Best Halloween Books for children of all ages
Our list of the best Halloween books mixes the right combination of fun and spooky. Halloween is full of adventure and just the right amount of fright. From ghosts to witches, there are many characters to discover. Carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, trick-or-treating, and visiting haunted houses send children on adventures. Now, you can prepare for the Halloween excitement with a variety of Halloween books. These books allow for hands on interaction, chiming in with rhymes, and getting just a little frightened. Here are 15 Reading Boots favorite Halloween books for readers of all ages.
Halloween Books Ages 0-3
Biscuit’s Pet and Play Halloween
Biscuit’s Pet and Play Halloween, by Alyssa Satin Capucilli. Turn Halloween into touch and feel fun. Biscuit discovers the fun of trick-or-treating, costumes, and pranks. Young readers will enjoy the bright pictures and fun textures of Halloween.
Boo! (My Little World)
Boo! (My Little World), by Jonathan Litton. The pumpkin and his friends try to figure out who said boo in this cute board book. With repetitive phrases and colorful, child-like images, your little one will love chiming in with this board book.
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book, by Stephen Savage. Have fun counting with this catchy, rhythmic book. When you go through each verse, a pumpkin is lost. Young children will catch onto the pattern of backward counting and will enjoy the simple, yet striking artwork.
Check out this quick tip on books with numbers!
Goodnight Goon
Goodnight Goon, by Michael Rex. Although this Halloween twist on Goodnight Moon showcases your favorite spooky character, it is not too scary for young readers. Using the same rhythm as the classic, this Halloween book is sure to become a seasonal bedtime favorite.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween, by Alice Schertle. Our favorite truck is back for a Halloween adventure. Now, his friends are going trick-or-treating. Can you guess who is in each costume? The fun rhymes and lift-the-flap adventures will keep your child engaged.
Halloween Books Ages 3-6
The Ugly Pumpkin
The Ugly Pumpkin, by Dave Horowitz. A pumpkin has been waiting all season to get picked, but he keeps getting tricked. No one wants a pumpkin like him. Through this rhyming book, children will discover a surprise ending and will learn that being different is okay.
Ghost in the House
Ghost in the House, by Ammi-Joan Paquette. As a ghost glides through a house, he hears other sounds and meets other Halloween characters. Just wait for the surprise ending. This rhythmic, repetitive book will have your child chiming in and giggling along with the story. Also, some versions include lift-the-flaps making the story fun and interactive.
Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson. A witch and her cat are out flying for the night. When the wind blows away her things, friends help the witch in exchange for a ride. With catchy, easy-to-follow rhythm and rhymes, young readers will enjoy this fun book.
Halloween Hustle
Halloween Hustle, by Charlotte Gunnufson. Through fun, rhythmic text, you can dance along with a skeleton in this original, funky book. But, what happens when he stumbles and starts to fall apart? Bright Halloween images, simple rhymes, and a silly skeleton will keep your child engaged.
Scary, Scary Halloween
Scary, Scary Halloween, by Eve Bunting. Spooky green eyes, skeletons, and ghosts join a host of Halloween creatures of the night. Along with Jan Brett’s illustrations, the rhythm, rhyme, and fright make this a great Halloween book for young readers.
At the Old Haunted House
At the Old Haunted House, by Helen Ketteman. Prepare for a Halloween fright with the various creatures who live in and around the old haunted house. Rhyming, counting, and discovering spooky creatures keep readers of all ages engaged in this fun Halloween book.
Halloween Books Ages 6-8
Creepy Carrots
Creepy Carrots, by Aaron Reynolds. Who knew carrots had a scary side? Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, especially those from Crackenhopper Field. But, what happens when the carrots start following him? The black, white, and orange illustrations are humorous, yet descriptive. Children will enjoy this cute, fun book.
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, by Joe Troiano. When a strange pumpkin appears, the other pumpkins make fun of him for being square. However, when Spookley saves the day, they realize that being different is okay. With a nice rhyming pattern and short paragraphs, young readers will enjoy this unique pumpkin’s tale.
Miss Smith and the Haunted Library
Miss Smith and the Haunted Library, by Michael Garland. Our favorite teacher, Miss Smith, is back with her magical book. In fact, this time her students visit the creepy library where they encounter a monster bash. The colorful, creative pictures will encourage children to use their imaginations as they follow along with this delightful story.
The Scariest Book Ever
The Scariest Book Ever, by Bob Shea. Ghosts are supposed to be scary, but this ghost narrator is afraid of everything. Since the adventures may be too scary for him, you may have to turn the pages and read alone. With simple text and pictures, this book is great for independent readers or those who enjoy a fun read-aloud.
Step into the thrilling adventures with our favorite Halloween books.
Get your Reading Boots on and enjoy the journey!
