There's the story of 'The Girl in the Red Dress'. In this story, a girl in a red dress is seen in an old, abandoned house. She is said to be a ghost of a child who died there long ago. Also, 'The Gray Lady' is often told. She is a ghostly figure that haunts old castles or mansions, and her appearance is often accompanied by a cold chill. These stories are spooky and have been passed down among kids for generations.
A very famous scary kid ghost story is 'The Babadook'. It's about a monster that comes to haunt a mother and her son after they read a strange pop - up book. The entity is very menacing and represents the mother's inner demons as well as an external threat. Another one is 'La Llorona' which is a Latin - American ghost story. La Llorona is a weeping woman who lost her children and now wanders, looking for them. Her cries are often heard near bodies of water at night, and she's a very scary figure in these stories.
One classic is 'The Hook'. It's about a couple parked in a lovers' lane. They hear on the radio about an escaped lunatic with a hook for a hand. Then they hear a scratching noise on the car door. When the boy drives away in a panic, they find a hook hanging from the door handle. It's a simple but effective story that gives kids a good scare.
There's a story about 'The Library Ghost'. In a small town library, there were rumors of a ghost that would turn the pages of books when no one was around. A girl who loved to read often felt a cold breeze while she was in the library. One day, she found out that it was the old librarian who had passed away but still loved books so much that she seemed to be around taking care of them. It gives a bit of a spooky feeling but is not too terrifying for kids.
One classic is 'The Turn of the Screw' by Henry James. It's a very eerie story about a governess who believes the children she's taking care of are being haunted by the ghosts of their former servants. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw' by W.W. Jacobs. A family comes into possession of a magical monkey's paw that can grant wishes, but with terrifying consequences. And 'Dracula' by Bram Stoker, which features the iconic vampire Count Dracula who is often associated with the undead and ghost - like qualities.
There's a story of a group of kids camping in the woods. At night, they heard a soft crying. They followed the sound and found an old, abandoned cabin. Inside, they saw the apparition of a child sitting in a corner. The apparition told them that she died in a fire there long ago and was looking for someone to play with. The kids ran away as fast as they could.
Well, 'The Monkey's Paw' is a very well - known scary fictional ghost story. It shows how a simple paw can bring misfortune and horror as the wishes made upon it come true in the most unexpected and dreadful ways. Also, Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Fall of the House of Usher' has elements of a ghostly presence. The decay of the house and the strange happenings seem to be related to some kind of otherworldly force.
One well - known scary British ghost story is 'The Woman in Black'. It's set in an old, spooky house in a desolate area. The apparition of the woman in black is often associated with the death of children. Another is 'The Monkey's Paw'. Although not strictly a traditional British ghost story in the sense of a spectral figure, it has a very eerie and supernatural feel. The paw has the power to grant wishes but always with a terrible and unforeseen consequence.
The idea of the afterlife presented in a spooky way is quite scary. The kid ghosts seem to be stuck in a limbo between life and death. In the story of the girl seeing the boy in the attic, the boy was trapped there for decades. It makes you wonder about what could keep a soul in such a state. Also, the way the ghosts interact with the living kids, like the girl in the cabin asking to play, is both strange and frightening.
Most likely, there are some scary parts in the 'Random House Kid Ghost Stories'. The idea of ghosts alone can be intimidating to kids. But these stories are also designed to be age - appropriate, so while there may be scares, they won't be too extreme or traumatizing for young readers.
One classic is the story of the New Year's Eve Phantom. Legend has it that on the stroke of midnight, a figure in a tattered white gown appears in the town square. It's said to be the spirit of a person who died on New Year's Day many years ago, unable to move on. Another is about a haunted mansion where every New Year, strange noises come from the attic as if the ghosts are having their own New Year's celebration.
On one hand, these stories can be a form of entertainment for kids. They like the thrill of being a little scared, like when they listen to a story about a haunted forest. But on the other hand, it can lead to sleep problems. If a child is really sensitive and hears a very spooky ghost story right before bed, they may have trouble falling asleep because they keep thinking about the scary elements in the story. Also, it can sometimes make children more cautious in certain situations. For instance, if they hear a story about a ghost in a dark alley, they might be more hesitant to go into dark alleys in real life.