Sid: A Horror Story For Parents And Children

by Joey Pettine, Stephen McAndrews (Cover Art), Kenny Dobson (Illustrator)

332 pages, Paperback

Published March 13, 2026

Reviews

[Makayla Gawlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joey Pettine's book is delightfully scary. Not only does it give the feeling of old school horror, it also prompts you to feel disgust, anger and sadness. The beginning of the book gave a vaguely familiar feeling of the games "Among the Sleep" and "Baby Blues Nightmares". But it certainly starts to turn into something of its own.

It also tugs on feelings very similar to one of your own as a kid and even as an adult. It almost feels like growing up all over again. Feeling the fear as a kid, getting blamed for things not your fault, parents fighting. Makes you feel like a small child again. While also understanding the parents point of view. It is a wonderful mixed bag of emotions.

A very easy read that makes your mind play it like a film. Definitely recommend for anyone that likes the classics like "Goosebumps".

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally read horror, but I needed to check out this book with the creepy, VHS-esque cover. Sid is a scary story for parents as much as it is for anyone who remembers being a kid. Is Sid real or something conjured from childhood trauma and adult amnesia? What starts as a slow burn hooks you like one of Sid’s gnarly claws. This book marries horror with humor and whimsy. Told from multiple perspectives, including a beloved dog and kick-ass imaginary friend, you never know what’s going to happen next.

[James Best · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unsettling book for parents and those who remember childhood alike. Pettine has a unique ability to put one in the head of a young person for whom the boundaries between what is real and what is not is thin.