Ghosts, goblins, monsters, and lots of candy - oh, my! Halloween is a much-celebrated time for many children and adults. It is often a favorite time of year for scary stories. Kids love these stories. They bring fun and excitement to a dreary time of year. This list of 38 books will hopefully help you pick the best Halloween books to read with your children and provide them with a little bit of fun.
1. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A witch was able to grow the biggest pumpkin, and she would like to make a pumpkin pie for herself for Halloween. However, the pumpkin is so large that she cannot remove it from the vine. The ghost, vampire, and mummy cannot even remove it. Luckily, a bat is able to save the day!
2. Eek! Halloween! by Sandra Boynton
In this story, strange things seem to be happening. The chickens are even acting strange. They keep seeing unusual things such as a pumpkin with blinking eyes, and a mouse of humongous size. Maybe it is because it is Halloween!
3. Plinky Witch and the Grand Halloween Scheme by Liz Cooper
This adorable book is about Plinky Witch and her idea that Halloween should take place every night instead of only one time per year. The Happy Broomsticks Club works very hard to make this happen. However, they experience extraordinary consequences. Enjoy this cute tale of determination, cooperation, and friendship!
4. The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bickell
This cute book is the perfect book for Halloween! This adorable story is about a little ghost that flies up to someone to scare them only to realize she has lost her BOO! No matter how hard she tries it will not come out of her mouth.
5. Halloween Is Coming! by Cal Everett
This fun Halloween book for kids is a wonderful read-aloud filled with rhyming text. It is an excellent choice for children aged 4-8 years old, and it builds great Halloween excitement in them.
6. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
This book is a great read-aloud for the entire family! It is a terrific way to begin the celebration of Halloween festivities. This story is filled with adventure, kind gestures, and friendship. Read about a witch and her new friendships with animal friends as they face a great adventure!
7. Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
This hilarious and creepy story is about a brave rabbit and a pair of weird underwear. Jasper Rabbit is not afraid of anything until the lights go out, and his new underwear begins glowing in the dark. How creepy! He tries so hard to get rid of the creepy underwear, but they keep appearing!
8. The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari
This is one of the most adorable stories for kids ages 3-5. This beloved picture book is heartwarming, funny, and charming. Most saplings dream of the day they will become Christmas trees. The tree in this story is old and grumpy and wants to be different and becomes a Halloween tree!
9. The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders
This charming story is about a little girl that chases her giant pumpkin all over the town. It is a perfect story for children in preschool and kindergarten. It is a delightful Halloween picture book that is beautifully illustrated.
10. Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter
Your toddler or preschooler will enjoy this cute story and trick-or-treating with Larry. Kids will have fun pushing the button, scratching Larry's tummy, and shaking the book in this interactive story.
11. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
This must-read is Caldecott Honor–Winning Picture Book. Jasper Rabbit is fearful his favorite treats, which are carrots, are trying to get him. Are they actually following him around? Everything is fun and games until you choose to be greedy!
12. At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman
Many different creatures live at the old haunted house. Monsters, black cats, goblins, and more live there! This book is so much fun to read aloud with its rhyming verse, and the colorful illustrations are amazing. Begin your Halloween celebrations with this fun book!
13. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
There once was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything. One autumn night the little old lady heard strange noises as she was walking in the woods, and she became very scared! Enjoy this fun and scary read-aloud with your children!
14. The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea
Read this perfect book for Halloween! The narrator of this book is a ghost, but the story is not as scary as it claims. As a matter of fact, it is a little silly. Parents and their children will both enjoy this Halloween book.
15. Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
Big Witch and Little Witch want to invite their friends for dinner to eat the wonderful stew they have made. Skeleton gets confused and thinks the guest list is on the menu, so he begins running away. Ghost and Ghoul soon follow him. This silly story is a great read-aloud for Halloween.
16. Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
This is a great Halloween book for kids! It is the story of Crankenstein who happens to be a little monster filled with crankiness. Learn what happens when he meets his match with another Crankenstein. Children will love this funny story of grumpiness!
17. Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett
Leo is a great friend. He loves to make amazing snacks, he loves to draw, and he can't even be seen by most people because he is a ghost. Leo becomes friends with Jane, and their adventures soon begin. Enjoy the charming illustrations as well as this precious story about friendship.
18. Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle
Enjoy this New York Times best-selling Halloween book that is part of the Blue Truck series. Little Blue Truck is busily picking up all of his animal friends to take them to a Halloween costume party. Kids love lifting the flaps of this sturdy board book which allows them to find out who is dressed in each of the costumes.
19. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This book is a favorite pick from a list of middle-grade books. Keep your children engaged and entertained as they read about Nobody Owens. He is a normal boy who is being raised by ghosts, and he lives in a graveyard. This story is a classic children will enjoy for years to come!
