40 of the Finest Halloween Books for Children

Studying is a good exercise that educates your youngsters and might preserve them entertained. And October is the proper time to learn scary tales along with your youngsters! There are a lot of satisfying Halloween books for younger youngsters, whether or not you’re in search of one thing somewhat frightful or desire a extra tame, festive story to learn along with your little ones. That’s why we’re sharing our high 40 Halloween books for youngsters.
40 of the Finest Halloween Books for Children
Don’t simply carve pumpkins this month; carve out a while along with your youngsters to learn Halloween-themed books! Listed below are 40 implausible youngsters’s books for the spooky season, together with what they’re about and why we advocate them.
1. “At The Outdated Haunted Home” by Helen Ketteman
Purchase Right here
To kick off our checklist, we have now “At The Outdated Haunted Home,” which options various kinds of monster households, similar to a ma werewolf and her wee wolfies and a papa vampire and his little vamps. The story culminates in an enormous Halloween occasion, the Halloween Fright, the place trick-or-treaters be a part of the monsters for enjoyable and video games. This guide is crammed with daring illustrations, and the monster sounds will make it entertaining to learn aloud along with your youngsters.
2. “The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Outdated Tree” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Purchase Right here
This suspenseful guide with the Berenstain Bears is ideal for younger youngsters to learn on Halloween. Brother Bear, Sister Bear, and Honey Bear discover an previous, spooky tree with many issues to discover, together with twisted stairs, a shifting wall with a large key, and a creepy corridor crammed with armor. Though the three little bears are scared, they’re daring sufficient to maintain exploring — till they encounter a large sleeping bear and should scurry again house!
3. “The Berenstain Bears Trick or Deal with” by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Purchase Right here
Right here’s one other Halloween story from the Berenstain Bears collection. Brother and Sister Bear are excited (and nervous) to go trick-or-treating with out their dad and mom. Whereas discussing their sweet route, Brother says they gained’t go to previous Ms. McGrizz’s home as a result of she’s a witch. However on Halloween, a gang of bears takes Brother and Sister to the lady’s house! Fortunately, Ms. McGrizz seems to be a form, aged bear who gives the cubs scrumptious sweet apples. This guide teaches youngsters that appearances may be deceiving, and because it has extra textual content than the earlier one, it could be appropriate for youths with the next studying degree.
4. “Massive Pumpkin” by Erica Silverman
Purchase Right here
This Halloween guide is a wonderful, non-scary possibility for youths. In “Massive Pumpkin,” a witch desires to bake pumpkin pie, so she decides to develop a pumpkin. The pumpkin grows and grows, however when the witch tries to take it off the vine, it gained’t budge! A ghost, vampire, and mummy every attempt to transfer the pumpkin, however none are robust sufficient. Ultimately, a bat comes together with a superb concept: they’ll work collectively to maneuver the pumpkin!
5. “Bonaparte Falls Aside” by Margery Cuyler
Purchase Right here
Bonaparte is somewhat skeleton who’s actually falling aside! He worries that everybody will make enjoyable of him as soon as faculty begins. His pals Franky Stein, Blacky Widow, and Mummicula devise methods to maintain Bonaparte’s bones collectively, however regardless of their greatest efforts, nothing appears to work. However Bonaparte’s pals aren’t about to surrender on him! As they seek for options, they notice {that a} furry, fetching companion is likely to be simply what Bonaparte wants.
6. “Bone Soup” by Cambria Evans
Purchase Right here
Finnigan, who everybody is aware of has a “ravenous urge for food,” travels on Halloween trying to find a feast. As he approaches a close-by city, Finnigan greets a witch, who abruptly flies away. The witch warns the city of Finnigan’s arrival, and the monsters shortly stash away their components, afraid that “the Eater” will take all their meals. After nobody gives him something to eat, Finnigan plans to make “bone soup.” This intrigues the stingy townsfolk, who be taught a factor or two about sharing.
7. “Courageous Little Camper Saves Halloween!” by Rosa Von Feder
Purchase Right here
On the eve of Halloween, a bunch of mischievous raccoons break into Farmer MacDonald’s area and steal her prize pumpkin. Who will lead the Halloween parade now? Enter one courageous little camper! It’s formed like a pumpkin, so Farmer MacDonald and her animal pals paint and beautify the little camper, turning it into a glittery orange “pumpkin.” The little camper is the star of the parade and wins an enormous blue ribbon, formally saving the day.
