Slightly spooky books are fun now — and later

I’m the kind of adult who does not (emphasize not) like scary movies. I stopped reading scary books after I read a Stephen King novel that gave me nightmares.

So if you like the type of books that give you major creeps, then don’t bother reading any more. But if you’re up for not-too-creepy books to share with the children in your lives, you may find an idea or so here.

The Amelia Bedelia (opens in a new window) of the poultry world, the little white hen is back for an autumn tale. Here, Minerva Louise interprets the fall celebrations with her own literal spin in Minerva Louise on Halloween (opens in a new window) (Dutton). Loveable but not very bright Minerva always allows young children to stay one step ahead.

When a big bad Bullybug comes from outer space to terrorize “itty-bitty baby bugs,” well, let’s just leave it that something larger — maybe child-sized — saves the day (and the smaller bugs). Bye-Bye, Big Bad Bullybug! (opens in a new window) (Little Brown) cleverly uses page cut-outs to build the Bullybug — then get rid of it.

When the “wind whispers winter” it becomes time to decide what to be on that special night at the end of October. And Then Comes Halloween (opens in a new window) (Candlewick) culminates the change of season with costume preparation and candy collecting on that night. Poetic language builds excitement as the day grows closer.

Remember the old folksong, “Over in the Meadow?” It’s been Halloween-ized in a recent book, Over in the Hollow (opens in a new window) (Chronicle). In this version, there are skeletons that boogie, ghosts that boo and more — all rhythmically and playfully depicted.

And finally for slightly older readers (those learning to read independently), there’s The History of Vampires and Other Real Blood Drinkers (opens in a new window) (Grosset & Dunlap). Each short chapter is liberally and comically illustrated and attempts to differentiate fact from fiction.

So, there you have it: not-very-scary books especially appropriate for this time of year — but good enough to continue sharing.