Halloween is in the air and here is a look at what resources are available for this celebration.
The National Literacy Trust have published some ideas on how to create a spooky atmosphere in the classroom, suggestions for writing activities, storytelling fun and spooky stories which can be read aloud.
Booktrust have also compiled a list of Halloween picture books featuring witches, wizards and monsters which can be accessed on their website.
The Reading Agency have a Chatterbooks activity pack on “Spooky Reads!” which was compiled by Nosy Crow.
And here are some books which have been published in the past year or two, that are perfect for this celebration.
I am Bat by Morag Hood
“Bat’s cherries keep going missing. One by one, they are whisked away by mischievous animal tricksters behind Bat’s back. Super-talent Morag Hood cleverly draws the reader into this interactive story: as Bat attempts to track down the guilty cherry thief everyone’s a suspect – including you!” (Pan Macmillan)
Boo! Haiku by Deanna Caswell & Bob Shea
“A witch, a bat, a skeleton, a jack-o’-lantern, a ghost, a black cat, a spider, an owl, and a scarecrow are all hiding in the pages of this clever Halloween-themed book. Deanna Caswell’s playful haiku cleverly hint at the creatures revealed after each turn of the page while Bob Shea’s bright illustrations capture the scary silliness.” (Abrams Appleseed)
You Can’t Make Me Go to Witch School by Em Lynas & Jamie Littler
“Daisy Wart, a Shakespearean actress with grand ambitions, is FURIOUS at being left at Toadspit Towers School for Witches by her grandmother. SHE IS NOT A WITCH! But Daisy soon becomes drawn into the mysteries of life at Toadspit, and finds that she even has a few magical surprises up her sleeve. . .” (Nosy Crow)
How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green 
“What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favourite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow the essential tips in How to Make Friends With a Ghost, you’ll learn how a ghost can be the perfect companion for rest of your life and beyond…” (Amazon)
There is also an activity kit available from Andersen Press for this picture book.
Whatever spooky stories you decide to tell tomorrow, I hope you have lots of fun!
