October has arrived, and the spooky season is upon us. Even though where I live it still feels like summer temps during the day, at night the air is cool. Leaves have begun to fall, and pumpkins are popping up on porches everywhere. Very soon, ghosts, ghouls, princesses, and pirates will infiltrate our televisions, the streets, and, my favorite, the books at the library. With four children at home, Halloween is always a very exciting time of year. How could it not be… candy and costumes, two of their favorite things.
Collecting special Halloween picture books for the kids, especially during holidays, has always been important to me. I love to display them seasonally or reread them with the kids (if they will let me!). I also work at the local library, so I am constantly sifting through old and new children’s books to put on display.
With the arrival of October, I have begun rereading Halloween books both at work and at home. With that, here is my list of ‘the best Halloween picture books to read with kids this spooky season.
Ollie’s Halloween By Olivier Dunrea
I am selfishly starting with ‘Ollie’s Halloween’ because my youngest is an Ollie, and I love collecting books with the kids’ names on them. This sweet board book is from the author of the best-selling series ‘Gossie & Friends‘. The illustrations of Ollie and his goslings are just precious. Each book follows the friends on a little adventure. In this story, the group dresses up for Halloween and goes out on the prowl. Searching corn fields and pumpkin patches, beehives and haystacks for tricks or treats.
‘Ollie’s Halloween’ is a sweet seasonal story to share with little readers. They will adore the cute characters and the simple text. Ollie and his friends participate in all the October traditions, including bobbing for apples, dressing up, and getting spooked! Of course, the friends also enjoy some Halloween treats. Little gosling Ollie in a mummy costume is one of my favorite Halloween images to share each year with my own Ollie.
10 Spooky Pumpkins By Gris Grimly
Gris Grimly is an illustrator known for his spooky-whimsical style. This Halloween picture book is an excellent demonstration of that eerie elegance. The artwork is simply fabulous, filled with scarecrows, ghosts, clowns, and the most worrisome wolves. The illustrations alone are enough to land this read on my top picture books to read this spooky season.
As for the story, 10 Spooky Pumpkins is a number-counting book that children tend to love. Counting down from ten pumpkins through to one moon, and every ghost and ghoul in between, children will love this rhyming read. This is one of those books you will want to pull out every year and read together, discovering secrets in the imagery all over again. If you are an adult who loves the stylings of Tim Burton (think Frankenweenie) you may want to flip through the illustrations in ’10 Little Pumpkins’. It’s a cute book that deserves its place among the best Halloween picture books.
Very Scary By Tony Johnston
‘Very Scary’ is a story of how the light from the moon created one glowing pumpkin in the patch. All the visitors to the patch were drawn to this shining pumpkin. The owl, the black cat, the crickets, and even the witch were drawn to the pumpkin’s moonlight color. But when the children show up and turn the pumpkin into a jack-o’-lantern, what will all the creatures think?
With sound effects and a repetitive theme, ‘Very Scary’ features simple prose that draws children in. The story illustrates the Halloween tradition of picking out a pumpkin, drawing the face on it, and carving it out to make a ‘jack-o’-lantern. A tradition many children can relate to. Will this special pumpkin be sad, happy, or scary? You’ll have to read to the end of this favorite picture book for the spooky season to find out.
Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat By Julien Chung
The original ‘Chicka Chicka Boom’ picture book is a best-seller which has since spawned several spin-offs, including ‘Chicka Chicka Tricka Treat’. The rhythmic book introduces children to the alphabet through a climbing adventure with a tropical tree. In this Hallween edition, the bright block letters dress up in costumes to race up the tree. But when a ghost meets them, the adventurous letters tumble back down the tree. Will their climb back to the top again be met this time with another trick or a yummy treat?
Parents and kids alike love Chicka Chicka books. Both the authors and illustrators who have contributed to this series have mastered the art of engaging children through pictures. I chose this picture book as one of my top reads for the spooky season because it is both educational and entertaining. Kids will love learning the alphabet as the letters each dress up for ‘Tricka’ treating.
