Halloween is almost here! Pumpkins are showing up on porches, costumes are coming out of closets, and kids are getting super excited. But you know what adds to the Halloween fun? A good book!
Halloween books with friendly monsters and magical adventures can light up a kid’s imagination and add some seasonal fun. In this blog post, we’ve put together a list of the 16 best Halloween books for kids that are just right for cozy fall reading sessions. Some are old classics, and others might be new discoveries for you.
Ready to find your next favorite read? Let’s turn the page and dive in!
Room on the Broom
📖 Plot: The kind-hearted witch and her loyal cat soar through the skies on a magical broomstick. When the wind blows away the witch’s belongings, helpful animals come to the rescue, but is there enough room on the broom for everyone? And when danger strikes, can their teamwork save the day from a hungry dragon?
🌟 Lesson: The power of friendship, sharing, and acceptance. The author teaches children the value of helping others and working together, all while weaving a story that’s as heartwarming as it is adventurous.
🎁 Perfect for: Reading aloud during Halloween or any time of year when a bit of magic and laughter are needed. Whimsical illustrations bring the characters to life, captivating young readers and listeners alike with every turn of the page.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
📖 Plot: Little Blue Truck prepares for a Halloween costume party with his animal friends. Lift the flaps on each page to discover which characters are dressed up in festive costumes. Will Little Blue Truck decide to wear a costume too?
🌟 Lesson: Friendship, fun, and the excitement of dressing up for Halloween. Through interactive flaps, children can engage in guessing games and learn animal names while enjoying the festive spirit of the holiday.
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers. This sturdy board book is perfect for interactive storytime sessions.
Spooky Pookie
📖 Plot: Pookie, the adorable little pig, tries on different Halloween costumes in search of the perfect one. From dragons to dinosaurs, Pookie explores various options, but which costume will be chosen?
🌟 Lesson: Decision-making and the excitement of dressing up for Halloween. Through Pookie’s playful journey, toddlers learn about exploring options and finding what makes them happy.
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers and young children. With its sturdy board book format, colorful illustrations, and engaging storyline, it’s perfect for interactive reading sessions with little ones, whether at bedtime or during playtime.
The Monster at the End of This Book
✏️ by Jon Stone
📖 Plot: Join Grover in a hilarious adventure as he desperately tries to prevent readers from turning the pages of this book, fearing there’s a monster waiting at the end!
🌟 Lesson: Curiosity and overcoming fears. Grover’s antics show that sometimes things aren’t as scary as they seem, and surprises can be delightful.
🎁 Perfect for: Young children, parents, and caregivers who enjoy interactive reading sessions. Children under five will particularly enjoy the playful suspense and surprise ending, making it a beloved addition to any home or classroom library.
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin?
📖 Plot: Mr. Tiffin’s class explore the mystery of how many seeds are inside different-sized pumpkins. Each student makes a guess, and they embark on a messy but exciting counting adventure to find the surprising truth.
🌟 Lesson: Estimation, skip counting, and the diversity found within small and large objects. It encourages curiosity and shows that sometimes, appearances can be deceiving—small things can hold big surprises.
🎁 Perfect for: Curious young minds aged 2 to 7. This book blends math concepts with a heartwarming story about exploring and learning. It’s ideal for parents and educators looking to engage children in hands-on learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.
The Right One for Roderic
📖 Plot: Meet Roderic, a small ghost who wants to break away from tradition. In a world where all ghosts wear plain white sheets, Roderic feels different and wants to stand out. He tries everything from hats to rugs to express his uniqueness, but nothing feels right. Can he find something that truly fits his ghostly style?
🌟 Lesson: The importance of embracing individuality while respecting traditions. Through Roderic’s journey, kids learn that it’s okay to explore and express themselves creatively, even if it means trying something new. Ultimately, Roderic discovers that being true to himself doesn’t mean completely rejecting tradition—it’s about finding a balance between self-expression and respecting community norms.
🎁 Perfect for: Young readers aged 3 to 7. Ideal for sparking discussions about identity, diversity, and self-acceptance.
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie
📖 Plot: This book celebrates the loving bond between a caregiver and child. Through sweet rhymes and delightful illustrations, it captures moments of warmth and affection between the two, making it a perfect read for cuddle time.
🌟 Lesson: Love and security, emphasizing the joy of spending quality time with loved ones. It reinforces the idea that children are cherished and special, no matter the occasion or season.
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers. The book features sturdy pages and engaging elements like die-cut shapes and raised elements, perfect for little hands.
Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin
✏️ by Tad Hills
📖 Plot: Duck and Goose search high and low for the perfect pumpkin. From the apple tree to the leaf pile, they explore every nook and cranny, determined to find a big, beautiful pumpkin for themselves.
🌟 Lesson: Perseverance and teamwork. Duck and Goose demonstrate the importance of not giving up and working together to achieve their goal.
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers and young children. Whether it’s Halloween or any other time of the year, this book is great for snuggling up and enjoying a storytime filled with laughter and adventure.
Gilbert the Ghost
📖 Plot: Gilbert is a ghost who marches to the beat of his own drum at ghost school. Unlike his peers, Gilbert prefers politeness over screeching scares. When he’s sent to the Abandoned Tower as a punishment, what adventures await this special ghost?
🌟 Lesson: Embracing uniqueness and staying true to oneself. Gilbert’s journey highlights the importance of kindness and finding friendship in unexpected places.
🎁 Perfect for: Children ages 4 and up, especially those who enjoy gentle Halloween-themed stories. Ideal for bedtime reading or any time of day, sparking imagination and celebrating the joy of being different.
Eek! Halloween!
