Stitch Head was a hit with children and teachers alike when it was first published in 2011, and now the adventures of the plucky little Stitch Head have found a new audience thanks to a graphic novel version and an animated film adaptation which brings Castle Grotteskew to life on screen. Many children will have read the book or seen the film and will be eager to discover what to pick up next. Whether they crave more monster mayhem, spooky humour or oddball heroes, we have curated a selection of brilliant books to dive into after the amazing Stitch Head.
Stitch Head: what to read next
Guy Bass’s Stitch Head is a fantastic story about a loveable monster and his adventures in an offbeat gothic world.
Quirky Gothic humour
The Notwitches by Gary Panton, illustrated by Dotty Sutton
Featuring a trio of horrible aunts, this wonderfully funny book follows 11-year-old Melanda Notwitch as she learns witchcraft to save herself from a life of servitude. With larger-than life, absurd characters and awesome black-and white illustrations throughout, this is a fabulous choice for fans of Stitch Head.
Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters by Jordan Kopy, illustrated by Chris Jevons
When an abandoned human baby is discovered in a graveyard by a group of monsters, they decide to raise her as one of their own. She grows up surrounded by quirky mummies, ghosts, zombies and more, and loves her spooky family. This action-packed story is perfect for fans of Stitch Head.
Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull by Martin Howard, illustrated by Pete Williamson
Like Stitch Head this story is gothic but playful. It begins with the death of the protagonist’s parents, but this is not such a big deal as she has always been able to speak to ghosts. But when her parents are ghost-napped Mallory must team up with a wise-cracking, wig-wearing skull to rescue them. Dark, atmospheric and utterly hilarious.
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Theodora Hendrix and the Monstrous League of Monsters
by Jordan Kopy, illustrated by Chris Jevons
2021 5 to 14 years
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Mallory Vayle and the Curse of Maggoty Skull
by Martin Howard, illustrated by Pete Williamson
2024 9 to 14 years
Marvellous monsters
Stitch by Pádraig Kenny, illustrated by Steve McCarthy
Stitch and Stitch Head share many themes, though Pádraig Kenny’s Stitch is a slightly more contemplative reimagining of the Frankenstein story. It encourages reflection and empathy as readers are made to question their assumptions about what it truly means to be a monster.
The Monsters at the End of the World by Rebecca Orwin
In a poisoned, ruined world, isolated communities live in fear of the monsters who roam the land. But when Sunny rescues a baby monster from a trap, she begins to realise that her assumptions about monsters are not entirely accurate. She starts to ask questions and unravel the truth of the world around her.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
A truly magical book that immerses its reader in a fantasy archipelago populated by a myriad of mythological monsters. This gripping story is a full-on adventure with magic, action, peril and some truly fantastic creatures to discover.
Underdog heroes
Scrap by Guy Bass
Another brilliant book by Guy Bass, this story follows Scrap, a small robot living on an isolated planet where humans are banned, who meets two children in need of his help. He is catapulted into a breakneck adventure full of action and humour. This is a fantastic read which is slightly more challenging than Stitch Head in terms of syntax and structure.
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
A story which needs little introduction, Cressida Cowells fantastic book is the first in a series which tells the tale of the underdog Hiccup and his journey to heroism along with his dragon partner Toothless. Readers may well have seen one or more of the associated films and feel motivated to get into reading the series.
Grumpfort by Jamie Hammond
Grumpfort has a slightly younger reading age than Stitch Head and is heaps and heaps of fun. Set in a small village surrounded by monster-infested woods, we follow Mo, a reluctant monster catcher, as he gets caught up in a madcap adventure alongside an unlikely bunch of monster pals who may not be as frightening as they first seem.
