We couldn’t help but notice the buzz around Tim Burton’s new Addams Family spin-off series for Netflix — Wednesday has been praised from high heaven to red-hot Hades for its glorious Gothicism, quirky comedy and deadpan delivery, with Wednesday Addams on the cusp of coming-of-age as a teenager. 

As a result, we’ve curated a batch of brilliantly spooky books that’ll have fans of the series, and fans of Tim Burton’s unique aesthetic, reading well past the witching hour.

Written and illustrated by Tim Burton himself, the youngest fans of spooky, kooky comedy will adore The Nightmare Before Christmas picture book. Jack Skellington’s journey from scaremonger to sharer of Christmas cheer is an utter joy — bringing Christmas to Halloween is, quite frankly, an ingenious idea — and Burton’s illustrations are to die for.

For 7+ year-olds, we’re huge fans of Angie Sage’s Araminta Spook series . Araminta’s adventures while living in a haunted house with her Uncle Drac and Aunt Tabitha are packed with invention, curious creatures, and much mystery. What’s more, the characterful illustrations and short chapters make it ideal for newly-independent readers.

For quirky creepiness with added friendship, it doesn’t get better than Marcus Sedgwick’s Elf Girl and Raven Boy books, and his Raven Mysteries series. Also illustrated and aimed at 7+ year-olds, these are funny, thrilling and beautifully written to boot.

Mention must also be made of Lemony Snicket (whose wry, dry, deliciously dark Series of Unfortunate Events is an addictive delight), and Neil Gaiman’s Coraline and The Graveyard Book. Both multi-award-winning, modern classics, there’s no disputing Gaiman’s storytelling majesty and flair for surreally gothic invention.

Caleb Crisps’s Ivy Pocket series is superb for readers who relish adventure and peril with period atmosphere and gadgets. And, if you know a 10+ year-old who loves school settings, show them The School for Good and Evil, and How to Be Brave.