The Skull
A Spooky Illustrated Adventure Story about Friendship and Courage for Kids Ages 6–9 – A Stylish Gothic Gift from the Bestselling Creator of This Is Not My Hat
Age 6+
Classic Fiction
A #1 New York Times bestseller!
“Reading this, I accidentally rediscovered the power of a good story.”
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2024–2026
From Jon Klassen, Caldecott Medalist and bestselling creator of This Is Not My Hat, comes a wonderfully eerie yet gentle Halloween story perfect for ages 6–9.
On a dark night, a girl named Otilla stumbles across a lonely, abandoned house deep in the forest. Inside waits a skull – who has a secret of its own. Together, they face the shadows that arrive each night… and discover the strength that comes from courage and kindness.
With Klassen’s signature dry humour, hauntingly beautiful illustrations and a touch of deliciously spooky fun, The Skull is ideal for kids who like their stories mysterious but not too scary. Parents can feel reassured: while this gothic folktale has a shiver of creepiness, it ends with strength, empowerment and a reminder that even the strangest friendships can be the most comforting.
Perfect for:
- Independent readers ages 6–9
- Families looking for a suspenseful but not-too-scary read-aloud
- Fans of spooky folktales with a twist of wit and charm
“A mysterious, exquisitely presented gothic tale.” Sunday Times
"Haunting and charming. A dark, delectable adventure." Daily Telegraph
"Strange and deliciously creepy, this is the perfect read for children who like something a bit different." Irish independent ‘The Best Spooky and Sweet Autumn Reads for Children
Creators
Jon Klassen is the author-illustrator of I Want My Hat Back, We Found a Hat and This Is Not My Hat, the only book to ever win both the Kate Greenaway and Caldecott Medal. He also illustrated Triangle, Square, The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse, Extra Yarn and Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, all written by Mac Barnett, as well as Ted Kooser's House Held Up By Trees. Before making picture books, he worked as an illustrator on the animated feature film, Coraline. Originally from Niagara Falls, Canada, Jon now lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son. Find Jon online at burstofbeaden.com, on Twitter as @burstofbeaden, and on Instagram as @jonklassen.
Reviews
Klassen’s recognizable graphite-and-ink illustrations capture the haunting—yet somehow charming—atmosphere of the stark Austrian setting, where shadows loom, bones come to life, and apricot sunshine cuts through the gloom. . . . Is the story creepy? You bet, but it’s also weirdly sweet and characterized by agency, kindness, and choice. . . . Klassen’s newest offering will be highly coveted.
Booklist (starred review)
Readers can enjoy a quick read, the implementation of interesting literary elements, and the humor that we have come to know from Klassen.
School Library Connection
Suffice to say the macabre humour that readers expect from Klassen prevails, creating a thought-provoking ending.
Reading Time
Jon Klassen has a vast, dedicated fan base amongst both staff and customers at Readings, and The Skull will only gain him more fans. This is a beautiful book, in muted, ghostly shades of grey with colour popping in every now and again to brighten the darkest of moments. This is suitable for a spookier kind of kid – one who won’t get too shaken up by a skeleton-chase scene – and is a perfect, misremembered folk tale for 8+.
Readings
An irresistible folk tale, the story has lots of elements which are familiar but take the readers along quite unexpected pathways. Klassen’s wry sense of humour comes to the fore with the detours he takes, keeping the readers on their toes. Otilla is a strong individual, firstly leaving a place she did not like, then hiding out in the wood, taking a skull for a benefactor. She deals with his secret tormentor with dispatch, finding a place to call home. The wonderful illustrations using very few colours, give an air of gloom and mystery. Minimalist in scope, the ink and water colours creates a grainy texture to his images, the lighter touches, Ottila’s night attire and the pear tree, reinforcing the gloom that surrounds them.
ReadPlus
