Halloween Children’s Books: 33 Top Picks That Kids Will Love
Halloween Children's Books: 33 Top Picks That Kids Will Love
Are you looking for some spooky and fun Halloween children’s books? I created this post for teachers and parents to give you some ideas of books that kids will really enjoy. Whether you’re looking for something silly, scary, or somewhere in between, I have tons of options for you.
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Top Halloween Children's Books
Looking for some spooky stories to share with your little ones this Halloween season? Look no further! I've compiled a list of the top Halloween children's books, broken down by age group and book type starting with the youngest readers. From picture books to chapter books, there's something here for everyone.
Halloween Picture Books
Picture books are perfect for young children who are just starting to get into the Halloween spirit. Here are a few of my top picks:
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A friendly witch and her animal friends team up to defeat a dragon in this charming rhyming push and pull slide book.
The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
Grover from Sesame Street tries to stop you from turning the pages of this book, convinced that there's a monster waiting at the end.
Eek! Halloween! by Sandra Boynton
The chickens on the farm are spooked by all the strange sights and sounds of Halloween, until someone explains the concept of costumes to them.
Halloween Board Books
Board books are perfect for babies and toddlers who might not be ready for longer stories yet. Here are a few Halloween-themed board books to add to your collection:
Peek-a-Flap-Boo! by Rosa Von Feder
Lift the flaps and discover the Halloween surprises hiding underneath.
I Love You, Little Pumpkin! by Sandra Magsamen
This touch-and-feel board book features a cute little pumpkin who's excited to celebrate Halloween.
Boo! by Leslie Patricelli
Follow along as a baby goes trick-or-treating and encounters all sorts of spooky creatures.
Halloween Books for Toddlers
Toddlers might be ready for slightly longer stories with more complex plots. Here are a few Halloween books that are perfect for this age group:
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
A brave little old lady encounters various spooky items that seem to follow her. With her wits and courage, she manages to outwit each one, proving that even in the face of the unknown, she remains fearless.
Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
A classic Halloween rhyme comes to life in this colorful board book.
Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell
A group of ghosts is terrorized by a witch until they come up with a clever plan to scare her away.
Halloween Books for Kindergarten
Kindergarteners are ready for slightly longer stories with more complex themes. Here are a few Halloween books that are perfect for this age group:
The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
A dachshund named Oscar is teased by the other dogs for wearing a hot dog costume on Halloween, but he gets the last laugh when he saves the day.
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A witch, a ghost, a vampire, and a mummy all try to help a giant pumpkin grow, but it's a tiny bat who saves the day.
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain
In this fun and slightly spooky tale, the Berenstain Bear cubs venture into a creepy-looking tree at night, facing their fears and discovering that the spooky old tree isn't quite as scary as they thought. This is an 80s favorite for sure!
Halloween Books for Early Elementary Students
Young elementary students are ready for a little bit longer stories and they still love the pictures. Here are some of the best Halloween books for first and second grade students:
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler:
This delightful rhyming story follows a friendly witch as she invites various animals to join her on her broomstick. Together, they embark on an adventurous journey and ultimately work together to save the witch from a dragon.
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
Three animal friends – Cat, Squirrel, and Duck – live harmoniously making pumpkin soup together, until a disagreement leads to Duck running away. The friends learn the value of cooperation and friendship in this beautifully illustrated story.
These books offer a mix of whimsical and mildly spooky tales, perfect for young readers to enjoy during the Halloween season.
Halloween Children’s Books for Independent Readers
If you’re looking for some book ideas for independent readers that are fun, funny and they’ll enjoy reading I have some ideas for you. Check out a couple of the top picks for Halloween books for independent readers below.
Creepy Carrots! by, Aaron Reynolds Jasper, pictures by Peter Brown
Rabbit loves munching on the tasty carrots from Crackenhopper Field, until he starts to believe the carrots are following him! This humorous and slightly eerie story explores a playful take on fear and imagination.
Creepy Pair of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds, pictures by Peter Brown
Here’s a teacher favorite from the same team behind creepy carrots. Jasper the rabbit has new underwear that are super creepy. He tries everything to get rid of them, but they keep coming back!
Halloween Books for 10 Year Olds
Older children might be ready for longer, scarier stories. Here are a few Halloween books that are perfect for kids around 10 years old:
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A young girl discovers a mysterious door in her house that leads to a parallel universe where everything seems perfect, until she realizes that it's all a trap.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
A young boy is raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
A collection of spooky stories and urban legends that are sure to give you goosebumps.
Upper Elementary Halloween Books
These next novels are perfect for kids who are ready for longer, more complex stories. Here are a few Halloween-themed books for third through six graders to add to your collection:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
A young girl named Luna accidentally drinks moonlight, which gives her magical powers that she must learn to control.