8. “Clifford’s First Halloween” by Norman Bridwell
Purchase Right here
On this guide, Clifford’s proprietor, Emily Elizabeth, recounts the story of her little pink pet’s first Halloween. Clifford had dressed up as a tiny ghost, and the duo accomplished a number of enjoyable actions, like trick-or-treating and carving pumpkins. Their household had additionally thrown a Halloween occasion, which concerned consuming sweet apples (and bathing a sticky Clifford), going via a haunted home, and Mommy telling a scary story. Babies will love this quick guide that includes cute footage!
9. “Corduroy’s Finest Halloween Ever!” by Don Freeman
Purchase Right here
Right here’s one other cute character who’s having a Halloween occasion: Corduroy! On this story, it’s virtually Halloween, and the stuffed bear and his pals are making ready for the massive occasion. There’s only one factor Corduroy forgot: a fancy dress! After making an attempt on a number of choices, Corduroy finds a dino masks and creates his very personal costume to go together with it. He’s all set for the occasion — till Pet arrives with a ripped costume. Can Corduroy assist his pal and discover himself a brand new outfit in time for trick-or-treating?
10. “Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds
Purchase Right here
A little bit bunny named Jasper Rabbit can’t get sufficient of the carrots in Crackenhopper Area. He eats them each probability he will get, earlier than faculty, after baseball apply, at evening, and so forth. At some point, Jasper’s greatest love turns into his greatest concern when “creepy carrots” begin to hang-out him! These greens stalk him at each flip, scaring him within the area, rest room, bed room, and extra. However each time Jasper cries out to his dad and mom, they’ll’t discover any creepy carrots. What is going to Jasper do to flee this insanity?!
11. “Creepy Pair of Underwear!” by Aaron Reynolds
Purchase Right here
Jasper Rabbit returns within the chilling sequel, “Creepy Pair of Underwear!” Whereas purchasing together with his mother, Jasper (now an enormous rabbit) decides he desires a pair of cool, creepy underwear. These new underpants are a superb match, however he quickly discovers they’ve a scary inexperienced glow when the lights are out! Jasper tries to get rid of the creepy underwear, however they’re indestructible! He tries hiding them, mailing them away, and reducing them up, however they preserve returning. Jasper buries the creepy underwear far down within the floor as a final resort. Nonetheless, when he lies in his darkish bed room that evening, Jasper realizes he may have the inexperienced glow in spite of everything.
12. “Dr. Seuss’s Spooky Issues” by Dr. Seuss
Purchase Right here
Dr. Seuss’s wacky characters Factor One and Factor Two come collectively on this Halloween guide for little youngsters. The guide follows the inseparable duo as they fight on all kinds of matching costumes — cats, bats, lions, frogs, and extra! That is a simple learn for young children, because it makes use of easy language and rhyming phrases to maintain them engaged.
13. “Eek! Halloween!” by Sandra Boynton
Purchase Right here
It’s Halloween evening, and the chickens are scared and confused concerning the weird issues taking place round them. They see unknown creatures like a wizard, a witch, and a large mouse and listen to unfamiliar seems like “Boo!” and “Trick or deal with!” — what may very well be happening? You’ll need to learn “Eek! Halloween!” to search out out!
14. “5 Little Pumpkins on Sesame Road” by Sesame Workshop and Erin Guendelsberger
Purchase Right here
This colourful Sesame Road guide adapts the favored Halloween track for youths, “5 Little Pumpkins.” On this story, Elmo, Cookie Monster, Zoe, Grover, and Abby are dressed up as pumpkins and able to go trick-or-treating collectively. Alongside the way in which, they encounter a grouchy ghost, witchy twiddlebugs, and different neighbors. Abruptly, a gust of wind sends Zoe’s trick-or-treat bag rolling out of sight! Can her pals discover a strategy to cheer her up?
15. “Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody” by Michael Rex
Purchase Right here
Right here’s an eye catching Halloween guide that parodies the traditional bedtime story for youths, “Goodnight Moon.” As a substitute of a bunny making ready for mattress, somewhat werewolf tries to get some shut-eye in his terrifying tomb. However a Goon disturbs his bedtime routine and summons many creepy creatures, together with a witch, a vampire, and mummies. Lastly, the previous werewolf hollers “Boo!” to drive out the monsters, and the little werewolf will get the Goon underneath his mattress so everybody can sleep peacefully.
