SHARK IN THE DARK!

is a delightful blend of loud colours, bold line, quirky story and – for an extra thrill – an enigmatic glowing shape. A boy looks through his telescope at the night sky. What is that shape outlined against the moon?

Each peephole-page reveals just what those scary shapes are. But what lurks on the final spread? A book to share at bedtime with age three-plus.

You never know when you might see a witch up close. The Everyday Witch by Liz Martinez and Mark Beech (Bloomsbury; €7.55) tells of young Jimmy’s worries that his mother might be a witch – after all she’d once had a wart, she wears stripy stockings, she fiddles about with herbs with names like bergamot, and can heal “with a power that’s divine”. But when he confronts her, Mum has the perfect explanation to put his mind at rest. Told in jaunty rhyme with fun illustrations, this will banish any witchphobia.

Last in a series of three books set in the Tudor era of schemes, plots and secrets, The Betrayal by Mary Hooper (Bloomsbury; €8.30) follows the intriguing adventures of Lucy, nursemaid to the children of the strange, grumpy Dr Dee and his sickly wife. But Lucy is more than just a nursemaid. Along with Tomas who poses as the court jester, Lucy is a spy for Queen Elizabeth. There is an air of tension in London – the Queen’s life is constantly under threat by plotters who side with Mary, Queen of Scots. Hooper’s meticulous research gives credibility to this well plotted, entertaining and atmospheric storyline that holds the reader’s interest throughout. Age 10-plus.

Fearless by Daniel Morden (Barrington Stoke; €7.55) is the gruesome tale of a lazy boy who is sent to deliver a message to his uncle – a journey that would take him through the night. No matter what ghouls, corpses and demons confront him, he merrily makes his way through them all. ! A scary/fun book for age 10-plus reluctant readers.