Families who loved The Cabinet of Curiosities by Stefan Bachmann often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.

Reach for this book when your child starts expressing a fascination with the darker side of imagination or when they are outgrowing simple fairy tales but still want that sense of magic. This collection of thirty-six short stories acts as a safe, curated gallery of the macabre, allowing children to explore feelings of unease and curiosity within a controlled environment. The stories touch on themes of bravery, the consequences of curiosity, and the beauty found in strange places. While the tone is consistently eerie and gothic, the anthology format is perfect for reluctant readers or busy bedtimes. Each tale is brief, making it easy to digest one spine-tingling mystery at a time. It is a wonderful choice for parents who want to foster a love for sophisticated storytelling and rich vocabulary through a lens of Victorian-inspired horror that remains age-appropriate for the middle-grade reader.