16. “Goodnight, Little Monster” by Helen Ketteman
Purchase Right here
This heartwarming bedtime story is narrated by a mom monster who’s getting her little monster prepared for mattress. The mother bathes her child monster, helps it placed on its pajamas, and provides it a tasty snack earlier than bedtime: worm juice and beetle bread. Then, mother reads her little monster a superb guide, ensures no scary youngsters are underneath the mattress, tucks child into mattress, and activates the nightlight. Studying about these candy monsters will assist your toddler settle down earlier than mattress, and this story reassures youngsters that mother continues to be close by after they’re asleep.
17. “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson
Purchase Right here
“The Gruffalo” is one other monster story that’s acceptable for Halloween. On this guide, a crafty mouse walks via the woods, the place he encounters a number of bigger animals that need to eat him. Every time, the mouse manages to scare away the animals by warning them of the terrifying gruffalo (which the mouse has made up). The mouse’s plan works advantageous . . . till he runs right into a REAL gruffalo! After all, the gruffalo finds the mouse appetizing and plans to eat him, however can the mouse outwit this predator?
18. “The Halloween Tree” by Susan Montanari
Purchase Right here
On a Christmas tree farm, younger saplings are excited to develop into huge bushes for households to take house — aside from one grumpy sapling. This one doesn’t like lights, individuals, or decorations, and as an alternative of rising into a phenomenal Christmas tree, the sapling turns into a twisted, crooked tree with no leaves. Because the years move, the farm disappears, and houses are constructed across the remaining tree. The neighborhood youngsters begin to play on the tree, and slowly, the grumpy tree begins to love individuals and want for lights and decorations. When dad and mom determine to chop down the tree, the youngsters should show its price, they usually beautify it as a spooky Halloween tree.
19. “Hoot Howl Halloween” by Becky Wilson and Parragon Books
Purchase Right here
This Halloween soundbook is a wonderful selection for youthful youngsters! As you learn, your toddler can press the buttons and listen to sounds that may convey the pages to life, together with witches cackling, bones rattling, and bats flapping their wings. Children can simply flip the pages utilizing the character cutouts on the high of the guide, making it much more interactive. This rhyming story options cute illustrations that you just and your youngsters will get pleasure from.
20. “Find out how to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace
Purchase Right here
Have your youngsters ever been apprehensive a few monster hiding underneath their mattress or inside their closet? This Halloween guide is a enjoyable strategy to present youngsters there’s nothing to concern! In “Find out how to Catch a Monster,” a brave younger ninja decides that he’s going to be a hero and scare away the large, inexperienced monster who lives in his closet. However after efficiently trapping the creature in a cage, the little ninja finds out the monster isn’t as scary as he appears; the truth is, he is likely to be his new pal!
21. “Find out how to Make Mates with a Ghost” by Rebecca Inexperienced
Purchase Right here
Right here’s one other useful information that teaches youngsters the way to befriend and take care of a ghost. This complete handbook shares all the things it is advisable to learn about ghosts, together with how a ghost can discover you and the way to convey one house. It additionally covers feeding (recipes included), really useful actions, bedtime ideas, hiding spots in your ghost, and potential hazards. Lastly, it explains the advantages of rising up with (and rising previous with) your ghost pal.
22. “It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!” by Laura Numeroff
Purchase Right here
From the “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie” collection, “It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!” follows the titular mouse character as he paints a number of pumpkins for fall. Canine later joins Mouse within the pumpkin patch, and the 2 beautify pumpkins collectively. You should use this guide to assist younger youngsters establish and acknowledge feelings, similar to happiness and disappointment, because the characters paint the pumpkins’ faces.
23. “Little Blue Truck’s Halloween” by Alice Schertle
Purchase Right here
This rhyming, lift-the-flap guide is a Halloween story from the Little Blue Truck collection. Little Blue Truck is driving to a Halloween occasion together with his pal Toad, selecting up all their barnyard pals alongside the way in which. The animal pals put on masks and gown up in extravagant and foolish costumes. Children can attempt to guess which animal is sporting every outfit; then, they’ll raise the flap to see if their guess is appropriate!