📖 Plot: In this story, the chickens are in for a spooky surprise under the big, round moon. They encounter flickering-eyed pumpkins, enormous mice, a wizard, a witch, and even a spooky robot. But what’s really happening? It’s all part of the Halloween fun!
🌟 Lesson: The story reassures young readers that Halloween may seem scary at first, but it’s all about having fun and enjoying the excitement of the holiday.
🎁 Perfect for: Toddlers and young children. With its simple yet engaging storyline, catchy rhymes, and lovable characters like the funny chickens, the book is ideal for reading aloud during the Halloween season or any time of year. It’s a great way to introduce children to Halloween themes in a lighthearted and amusing way.
The Little Kitten
📖 Plot: Ollie and her cat Pumpkin discover a tiny kitten shivering in a pile of leaves on a beautiful fall day. Ollie quickly befriends the kitten, but soon realizes it’s lost when she spots “Lost Kitten” posters in the forest. Determined to reunite her new furry friend with its family, Ollie embarks on a heartwarming adventure.
🌟 Lesson: Through Ollie’s kindness and determination to help the lost kitten, young readers learn about empathy, friendship, and the joy of helping others. The story also hints at the magic of Halloween, weaving a gentle sense of wonder and surprise into the tale.
🎁 Perfect for: Young children who love stories about friendship and animals. Having engaging storyline, interactive die-cut pages, and delightful illustrations featuring shimmering foil elements, this book captivates both children and adults alike.
The Bad Seed: The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky
✏️ by Jory John
📖 Plot: Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite time of year. But when he struggles to find the perfect costume, he decides to postpone trick-or-treating for everyone until he can get it right. Will he manage to put together a show-stopping costume in time, or will his mischievous tendencies get the better of him?
🌟 Lesson: Through the Bad Seed’s humorous antics and eventual change of heart, young readers learn about perseverance, the importance of empathy, and the possibility of personal growth. The story encourages children to consider different perspectives and how small actions can make a big difference.
🎁 Perfect for: Young readers and families looking for a fun and engaging Halloween-themed book. It blends humor with valuable life lessons.
You’re My Little Baby Boo
📖 Plot: The book celebrates the sweet bond between a parent and their little one, especially during Halloween. Filled with adorable illustrations of classic Halloween characters like ghosts and pumpkins, this interactive book features shaped cut-outs and raised elements that children will love exploring.
🌟 Lesson: The warmth and comfort of parental love. It emphasizes the joy of sharing special moments together.
🎁 Perfect for: Families looking to introduce their little ones to Halloween in a gentle and heartwarming way. The book encourages cuddling up for bedtime stories and creates a cozy atmosphere for bonding.
A Spoonful of Frogs
📖 Plot: This book follows a witch trying to make her favorite treat: frog soup. The catch? Frogs are the essential ingredient, but they keep escaping from the spoon! The witch faces hilarious challenges as she tries to keep the frogs in place, leading to a delightful and surprising solution.
🌟 Lesson: Persistence and problem-solving. It shows how even when faced with unexpected challenges, there’s always a way to find a creative solution and achieve your goals. The book encourages resilience and thinking outside the cauldron.
🎁 Perfect for: Preschoolers, early elementary school children, and young readers who enjoy stories filled with laughter and unexpected twists.
The Crayons Trick or Treat
📖 Plot: The beloved crayon characters are gearing up for Halloween. The crayons are excited to go trick-or-treating, but they’re unsure of the right words to say at each door. Purple Crayon steps in to teach them the magic words, leading to a series of hilarious encounters as they navigate their Halloween adventure.
🌟 Lesson: The importance of manners and using polite words, even in fun and spooky situations like Halloween. It emphasizes the joy of dressing up and trick-or-treating while also highlighting the value of kindness and respect.
🎁 Perfect for: Young children, ages 4 and up, who enjoy lighthearted stories and vibrant illustrations. This smaller-sized book is perfect for quick bedtime reads or for sharing giggles during Halloween preparations.
Take Us To Your Sugar
📖 Plot: It’s Halloween time at Astro Elementary, but there’s a problem—Halloween isn’t celebrated there! Bob, an avid candy lover, is devastated. Determined to bring Halloween to Astro Elementary, Bob teams up with his friend Lani to form SCARES (Society of Candy Addicts who Rely on Energy from Sugar). Their mission: save Halloween and bring candy to everyone at school.
🌟 Lesson: Creativity, teamwork, and the importance of standing up for what they believe in. It shows how friends can come together to create something special, even in the face of unexpected challenges.
🎁 Perfect for: Young readers ages 6-9, especially those who enjoy funny, imaginative stories and tales of Halloween adventures. Parents and educators will appreciate its positive messages and kid-friendly humor.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Halloween through the pages of a great book is a wonderful way to celebrate the season with kids. Each of the 16 books on our list brings its own unique charm, offers valuable lessons, and can spark interesting conversations. The bright illustrations in these stories also help develop a child’s imagination that makes reading time both fun and educational. Feel free to check out the best Сhristmas books for kids and the best children’s books of all time.
And if you’re looking to get your hands on these delightful reads, check out BookScouter.com. It’s a handy tool that compares prices and finds the best deals, so you can build your Halloween book collection without breaking the bank.
While you’re in the Halloween spirit, don’t miss our other blog posts for more fun and inspiration:
8 Awesome Ideas on How to Celebrate Halloween in College
10 Amazing Book Character Halloween Costumes for Young Adults
9 Awesome Halloween Book Decor Ideas
Best Halloween Books for Adults
17 Must-Read BookTok Books for Fall 2024
Pick a book and enjoy the spooky season with some great stories!
