunt down the most fearsome creatures known to humanity. Each continent is covered throughout the pages, highlighting monsters and ghosts with cultural significance. I’m sure most of us already know of Bigfoot, King Kong, and the Boogeyman through classic stories and tales. But have you heard of the Smok Wawelski from Poland, a fearsome dragon from the cave at the foot of Wawel Hill? Or Krasue, the spirit from Thailand with the floating head who feeds on anything in her sights? These monsters and spirits are not only highlighted, but their stories are tied in with learning about each country’s tales and fables. One particular feature of the atlas that I enjoyed was that it gave special sections to the monsters and spirits of Greek Mythology and the ones from Japanese folktales, both of which have been spotlighted in various other stories, movies, and video games.

One fair warning for all my budding Monster Hunters: some of these stories, no matter your age, are not for the faint of heart despite its art style and its publisher, Lonely Planet Kids. Nevertheless, it was an interesting, spooktacular read, one that may send a chill up your spine, but which will definitely teach you something new along the way. What I learned is to not visit the places where these creatures have been spotted! I think I’ll opt for a warm beach instead.

You can borrow or request Atlas of Monsters and Ghosts at all HCLS locations for your horrific, spooky enjoyment.

Claudia J. is an Instructor and Research Specialist for Howard County Library System. She enjoys stories in all forms, from books to graphic novels, movies to video games: you name it!

A crowd of zombies stagger past the wreck of a building, coming out of dense fog.

For Halloween Let These Zombie Books Eat Your Brains

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Black and white photo of an overpass with the Empire State Building int the background and dark clouds overhead.

by Alan S.

The haunting times are almost here – get in a spooky mood with some of my favorite zombie books.

Zone One by Colson Whitehead (also available in ebook) – If you like your monsters a little more literary, you should start here. Mark Spitz is an uninfected worker assigned to clear Zone One (in Manhattan) of the infected. The book spans three days of work and includes flashbacks of how Mark survived the zombie apocalypse and the reason for his nickname.

Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion – I have always said that zombies were my favorite monster because you could in no way make them romantic. Marion proves me wrong with Warm Bodies. He tells the story of R, a zombie living in an abandoned airport who falls in love with a human girl name Julie after eating the brain of her boyfriend. I thought I would hate my favorite monster becoming a love interest, but this is one of my favorite zombie books.

Dread Nation by Justina Ireland (also available in ebook and eaudio) – In this zombie/alternate history novel, Jane McKeene was born two days before the dead began to walk the battlefields during the Civil War and change American history as we know it. The Native and Negro Re-education Act requires some children to be trained to kill the dead. Jane is sent from Kentucky to Miss Preston’s School on Combat in Baltimore. When families around Baltimore County begin to go missing, Jane is drawn into a dangerous conspiracy. This is the beginning of a series, so be ready to commit.

The Girl With All the Gifts by M R Carey (also available in ebook and eaudio) – In another different sort of zombie novel, we meet Melanie, in a classroom full of other children like her. They are a special group of “hungries,” people infected with a fungus that turns them into zombies. The hungries normally lose their mental function, but the children in the class have retained their mental cognition and only lose control when they get too close to human scent. The base that houses their school is attacked, and the adults must learn to trust Melanie, as she is their best hope to survive outside the base.

Feed by Mira Grant – In the world of Feed, two viruses created to cure cancer and the common cold combine to form the Kellis-Amberlee superbug, which soon infects all mammals. If it amplifies, the host becomes a zombie. Amplification can happen with the death of the host, being bitten by an amplified host, or spontaneously. The book starts twenty years after the infection and centers on bloggers George, Shaun, and Buffy. When the presidential campaign they are covering is attacked by zombies, the bloggers go on a mission to discover the truth behind the attack and, ultimately, the virus.

Cell by Stephen King (also available in ebook) – King is my favorite author, so I couldn’t do a list without including this one. When a pulse is sent out over the global cell network, everyone using a cell phone at that time turns into a mindless zombie-like killer. Clay is in Boston when it hits and teams up with Tom and Alice to survive. They make their way to Maine to check on Clay’s family and find the zombies are starting to band together in a sort of network, making them difficult to escape.

I hope these titles can get you in the Halloween mood. Was your favorite zombie novel not on my list? Tell me in the comments.

Alan has worked for HCLS for just under 25 years, currently at the Savage Branch. He enjoys reading, television, and most sports.