There’s A Witch In Your Book By Tom Fletcher
‘There’s a Witch in Your Book’ is a picture book from the popular series ‘Who’s in Your Book?’. These interactive reads engage children by inviting them to participate in the story. In this version, kids can wave their magic wands, recite a spell, and clean up the witch’s slimy mess. The book even has a hole in several pages. Kids are asked, by the narrator, to stick their hands through the hole to help clean up the witch’s mess. The story is more fun and sweet than spooky, with its cartoonish drawings and cute characters. Little kids will love it.
Other titles in this series that may be fun for this time of year are ‘There’s a Monster in Your Book’, ‘There’s a Dragon in Your Book’, and ‘There’s an Alien in Your Book’. All of them have that interactive approach with bright, fun illustrations to inspire a love of reading in your little ones.
I Want To Be In A Scary Story By Sean Taylor
Little Monster wants to be in a scary story, but every time the story begins, he claims it’s TOO frightening. The narrator changes up the lead, but it’s still too scary for Little Monster. He pleads for another try to be in a frightening story, but haunted houses, witches, and ghosts are just TOO much. Perhaps, they decide together that a funny story would be a better fit for Little Monster. So, who will get the last laugh in the end… or will it be the last scare? You will have to follow Little Monster into the dark to find out.
A silly tale of a monster more scared than scary. Large, bright, and simple illustrations are perfect for little readers, making it a great picture book to share this spooky season. I like this for the child who perhaps finds Halloween too scary. The lesson from Little Monster is that we all have fears, and sometimes frightening things can be made funny.
The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! By Elaine Bickell
Little Ghost has lost her ‘boo’. When she tries to scare, all that comes out is a rush of air. Little Ghost goes on a search for her missing ‘boo’. Will it be with the owls? No, that’s a ‘hoo’. Will it be with the cows? No, that’s a ‘moo’. Will it be with the pigeons? No, that’s a ‘coo’. Little Ghost meets more animal friends, but none have taken her ‘boo’. Finally, ‘Little Ghost’ sees YOU, the reader, will you have her ‘boo’?
Another magical picture book that builds curiosity in little readers. Animal sounds throughout the book invite an interactive element, as children can repeat their best ‘moo’ and ‘cock-a-doodle-do’, to name a few. I won’t give away the ending, but little ghost will need your child’s help to find her lost’ boo’. This book is another not-so-scary, yet seasonal favorite picture book for the spooky season.
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown By Charles Schultz
Football, pumpkins, and trick or treating are front and center in this classic Charlie Brown story. Written in 1966, this storybook continues to grace library shelves, just as the cartoon special does on television. Linus is in search of the ‘great pumpkin’, which arrives every Halloween in the patch. He skips out on the Peanut gang’s traditional celebrations to wait for his beloved ‘great pumpkin’. Linus’s sister Lucy arrives in the middle of the night to retrieve her disappointed brother.
I also included this book in my list of ‘Best Fall Picture Books’, as ‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ is quintessential to Autumn all season long. Charlie Brown, for many, is synonymous with holiday specials, especially during the months of October and December. Trying to keep up this tradition with my own kids is essential, hence his secure place in our Fall and Halloween read line-up. After all, Peanuts are a pop culture classic sure to endure many more years in our hearts. This classic is certainly on many lists for the best fall picture books and deserves its place among the best Halloween picture books.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween By Alice Schertle
The Little Blue Truck series of picture books is a favorite with little ones at my library. At home, we own this spooky selection, ‘Little Blue Truck’s Halloween’. This story is a beloved ‘lift the flap’ book. Don’t all kids love to lift the flaps? Repetitive and rhyming, ‘Little Blue Truck’s Halloween’ takes us on a fun drive. The famous truck chugs along, running into different masked friends. Children get to lift the flap to see who is in costume on each page.
Beautifully illustrated by Jill McElmurry, Little Blue Truck is a picture book you will want to pull out and reread with your kids again and again. There is so much detail to her artwork, and the animals’ clever costumes are whimsical. ‘Little Blue Truck’s Halloween’ has all the components that make a book a favorite. Fun characters, rhyming text, engaging sound effects, interactive lift-the-flap pages, and of course, trucks! This title isn’t just among the best Halloween picture books, it’s also one of the most popular.
