Do you know how to disarm a Dalek? No? Well, help is at hand
Over the years, our favourite Time Lord (in all his incarnations) has faced all manner of dangerous foes, from the nutty Kaled scientist Davros (best known for designing the Daleks as shells to house his own people when they started mutating into nasty blobs) to the Silents – tall, pale, gaunt creatures, seemingly inspired by Edvard Munch’s The Scream. The good news is that this new handbook contains everything kids need to identify every monster in the cosmos, so Saturday evenings needn’t have them holed up behind the sofa any more.
For Doctor Who fans, this official guide contains all his most valuable and dangerous information with essential notes on all manner of cunning creatures. It includes the nasty old Cybermen who sent shivers down my spine back in the day when Jon Pertwee was hopping in and out of the tardis. If only I’d had this guide then, I’d have known they don’t like radiation, solvents or gold dust. Doh. Puffin, age: 7+
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: 3 MONSTER BOOKS FOR KIDS
There’s a Monster in My Fridge by Caryl Hart & Deborah Allwright
For younger readers who want a slice of the Halloween action, this rhyming text with colourful, highly detailed illustrations is just the ticket. With split pages so the scary critters can be revealed in best peek-a-boo tradition, it manages to be both funny and silly, and despite a full cast of monsters, this really isn’t going to give anyone small any nightmares. Simon & Schuster, age: 3+
Love Monster by Rachel Bright
Rachel Bright’s Love Monster books have built up quite a following but they’ve always erred more on the cutesy side (well, he does live in Cutseville, after all). But with Halloween just around the corner, Love Monsters’ latest adventure has got a little bit darker, spookier and just a little bit edgier. Love Monster’s imagination is running wild and he’s convinced something with terrible twisterly toenails is on his case. Rest assured, no one is going to lose any sleep in the end. HarperCollins, age: 3+
Monster Mission by Eva Ibbotson
Sadly, Eva Ibbotson is no longer with us, but let’s be grateful for her legacy, original and beautifully crafted stories for children. Monster Mission is all about three ageing, ailing sisters who look after sick, injured (and unusual) animals but need to find some young blood to carry on their good work. So they decide to kidnap some kids to take over – with all kinds of unforeseen consequences. Monstrous fun for everyone, with her sparkling invention and wit, Ibbotson’s talent for sheer entertainment shines as brightly as ever. Macmillan, age: 8+