The Peculiar Incident on Shady Street by Lindsay Currie
A girl named Tessa moves into a haunted house and sets out to uncover the truth about the ghost who's been haunting it for years.
The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
Two orphaned siblings go to work for a mysterious family in a creepy old mansion, where they discover a tree that seems to grant wishes.
Halloween Books for the Family
Reading together as a family is a great way to bond and create lasting memories. Here are some of the best Halloween books for the whole family that parents and children will enjoy.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
A group of friends embark on a magical journey through time and space to save their friend Pipkin's life and learn about the history of Halloween as they encounter various civilizations and traditions.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
Set in the quiet town of Sleepy Hollow, this classic tale follows the superstitious schoolteacher Ichabod Crane as he encounters the legendary figure of the Headless Horseman during a fateful Halloween night.
Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
Join the Little Blue Truck and his friends as they celebrate Halloween with costumes, fun, and a bit of spookiness, ultimately reminding everyone about the importance of friendship and community. This is a fun book for younger children.
These books offer a mix of adventure, humor, and a touch of the eerie, making them great choices for enjoying the Halloween season with your family.
Halloween Children's Books PDF
If you prefer to read books digitally, there are plenty of Halloween children's books available in e-book format that can also be converted to PDF format. Here are some of the best:
Peppa’s Halloween Party
It is the spookiest time of year! Peppa and her family play outside in the leaves, carve pumpkins, and dress up in costumes for a Halloween party with all of their friends!
The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky. By Jory John and Illustrated by Pete Oswald
Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday of the year. But what’s a seed to do when he can’t find a show-stopping costume for the big night? Find out in this hilarious, charming, and thought-provoking continuation of Jory John and Pete Oswald’s bestselling Food Group series.
There was an Old Lady that Swallowed a Bat, by Lucille Colandro
This spooky twist on the wildly popular "There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly" is perfect for fun Halloween reading!
Halloween Children's Books Free
You don't have to spend a lot of money to enjoy some great Halloween children's books. Here are some of the best free Halloween children's books that are available with a Kindle Unlimited subscription for free at the time I wrote this.
H is for Halloween
A fun rhyming alphabet book for Children is perfect for bedtime and young readers.
Harry’s Spooky Surprise (Harry the Happy Mouse Book 3)
Harry's Spooky Surprise is set around Halloween. Harry needs to visit his friends at nighttime to collect items from them for a very special reason! Harry learns that there is no reason to be afraid of the dark, and the importance of saying 'Thank You!'.
Where did all the Pumpkins Go? By Aaron Adams
This Halloween themed mystery book helps kids learn about friendship and kindness.
Funny Halloween Children's Books
Not all Halloween books have to be scary. Here are some of the best funny Halloween children's books:
Halloween by Jerry Seinfeld
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld takes a humorous look at Halloween through a collection of his musings, observations, and comedic insights, capturing the quirks and absurdities of the holiday.
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
This hilarious collection of poems presents classic monsters like Frankenstein, the Mummy, and the Phantom of the Opera in quirky, everyday situations, offering a fresh and humorous perspective on these famous characters.
These books should provide you with plenty of laughs and Halloween spirit!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some popular Halloween children's books from the 90s?
Some popular Halloween children's books from the 90s include "The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat" by Stan and Jan Berenstain, "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" by Linda Williams, and "In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories" by Alvin Schwartz.
What are some highly-rated Halloween children's books on Amazon?
Some highly-rated Halloween children's books on Amazon include "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson, "The Spooky Wheels on the Bus" by J. Elizabeth Mills, and "The Monster at the End of This Book" by Jon Stone.
What are some age-appropriate Halloween books for kindergarteners?
Some age-appropriate Halloween books for kindergarteners include "The Hallo-Wiener" by Dav Pilkey, "Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete" by James Dean, and "Five Little Pumpkins" by Dan Yaccarino.
What are some fun Halloween books for toddlers?
Some fun Halloween books for toddlers include "Where Is Baby's Pumpkin?" by Karen Katz, "Spooky Pookie" by Sandra Boynton, and "Boo! Peekaboo!" by Nina Laden.
What are some recommended Halloween picture books for kids?
Some recommended Halloween picture books for kids include "Ghosts in the House!" by Kazuno Kohara, "The Little Shop of Monsters" by R.L. Stine and Marc Brown, and "The Widow's Broom" by Chris Van Allsburg.
What are some spooky but not too scary Halloween books for 7 year olds?
Some spooky but not too scary Halloween books for 7-year-olds include "The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaiman, "The Halloween Tree" by Ray Bradbury, and "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare.
I hope you have found some Halloween children’s books in this list that you and your students or kids will enjoy this season!
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