Looking for a Halloween picture book that’s spooky without being too scary? Scritch! Scratch! by Teri Sloat delivers just the right amount of suspense with rhythmic text, dramatic illustrations, and an ending that will leave young readers smiling.
With three starred reviews, this atmospheric picture book combines rhythmic storytelling, dramatic illustrations, and just enough mystery to keep young listeners leaning in.
Author: Teri Sloat
Illustrator: Zuzana Cupova
Themes: creepy stories, Halloween reads, witches, rhyming stories, fear, being chased, limited color palettes, black and white illustrations
Recommended for: PreS-Grade 3
Starred reviews: Kirkus, Hornbook, and Publishers Weekly
Publication date: July 28, 2026
Three children race inside after hearing an unsettling sound outside.
“Scritch! Scratch!”
They’re convinced a witch is chasing them through the pumpkin patch. Once safely inside—or so they hope—they lock the door, hide in every corner of the house, and imagine all the terrible spells the witch might be preparing.
Is the witch really outside?
Or is something else making that mysterious scratching sound?
The story builds suspense page by page before ending with a twist that reviewers describe as both satisfying and delightfully eerie.
The recurring “Scritch! Scratch!” refrain practically begs children to join in, making it an excellent candidate for Halloween storytimes.
Some ideas for storytime:
The rhyming text also gives the book a strong read-aloud rhythm, while the escalating tension encourages prediction and discussion throughout the story.
This is a gentle Halloween read, so students should come away laughing instead of afraid. The ending provides enough reassurance to satisfy younger readers while still leaving just a tiny question lingering after the final page.
The illustrations by Zuzana Cupova are in black, white, and shades of gray, creating dramatic contrasts that heighten the suspense. Strategic bursts of reddish-orange draw the reader’s eye to important details like the moon, spider legs, the children’s hair and cheeks, glowing eyes, and other eerie elements, giving the book a striking visual style that feels perfect for Halloween.
Rather than relying on graphic scares, the illustrations build suspense through shadows, silhouettes, and imagination.
The children’s round faces, rosy cheeks, and the limited color palette have a vintage picture book feel to them. They remind me of beloved picture books from my childhood like Prince Bertram the Bad by Arnold Lobel (1963) and Be Nice to Spiders by Margaret Bloy Graham (1967).
This book pairs well with lessons or activities about:
With three starred reviews praising its rhythmic storytelling, atmospheric artwork, and Halloween-perfect suspense, Scritch! Scratch! is a strong addition to seasonal picture book collections.
If your students love joining in with repeated phrases and delight in stories that are just a little spooky, this one may quickly become a favorite October read-aloud.
Looking for Halloween read-aloud activities?
My Halloween Storytime lesson includes an interactive Google Slides presentation, discussion prompts, and printable activities to extend books like Scritch! Scratch! beyond the read-aloud.