24. “The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt” by Riel Nason
Purchase Right here
This guide is about somewhat ghost who struggles with being totally different. Whereas his dad and mom and pals are all sheets, this little ghost is a checkered quilt product of heavy material, which prevents him from flying properly. One Halloween, he and his pals watch people go trick-or-treating from afar, and the little ghost disguises himself on a porch. Earlier than he is aware of it, he’s mistaken for an precise quilt! A mom takes the quilted ghost and wraps him round her daughter for heat. They bring about the ghost house, the place he feels cozy and is admired by the mom. After escaping, the little ghost tells his pals about his adventures and effortlessly flies via the sky, now appreciating his uniqueness.
25. “Los Gatos Black on Halloween” by Marisa Montes
Purchase Right here
“Los Gatos Black on Halloween” options English and Spanish phrases, which is ideal for bilingual youngsters studying these languages. This guide describes all “the creatures of the evening” who awaken on Halloween, similar to gatos black (black cats), brujas (witches), and fantasmas (ghosts). The creatures collect at a haunted mansion, the place they throw a “monstrous ball” and revel in dancing and taking part in music. However the worst factor they may think about occurs: a bunch of trick-or-treaters interrupts the enjoyable!
26. “The Night time Earlier than Halloween” by Natasha Wing
Purchase Right here
We all know what occurs the evening earlier than Christmas, however what concerning the evening earlier than Halloween? All of the monsters — mummies, spiders, witches, ghouls, and so forth. — beautify the home and prepare for trick-or-treaters. All the youngsters, in the meantime, are having candy desires of Halloween sweet. The following evening, the youngsters are in for a shock after they go trick-or-treating on the monster home! Children will love this Halloween guide with a spooky twist on the vacation bedtime story.
27. “One, Two…Boo!” by Kristen L. Depken
Purchase Right here
“One, Two…Boo!”takes youngsters via a haunted home with Halloween creatures and gadgets like jack-o’-lanterns, sleeping bats, effervescent and brewing witches’ pots, and scary ghosts. This guide contains flaps on doorways, cabinets, and extra, which youngsters can raise to disclose particular surprises. It’s additionally a wonderful method for youths to apply counting numbers as much as 10.
28. “Pug & Pig Trick or Deal with” by Sue Lowell Gallion
Purchase Right here
The lovable pair of Pug and Pig are celebrating Halloween on this charming image guide. Pug and Pig are dressed up for trick-or-treating of their matching skeleton costumes, however whereas Pig adores her outfit, Pug feels very uncomfortable and tears his to items. This leaves Pig unhappy and lonely, questioning who she’s going to have fun the vacation with now. Nonetheless, Pug will get an concept for a brand new (and extra cozy) costume that may save Pig’s Halloween!
29. “Pumpkin Jack” by Will Hubbell
Purchase Right here
“Pumpkin Jack” explores the circle of lifetime of a jack-o’-lantern. On this guide, a boy named Tim carves his first pumpkin, which he calls Jack. Tim believes that Jack is “virtually magic” and retains the pumpkin for so long as he can, however it slowly begins to rot. As a substitute of throwing Jack away, Tim leaves his pumpkin within the backyard to decompose. Because the seasons change, a inexperienced sprout grows in Jack’s place, and by the subsequent Halloween, Tim is reunited together with his beloved pumpkin.
30. “The Roll-Away Pumpkin” by Junia Wonders
Purchase Right here
In “The Roll-Away Pumpkin,” Marla Little’s large pumpkin gained’t cease rolling away from her! Many townsfolk be a part of Marla in chasing after the large pumpkin, together with the farmer, the baker, and the milkman. However the pumpkin retains on rolling, and it even rolls into the vegetable parade! Is there something (or anybody) that may cease it?
31. “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson
Purchase Right here
“Room on the Broom” is a few witch who (you guessed it!) has a number of room on her broom. The sort witch is hovering via the sky along with her cat when she drops her pointy black hat, however a well mannered canine fetches it and joins the witch on her journey. The witch continues making animal pals that accompany her on her broom — till it snaps from all the load! That’s when a ferocious dragon seems and tries to eat the witch! However don’t fear, her new pals will come collectively (actually) to avoid wasting her.