20. Monster Trucks by Anika Denise
Monster truck fans will love this book! It is a delightful read-aloud that has a surprising twist ending. It is a great board book filled with pictures and rhyming text about a monster truck race in which one of the contestants is not quite who you would think.
21. Ghosts!: Ghostly Tales from Folklore by Alvin Schwartz
This engaging book is filled with funny and spooky tales about ghosts, and it will definitely keep your child's attention. It includes tales about ghosts that eat toast, ghosts that sing, and more. If you did not believe in ghosts before you started reading this book, it will likely change your mind.
22. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Kara McMahon
This is a retelling of the classic Halloween special about Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. Will the Great Pumpkin rise from the pumpkin patch and deliver toys to all the world's children? This story is spooky yet hilarious and is a great way to begin the Halloween season!
23. Hardly Haunted by Jessie Sima
Children enjoy this spooky story about an old house that just wants to be a home to someone. However, this house is a little spooky, creaky, and cobwebby. She tries her best to be perfect and hopes a family will want to move in. Will she find a family and finally become a home?
24. Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
This precious book focuses on the cycle of life. It includes the story of Tim and his first pumpkin carving. When Halloween was over, his pumpkin began rotting, so he placed it in the garden. It eventually disappeared and a new plant began to grow in its place.
25. Snowmen at Halloween by Caralyn Buehner
This cute story describes what snowmen do when we aren't watching. The children in this story have left to go trick-or-treating, so the snowmen decide to have their very own Halloween festivities. The next morning, the kids awaken to find the snowmen gone, but a special message has been left behind.
26. True Ghost Stories for Kids by Barbara Smith
27. Corduroy's Best Halloween Ever! by Don Freeman
This Halloween book is for Corduroy fans everywhere! Corduroy is so excited that Halloween is almost here because he is planning to have a Halloween party. He is planning pumpkin carving, apple bobbing, and trick-or-treating. However, he has no idea what costume he will wear!
28. Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson
Skeleton is enjoying dancing on his way to an exciting Halloween party. However, as he dances across the town, he stumbles, tumbles, and falls apart. Will Skeleton even make it to the Halloween party in one piece? Read this adorable story and find out!
29. Happy Halloween Flip-a-Flap by Rosa Vonfeder
This is the perfect interactive Halloween surprise for little ones. Keep your little one engaged with this interactive lift-the-flap book. It is filled with vibrant pictures of pumpkin patch fun. It even has a carrying handle!
30. Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell
Teach your youngster to count with this book that includes a witch, ghosts, and spookiness. A mean witch has moved into the house with ten timid ghosts and plans to scare them away one at a time. Will the ghosts end up scaring the witch away instead?
31. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills
Children will enjoy this haunted and humorous Halloween bus ride. This story follows along with the tune of the classical song of The Wheels on the Bus. It includes tricks, treats, a spooky bus, and goofy ghosts. This bus races through town and picks up unsuspecting passengers on its way.
32. Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete by James Dean
Kids will have a blast with this lift-the-flaps Halloween storybook. Follow Pete the Cat through town as he enjoys trick-or-treating. Find out what is hidden behind each of the doors. Each flap will reveal Halloween surprises and much fun.
33. There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
This is a super cute read-aloud perfect for bedtime. This interactive book will keep your child engaged because he will have to wiggle, shake, and tickle the adorable monster from the book. This is a great book for Halloween or any time of the year!
34. Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
The skeleton in this cute book, Bonaparte, is falling apart and needs help to put himself back together. How can he possibly go to school when he has lots of screws loose! However, he is lucky and has friends that have some interesting ideas to help him put himself back together.
35. The Last Train on Halloween by Cindy Jennings
Halloween is supposed to be the scariest night of the entire year. This spooky and engaging story seems so real, and your kids will enjoy reading it over and over. This is a can't-put-it-down book that kids will absolutely love!
36. The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing
Celebrate Halloween with this fun book that makes a terrific read-aloud. It is a story about monsters and goblins and what happens on Halloween when the little monsters find themselves face-to-face with trick-or-treaters that are humans!
37. Turkey Trick or Treat by Wendi Silvano
In this cute story, Turkey and his friends from the barnyard want candy for Halloween. Unfortunately, the farmer only gives the candy to children. Turkey and his friends decide to dress in costumes, so they can get some candy too. Will their plan work?
38. Hoot Howl Halloween by Becky Wilson
Little ones love this Halloween book that contains 10 spooky sounds. Your children will be engaged as they explore this haunted house and press the cute buttons, so they can hear wailing ghosts, cackling witches, flapping bats, jangling bones, and much more.
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