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Creepy Araminta

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Book Synopsis

The portrait of a beautiful girl with tumbling red hair takes on sinister undertones in this unnerving tale from much-loved, multi-award-winning author Anne Fine.

Jess is delighted when she finds the perfect picture to cover up a dirty mark on her bedroom wall. The beautiful portrait of a girl with tumbling red hair is exactly the right size, and she doesn’t even have to pay for it!

But when she hangs the painting in her room, Jess is tormented by disturbing nightmares featuring Araminta from the portrait.

Her mum thinks Jess is making it all up, but she’s in for a shock when she experiences the power of the painting for herself …

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 7.

Our Review Panel says...

A short but brilliant Barrington Stoke read! Creepy Araminta is a wonderfully funny, spooky and completely entertaining book that is perfect for children who enjoy a little bit of mystery and mischief.!

Araminta is a brilliant main character. She is full of personality, and her adventures are packed with humour. The story has just the right amount of creepiness without becoming genuinely frightening, making it a great choice for children who enjoy spooky stories but might not be ready for anything too scary.

One of the things I particularly loved about Creepy Araminta is how accessible it feels for less confident readers. The book is dyslexia-friendly, with features that make reading easier and less overwhelming. The clear layout, accessible text and manageable sections help children navigate the story without feeling that they are faced with huge blocks of writing. This makes it a particularly good choice for children who may struggle with reading fluency or become put off by longer, more densely presented books.

The illustrations also help bring the story to life, giving readers visual clues and making the pages feel inviting. This is especially important for children who can find traditional chapter books intimidating.Despite being accessible, the book doesn’t feel like a book specifically designed for struggling readers.

I think this would make a fantastic choice for children who love ghosts, mysteries, eccentric characters and plenty of humour!