Halloween season is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a cozy night of reading spooky (but not too scary!) stories with your little ones? Whether you’re looking for cute, spooky friends or haunted house adventures, there’s a perfect book for every young reader to enjoy. From friendly ghosts to shy witches, Halloween-themed books are a fun way to introduce kids to the magic of the holiday. Below is a list of the best Halloween books for kids, featuring everything from board books to picture books and even some spooky tales for older readers. Grab a warm blanket, dim the lights, and enjoy Halloween fun!
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1. Don’t Push the Button! A Halloween Treat
We’re kicking off our list with a fun, interactive board book perfect for younger readers. Don’t Push the Button! In a Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter, readers are invited to join Larry the Monster on a silly adventure where they must resist the urge to push that tempting button. With its simple text and interactive flaps, this book is perfect for little kids who love to giggle while embracing the Halloween spirit. It’s a great way to teach younger children about cause and effect while having a good time!
2. Five Little Pumpkins on Sesame Street
A Halloween favorite for the little ones, Five Little Pumpkins on Sesame Street brings a familiar Halloween rhyme to life with the help of everyone’s favorite Sesame Street characters. This fun book features colorful illustrations and simple text and is a great read for bedtime stories during the spooky season. It’s the perfect balance of Halloween fun and a comforting read for young children. Bonus points if you read it with dimmed lights for that extra spooky effect!
3. Halloween Is Coming!
This charming story by Cal Everett is perfect for getting kids excited about Halloween night. The fun rhymes, combined with vibrant, colorful illustrations, follow the Halloween preparations—from picking out costumes to decorating the house. It’s one of those fun picture books that gets your little ones pumped for trick-or-treating and all the Halloween fun. This book is an excellent thing to have on hand when Halloween is just around the corner, and your kids need a little extra excitement to get into the Halloween spirit.
4. How to Catch a Monster & How to Catch a Witch
These two books from the How to Catch series by Adam Wallace are absolute favorites when combining Halloween scares with a playful tone. Kids are encouraged to use creativity to catch a not-so-scary monster in How to Catch a Monster. On the other hand, How to Catch a Witch is a newer release and adds a little old witch to the mix, making for an exciting Halloween adventure. Both are great reads for young children who love a bit of mischief without too many spooky vibes. They are a fun way to teach kids problem-solving while having a good time!
5. The Halloween Tree
The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari is a fun and charming story about a grumpy little tree who doesn’t want to be a Christmas tree. Instead, the tree prefers Halloween and dreams of becoming a spooky Halloween tree. This book has colorful illustrations that bring the quirky personality of the tree to life. It’s a great read for younger readers who enjoy stories with a touch of humor and a unique main character. It’s also a fun way to teach kids about embracing what makes them different, making it a perfect book to read during Halloween.
6. A Halloween Scare in California
This is a must for all the California locals out there for your Halloween book collection. In A Halloween Scare in California by Eric James, the main character embarks on a spooky adventure through the Golden State, encountering giant monsters and other strange things. The illustrations are engaging, and the story is cute with a bit of local flair. This book is fun to read aloud at Halloween parties or during your family’s Halloween festivities.
Not in California, no need to fear. Some other states included in the A Halloween Scare Books are:
- A Halloween Scare in Texas
- A Halloween Scare in New Jersey
- A Halloween Scare in Tennessee
- A Halloween Scare in Maryland
- A Halloween Scare in Michigan
- A Halloween Scare in Chicago
- A Halloween Scare in New York
- A Halloween Scare in California
- A Halloween Scare in Washington
7. The Ugly Pumpkin
You can’t have a list of the best Halloween books without including The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz. This heartwarming story follows a sad little pumpkin who doesn’t quite fit in with the others in the pumpkin patch. The story delivers a beautiful message about self-acceptance and finding where you belong, making it an excellent read for younger readers and older kids alike. It’s a charming story that hits the perfect balance of Halloween fun and heartfelt emotion with a few laughs.
8. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
You can’t go wrong with anything by Julia Donaldson, and Room on the Broom is one of her best Halloween-themed books for young readers. This story follows a kind-hearted witch as she makes new friends with helpful animals along the way. It’s a sweet, funny story with adorable illustrations by Axel Scheffler. The witch and her animal friends face a spooky challenge but always come together. It’s the perfect Halloween story for little ones who might be nervous about dark rooms or spooky stories.
9. The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
From The Bad Seed series by Jory John, this Halloween edition is a great book for kids who enjoy humorous characters and fun storylines. In The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky, our favorite little seed is back and trying to find the perfect Halloween costume. It’s a funny and relatable story for young children who might be stressing about their Halloween costume decisions, making it an excellent read for Halloween night.
10. Flavia Z. Drago’s Gustavo, The Shy Ghost
If your kids love stories about friendly ghosts, Gustavo, The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago is the perfect read. Gustavo is a little ghost who is so shy that he struggles to make new friends. This adorable and heartwarming story is perfect for younger readers who may have fears of their own when it comes to making friends or facing new situations. The illustrations are full of Halloween spirit, and the message is a beautiful reminder that even the shyest among us have a place in the world.
11. Sir Simon: Super Scarer
Speaking of friendly ghosts, Sir Simon: Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson is another fun book about a little ghost learning the ropes of his spooky job. This cute story is about Sir Simon, who moves into a haunted house and is supposed to scare the new family—only he gets more than he bargained for with a young girl who is determined to be his friend. It’s a great story for teaching kids about friendships and overcoming misunderstandings, with a good mix of humor and heart.
12. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
This book is a timeless classic for young children, and it’s especially great for reading aloud in a dark room with the spooky sounds of wind in the background. In The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, the main character encounters various strange things in the dark forest but remains fearless. It’s a fun way to help kids overcome their fears of the unknown and embrace the excitement of Halloween night.
13. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
For older readers, nothing beats the thrill of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz. These spooky stories and creepy illustrations are perfect for kids ready for something a bit scarier but still kid-friendly. This collection is full of dark rooms, spooky friends, and strange happenings—making it an excellent pick for those who want to dive into horror books without going too far.
15. The Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
Another adorable book for younger readers is The Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle. Little Blue Truck takes readers on a fun field trip to a Halloween party at a pumpkin patch, where he and his animal friends show off their costumes. This is the perfect read for toddlers who love interactive flaps and colorful illustrations, making it one of the best books to introduce little ones to Halloween stories.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re searching for a fun book to read by the pumpkin patch or a spooky story to share in a dark room, these Halloween-themed books are the perfect read for kids of all ages. From interactive board books to spooky adventures for older kids, there’s something here for every young reader to enjoy. So, grab one (or two!) from this list of the best Halloween books for kids, and get ready for a cozy night of reading during the spooky season!
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