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If You Like... Spooky Season Informational Books

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It's that eerie time of year, and you may have started wondering about all the whys and hows behind our spookiest traditions. Well then, non-fiction readers, celebrate—because this is the list for you! Here are some of the latest publications covering everything from ghoulicious cooking to haunting locales to spooky global celebrations and stories for this bone-chilling season!

Spooky Celebrations Around the World
Written by Matt Ralphs
Illustrated by Veronika Kotyk 
New York; London: Phaidon, 2024. Informational. 47 pages. 

Dive into a global tour of fascinating festivals in Spooky Celebrations Around the World. Beyond familiar favorites like Halloween and Día de Muertos, this vibrant book introduces young readers to 21 unique celebrations honoring spirits across every continent. With playful, yet respectful text and stunning artwork, it's a brilliant, year-round read that will spark curiosity about cultural traditions and the world.

Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes That Dot Our Planet
By Geo Rutherford
New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2024. Informational. 96 pages.

Geo Rutherford's chillingly educational book for middle-grade readers, Spooky Lakes, dives into the real-life wonders and mysteries lurking beneath the surface of Earth's most unusual lakes, from toxic waters that mummify creatures to stormy bays with constant lightning—it's filled with eerie illustrations and fascinating facts. While offering an adventurous tour of these bizarre locales, it also explores the science of hydrology. So, not only will it give you goosebumps, it may just spark a greater understanding and appreciation for our planet's hidden depths. 

Ghoulicious Halloween Treats
By Ruthie VanOosbree and Tamara J.M. Peterson
North Mankato, MN: Capstone Press, a Capstone imprint, 2026. Informational. 32 pages. 

Whip up some deliciously spooky Halloween treats with this easy-to-follow cookbook! Inside, you'll find everything you need to create "ghoulicious" monster mac 'n' cheese, ghost strawberries, and creepy gelatin worms that are perfect for any Halloween party. It's a frightfully fun way to get into the Halloween spirit and impress your friends with creative recipes.

Spooky Stories of the World
Retold by Wendy Shearer
Illustrated by Teo Georgiev
Dublin, Ireland: Lonely Planet Global Limited, 2023. Informational. 142 pages.

Do you dare to open the pages of a new collection of chilling tales? More than 20 of the most fright-filled stories from around the world have been turned into a global journey of terror, from: The legend of the Vampire Skeleton in Canada, to Blackbeard's ghost in the USA, and the shadowy Lagahoo of Trinidad and Tobago. Professionally retold by storyteller Wendy Shearer and eerily illustrated by Teo Georgiev, this book is perfect for anyone brave enough to explore the world's spookiest folklore.
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