RTÉjr Book Club: It's the season for magic and mayhem

Whether you like a gentle vampiric spook, are fearful of banshee books, devour Frankenstein-themed frighteners, or maybe you're brave enough to befriend a maggoty skull and venture into a forbidden wood - we have tales befitting any and every Halloween story session.

Some spook-tacular recommendations are available below, for more see 'scary books’ under Our Recommendations at www.childrensbooksireland.ie.

In October, our friends at the We Love Books Podcast have another fun episode for young readers listeners - just press play up top. Debut author Méabh McDonnell will be chatting about reading, writing, bookselling and her magical story Into the Witchwood. Plus, the Reading Heroes are back once again with more bookish chat.

Listen to We Love Books wherever you get your podcasts for book chat, author interviews, news, reviews, competitions and more!

Colin’s Castle by Holly Swain, Farshore, 32pp, ISBN 9780008698126

Colin the vampire is moving into his new castle. Unbeknownst to him, so is the duck. As Colin tries to settle into domestic bliss, the duck keeps interrupting. Just when Colin thinks he’s gotten rid of his feathered nemesis, something unexpected and very quacky happens … A vampire and a duck - both think they own the castle. What could possibly go wrong? Full of humour and beautifully illustrated, young readers will enjoy the duck's antics and Colin’s attempts to live a bird-free life, but parents beware, there may be a lot of ‘Quack!’ jump scares in your home after reading this book! (Age 2–4, 5–8)

Beanie the Bansheenie by Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Steve McCarthy, Walker Books, 64pp, ISBN 9781529513172

Baby bansheenies must bond with a human to foretell their death in the future. But when Beanie meets Rose, she finds it tricky to get her banshee’s howl of doom to work and what she’d really like is to protect Rose and her family instead! This story, while rooted in Irish folklore, is beaming with quirky originality, with plenty of twists, turns and surprises that quickly click into place to form a dynamic plot. Beautifully illustrated, subtle nods allude to both the author and illustrator’s past books, with sprinkles of pop culture references that will have you glued to the page. Beanie the Bansheenie takes a dark area of Irish folklore and adapts into an almost Coraline-esque fantasy that will enthral readers of every age! (Age 5–8, 8–10)

Ivy Newt and the Vampixies by Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Brol, Scallywag Press, 176pp, ISBN

Young witch Ivy Newt and her trusty familiar Tom find themselves in another exciting adventure. After setting out on an adventure to collect ingredients for spells with Witch Griselda, our heroes find themselves in the middle of a sinister plot. Drusilla, Queen of the Dust Pixies, plans to cast a terrible Wish Curse turning her pixies into fearsome Vampixies who will set out to suck all the magic from the land of Miracula. Brol’s intricate illustrations both bordering the pages and as full-page drawings throughout, help to immerse us in the story and its host of characters. The alliteration throughout the well-paced chapters makes it perfect for reading aloud. A feel-good story full of humour and positive messages with a few scary bits and some clever plot twists mixed in. (Age 5–¬7, 8¬–10)

Stitch by Pádraig Kenny, Walker Books, 298pp, ISBN 9781529517781

A Frankenstein-inspired tale, Stitch and his friend Henry Olaf have been created by the genius Professor Hardacre, but when the circumstances at the castle change, Stitch must leave the castle for the first time, discovering that not everyone sees him as he truly is. Kenny is a master at creating fantastical worlds with a creepy atmosphere always ever-present. Stitch is filed with a host of strange characters with heartwarming personalities that the reader will undoubtedly grow attached to. (Age 8–10, 10–12)

Into the Witchwood by Méabh McDonnell, The O’Brien Press, 272pp, ISBN 9781788493857

Rowan’s family is living in the aftermath of one disaster and on the brink of another: Rowan’s mother is missing, and in order to save her, she must enter the dangerous Witchwood. When Rowan, her sister Lila and their new friend Farid enter the Witchwood, they must rely on one another to survive. McDonnell’s stirring début grounds this tense, dramatic novel in her study of her characters and the ways in which they grow. An action-packed story. (Age 10–12)

Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull by Martin Howard, illustrated by Pete Williamson, Nosy Crow, 288pp, ISBN 9781805132257

After the tragic death of her parents, Mallory finds herself living with her eccentric aunt at the odd and spooky Carrion Castle. Mallory has always known she was gifted, but with the help of her new friend Maggoty (a spirit stuck in a skull); she soon learns the full extent of her supernatural talents.
Much like the title, this book is full of quirkiness and intrigue. The illustrations are entirely fitting and add to the overall spookiness of the book. The style of the artwork is dark and fun, much like a cross between The Addams Family and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The themes of grief and loss are skilfully intertwined with the book’s light-hearted, and quirky tone. (Age 10–12).

Ruth Concannon is the Publications Officer for Children’s Books Ireland, the national charity and arts organisation that champions every child’s right to develop a love of reading.

Their mission is to inspire a love of reading in children and young people in Ireland, to share their expertise and enthusiasm with the adults who guide and influence them, to champion every child’s right to excellent books and live literature events and support the artists who make that goal possible across the island of Ireland.

See www.childrensbooksireland.ie for more.