Finding Hygge Through Stories: Spooky Season Book Recommendations for You + Your Toddler.

As an Autumn (+ Scandinavia) lover, I am ALL about the hygge vibes. (Fun fact: I used to have a bokstagram-ish account called happy_and_hygge.) And my favourite way to enjoy this time of year is by snuggling down with a good book.

It's a love I've passed on to my little one, who asks for 'snuggly stories' most days. We collect a pile of books, then cosy up in my bed with a hot chocolate + make our way through them. He gets plenty of stories that enrich his imagination; I get an afternoon of cuddles with my boy... it's a win win. So here are our recommendations for some fab spooky stories for this time of year!

Ollie's Lost Kitten - Nicola Killen I want to LIVE in this book please. There's cats, copper foiling, peek-a-boo pages, an Autumn forest, a witch's house... + a pumpkin! Honestly, this is the cosiest Autumn adventure.

Gustavo the Shy Ghost - Flavia Z Drago

SO CUTE! The first book in Drago's monster stories series features a lonely ghost who wants to make friends, but is too shy. He finally realises he has to step out of his comfort zone + wows the other little monsters, befriending them all. It's an interesting take on self-confidence that little ones will love.

No Such Thing - Ella Bailey

Some cynical fun! Georgia doesn't believe in ghosts, but with more + more chaos happening in her house in the run up to Halloween, perhaps she should... This is great for slightly older children too, as there is a challenge to find 100 ghosts in the illustrations: my little one loves pouring over the pictures!

Autumn Feast - Sean Taylor

This isn't spooky at all, but it's our new favourite book, + it's so gorgeous I needed to include it. This informative story looks in depth at the way the seasons change as Autumn hits, introducing a family to some of the glories of this time of year. If my Autumn NatureBugs offering is your idea of fun, you will ADORE this.

Leila the Perfect Witch - Flavia Z Drogo Another in Drogo's series - what can I say, I'm a sucker for anything spooky + cute - centres on an overachieving witch who meets her match in the kitchen. Bake Off style hijinks ensue.

Paddington's Trick or Treat - Michael Bond Paddington books make me nostalgic for a time before I was even alive - there's something so cosy + historical about how Paddington + the Brown family celebrate this new-fangled Halloween thing! It also gave me plenty of Halloween ideas, like making squashed fly biscuits, too!

Vlad the Fabulous Vampire - Flavia Z Drago

Yep, ANOTHER one of Drago's monster books, this one is probably my favourite. Vlad is a vampire, but he is not quite like the others. Ashamed of his differences, he hides away, until he learns the power of being yourself. Such an important message for our little ones.

Peekaboo Pumpkin - Camilla Reid This board book is too young for me to read to my three year old now, but HE adores it because he can read + interact with it himself, which is amazing for his self-esteem. The artwork is also adorable, + if your little one is too little for picture books, this is a great way to introduce some fun spookiness!

Now it's your turn, Mammas!

It's no secret I'm a bookworm, + nothing makes me happier than an evening to myself, with a cat on my lap, a cosy ambience room, some snacks, + a good book. It's the PERFECT way to shut my brain off + escape into another world. As an anxious + highly sensitive person, I do find I have to consider the books I'm reading in this season though - while I WANT to be making a dent in my horror reading list, I know too many horror/thriller books make me uneasy, so I've made sure to incorporate some cosier Autumn reads in this list too!

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sandhu Mandana

The cosiest November vibes, with a touch of magic. Think sunflowers, mushroom soup, found family, + low stakes.

The Turn of the Key - Ruth Ware A thriller/mystery based on Henry James' The Turn of the Screw, featuring nannies, bad decisions, + too much technology.

Rewitched - Lucy Jane Wood A witchy tale set in the 90s, including a bookshop, magic cat, + an adorable old man.

Cackle - Rachel Harrison More witches! This explores self-esteem, magic, + female friendship. It's not cosy, but it's not scary either.

Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match - Sally Thorne

This one is MAD. Suspend your disbelief + just go along with the smutty Frankenstein re-imagining. It is so much fun, but be warned: it's spicy.

So what are you waiting for? Next time you have a free evening, let yourself escape into a book. Your brain + imagination will thank you.