32. “The Scarecrow’s Dance” by Jane Yolen
Purchase Right here
This guide comprises a touching story and beautiful illustrations. One windy autumn evening, a scarecrow in a cornfield leaps off his stick and gracefully dances away from his submit. As he sways down the dust street, he passes by the barn and approaches the farmhouse, the place he spies a boy praying in his bed room. After listening to the boy’s prayers for a wholesome farm, together with a blessing for the scarecrow, the dancing straw determine is moved and returns to his submit to satisfy his responsibility.
33. “Snowmen at Halloween” by Caralyn Buehner
Purchase Right here
In “Snowmen at Halloween,” a boy and his sister construct some snowmen and gown them in spooky costumes. Once they depart to go trick-or-treating, the boy thinks he sees one of many snowmen wink at him, and he imagines what their snowy creations will do for the vacation. Maybe they are going to be in a Halloween parade and attend a carnival? Will they eat candy treats, navigate a twisted maze, and inform scary tales? Learn this to search out out!
34. “Spooky Pookie” by Sandra Boynton
Purchase Right here
This best-selling Halloween guide is a pleasant learn for younger youngsters! In “Spookie Pookie,” little Pookie’s mother tells the younger piggy all about trick-or-treating. Earlier than they’ll take part within the festivities, Pookie should select the perfect costume. Pookie appears on the choices within the particular Halloween costume field, which has a clown costume, a pumpkin costume, and plenty of different selections. Which one will Pookie select?
35. “Ten Timid Ghosts” by Jennifer O’Connell
Purchase Right here
Ghosts are alleged to do the scaring, proper? Effectively, not these frightened phantoms. On this story, 10 timid ghosts are terrorized by a imply witch who desires to maneuver into their haunted house. One after the other, she drives out the ghouls by scaring them with creatures similar to a black cat, a monster, and a vampire. However these unhoused ghosts gained’t go away so simply; they’ll give the witch a hair-raising fright that may make her run for the hills.
36. “There Was an Outdated Woman Who Swallowed a Bat!” by Lucille Colandro
Purchase Right here
This hilarious guide is a Halloween parody of the well-known youngsters’s rhyme, “There Was an Outdated Woman Who Swallowed a Fly.” However as an alternative of swallowing a fly, this peculiar previous girl gulps down all the things from a bat and a few bones to a ghost and a goblin. Discover out what occurs when she swallows a wizard and yells, “Trick or deal with!”
37. “Trick ARRRR Deal with: A Pirate Halloween” by Leslie Kimmelman
Purchase Right here
With pirate phrases and a catchy chorus, this one is enjoyable to learn aloud along with your youngsters. On this guide, a bunch of children are trick-or-treating on Halloween — pirate-style. This implies plundering treasure, demanding sweet,and NO smiling or being candy. The cruel band of child pirates advances via the neighborhood, however one thing huge and furry is tailing them, and it desires a chunk of their loot.
38. “The Very Hungry Zombie: A Parody” by Michael Teitelbaum
Purchase Right here
You’ve most likely learn Eric Carle’s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to your toddler, however do you know there’s a Halloween model of this traditional youngsters’s guide? Written by Michael Teitelbaum, this deliciously dreadful parody follows a brain-eating zombie who can’t get sufficient to eat! This “horrifically hungry zombie” consumes every kind of people, together with an astronaut and a circus clown. Be careful, or your youngsters would possibly catch “zombieitis!”
39. “The place’s My Mummy?” by Carolyn Crimi
Purchase Right here
It is a cute Halloween-themed bedtime story for youngsters. Little Child Mummy desires to play “Cover and Shriek” together with his mom earlier than mattress. He eagerly runs off and hides within the cemetery, ready for Massive Mama Mummy to search out him, however she doesn’t come! Little Child Mummy searches via the woods, the swamp, and a cave, anxiously in search of his mummy. Will he discover his mom and return house safely to his mattress?
40. “The Witch’s Cat” by Sonica Ellis
Purchase Right here
This Halloween guide touches on themes of range and inclusion. Pepper is an cute black cat that lives in Salem along with her Aunt Glinda, a witch. All of the cats on the town play collectively, however since Pepper is the one black cat, she worries the others gained’t need to be pals along with her. Pepper begs her aunt to create a spell to make the opposite cats like her, and shortly after, she makes a number of new pals! However was it her aunt’s spell that did the trick?
And there you’ve got it — 40 of the perfect Halloween books for youths! We hope these tales fill your October with spooks and smiles. Blissful studying! And for extra Halloween enjoyable, take a look at our film suggestions in Halloween Films for Children.