Review: Creepy Araminta written by Anne Fine and illustrated by Emily Jones

Creepy Araminta is a spooky, supernatural short tale guaranteed to send shivers down the spine.

Jess is in trouble with her mum after she discovers dirty marks on her bedroom wall, so Jess is delighted when she is given a free picture in a charity shop after someone returns it. The picture, a portrait of a girl, Araminta, with long red hair, is the perfect size to cover up the marks.

On the first night that the portrait is in her room, Jess keeps waking up to the sound of someone laughing quietly and the scent of violets. When she looks at the portrait, she notices that Araminta’s smile has changed but surely that’s not possible?

During the following nights, Jess begins to have terrifying dreams, nightmares that include Araminta, who seems to feed on Jess’ fear. Is it possible that the girl from the portrait is haunting her dreams? And, can she convince others to believe that it is more than her imagination playing tricks on her in the dark?

This is a brilliantly spooky, unsettling, gothic tale which sent shivers down my spine. It may be short in length, at just over 50 pages, but it masterfully encapsulates a deliciously dark, creepy story. I have no doubt it will hold young readers entranced.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are wonderfully vivid and expressive whilst capturing the darker undertones perfectly.

An eerily spooky ghost tale, perfect for readers of 9+.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 9+ with a reading age of 7.