The Skull

A Spooky Illustrated Adventure Story about Friendship and Courage for Kids Ages 6–9 – A Stylish Gothic Gift from the Bestselling Creator of This Is Not My Hat

A #1 New York Times bestseller!

“Reading this, I accidentally rediscovered the power of a good story.”
Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2024–2026

From Jon Klassen, Caldecott Medalist and bestselling creator of This Is Not My Hat, comes a wonderfully eerie yet gentle Halloween story perfect for ages 6–9.

On a dark night, a girl named Otilla stumbles across a lonely, abandoned house deep in the forest. Inside waits a skull – who has a secret of its own. Together, they face the shadows that arrive each night… and discover the strength that comes from courage and kindness.

With Klassen’s signature dry humour, hauntingly beautiful illustrations and a touch of deliciously spooky fun, The Skull is ideal for kids who like their stories mysterious but not too scary. Parents can feel reassured: while this gothic folktale has a shiver of creepiness, it ends with strength, empowerment and a reminder that even the strangest friendships can be the most comforting.

Perfect for:
- Independent readers ages 6–9
- Families looking for a suspenseful but not-too-scary read-aloud
- Fans of spooky folktales with a twist of wit and charm

“A mysterious, exquisitely presented gothic tale.” Sunday Times

"Haunting and charming. A dark, delectable adventure." Daily Telegraph

"Strange and deliciously creepy, this is the perfect read for children who like something a bit different." Irish independent ‘The Best Spooky and Sweet Autumn Reads for Children

Contributor: Jon Klassen (Illustrated by)

Illustrator: Jon Klassen

UK Delivery:

• Free delivery on all orders of £10 or more.
• £1.49 delivery fee on orders below £10.
• UK orders are shipped via Royal Mail 2nd Class.

International Delivery:

• Flat rate delivery charges vary by country.

Dispatch and Delivery Times:

• All orders are shipped from our warehouse in Northampton, UK within 48 hours of receipt during working hours.
• UK mainland orders typically arrive within 3-5 working days via Royal Mail 2nd Class.
• International estimated delivery times:
• Europe & Channel Islands: 7 to 10 working days
• USA: 7 to 15 working days
• Rest of the World: 9 to 21 working days

View our full delivery infomation here.