Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep

Jack Prelutsky
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 811.54 Pre)

The poems in this classic collection feature vampires, trolls, ghouls, skeletons, and more. Evocative descriptions, such as the “desiccated limbs” of a witch and the “matted hair and jaws that tear” of a werewolf will give readers goosebumps. Chilling illustrations by Arthur Lobel feature the fearsome creatures and often include wandering children unaware of their gruesome fate. While the poems may not be scary enough to give kids actual nightmares, they’re still creepy enough to remind readers that monsters can be deadly. Recommended for ages 9–12.


Spooky (But Not Too Scary) Stories

  • Things in the Basement


  • Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories


  • The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale


  • The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale


  • Creepy Crayon!


  • Things in the Basement


  • Vampire Baby


  • In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories


  • How to Make Friends with a Ghost


  • Ghosts in the House!


  • Los Gatos Black on Halloween


  • Creepy Crayon!


  • Room on the Broom


  • The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything


  • How to Make Friends with a Ghost


  • The Haunted Library


  • Ghosts in the House!


  • Fox at Night


  • Room on the Broom


  • Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep


  • Los Gatos Black on Halloween


  • Fox at Night


  • In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories


  • There’s a Ghost in this House


  • Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories


  • Hardly Haunted


  • The Haunted House Next Door


  • The Haunted Library


  • There’s a Ghost in this House


  • Never Kick a Ghost and Other Silly Chillers


  • The Haunted House Next Door


  • Leo: A Ghost Story


  • Never Kick a Ghost and Other Silly Chillers


  • The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything


  • Hardly Haunted


  • Leo: A Ghost Story


  • Vampire Baby


  • Nightmares: Poems to Trouble Your Sleep