This collection of horror stories is wonderful. Each creepy
story features a slightly unpleasant child meeting a bad end. But the clever
part is that the stories are all linked. They’re all being told by a sinister ‘Woman
in White’ to a young boy who has the feeling that they’re supposed to put him
to sleep, and that falling asleep would be a very very bad idea. It’s a kind
of reversed Scheherazade for kids.
It’s set in a Victorian world and I loved that the language
hasn’t been simplified. Priestley makes no apology for all the long words a child
might have to look up or guess (and therefore learn) the meaning of from the
context, or the many references to classic literature.
The illustrations by David Roberts are beautifully macabre
in the style of a Tim Burton movie.
These atmospheric cautionary tales are highly readable,
short, fun and chilling but not too scary for middle grade readers. Best enjoyed
just before bed!
She is the Children's Writing Fellow for Northern Ireland #CWFNI
She also blogs at The Blank Page
@KMcCaughrain
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