Scaredy-Cat, Splat By Rob Scotton
Beloved storybook cat, Splat, is making kids laugh again in this Halloween adventure. Poor Splat is scared of everything this season of spookiness. A big black spider he finds at home is the first to make him jump. Then he runs into two dressed-up cat friends on his way to cat school, who delight in scaring him, too. In class, his teacher turns out the lights to tell a ghost story, and Splat jumps with fright. Poor Splat was hoping to win the scariest cat in costume, but will he only win the scaredy-est cat?
Yet another infamous book series in our children’s library is Splat the Cat. Children love his silly adventures, parents love his heartwarming tails…errr tales. Splat’s big eyes and scraggly fur make him hard not to love. This endearing book is a great way to discuss feelings about being scared, especially this time of year. ‘Scaredy-cat, Splat’ is a sweet and funny read to share with your kiddos this spooky season.
Berenstain Bears Ghost Walk By Jan And Stan Berenstain
How can you not mention a Berenstain book in a favorite book list! These classic children’s books certainly capture all the special moments of childhood, and a night of trick-or-treating and Halloween fun has not been overlooked. When Papa Bear is put in charge of the Bear Country School’s Ghost Walk, he is very excited. He has everything he needs to make it a spooky night, including cobwebs, jack-o’-lanterns, and monsters. In true Papa Bear fashion, he gets so overly excited about the event that he manages to scare himself.
I haven’t met a child or parent who doesn’t enjoy a Berenstain Bears story. I read them when I was growing up, 40 years ago, and now my children read them too. Ghost Walk is jam-packed full of traditional Berenstain Bears fun, and in this selection, Halloween hijinks. If you can’t locate ‘Ghost Walk’ this spooky season, the Berenstain Bears also have ‘Trick or Treat’ and ‘The Prize Pumpkin’ for your Halloween storytime needs. The Berenstain Bears make our list of the best Halloween picture books, and with a treasure trove of titles focusing on other holidays, it’s a great series to add to your seasonal reading for many popular holidays!
Click Clack Boo: A Tricky Treat By Doreen Kronin
If you’ve read any books in the series ‘Click, Clack, Quack’, you know the kids love them for their humorous barnyard adventures. The books by Doreen Cronin are New York Times Bestsellers and also very popular at my small town library. In this story, the farmyard friends are holding a Halloween party. But poor Farmer Brown does not like Halloween. In fact, he hates it. He closes the blinds, puts on his pajamas, and climbs into bed. But out in the barn, the party had begun. Will Farmer Brown receive tricks or treats from his barnyard crew?
‘Click, Clack, Boo’ is such a fun little story. Kids will love the silly stunts of the farm animals as they once again toy with Farmer Brown’s rules. This picture book is an excellent choice for younger kids who want a Halloween story without the scares. In my favorite reads for starting kindergarten, I also chose a book from the ‘Click, Clack, Quack’ series; you can learn about ‘Click, Clack, Quack to School’ here.
Trick Or Treat Little Critter By Mercer Mayer
Classic and heartwarming Mercer Mayer books are always popular with families. Like the Berenstain Bears, I read Little Critter growing up. In this adventure, Little Critter and his family embark on a Halloween preparation day. They go shopping for candy, decorations, and costumes; nothing too scary for baby brother. This picture book takes children through all the traditional Halloween activities, from trying on costumes to a class party, from trick-or-treating to candy sorting! Kids will love reading this as they get excited for the big day.
This story is sweet and simple, told from Little Critter’s point of view. His excitement for the holiday is relatable, as he circles October 31st on the calendar to mark the start of the story. Mayer’s books remain very popular at the library among families, as their storylines are timeless. I had to include ‘Trick or Treat Little Critter’ on my list of favorite picture books for the spooky season. You can also check out ‘Little Critter’s The Fall Festival’ from my favorite Fall book list.
The Ghosts Went Floating By Kim Norman
Set to the catchy children’s tune ‘The Ants Go Marching’, ‘The Ghosts Went Floating’ is a spooky spin on the classic. If you recall, the ants went marching two by two and sang ‘Hoorah! Hoorah!’ In this seasonal version by Kim Norman, we find all our favorite spooks out and about on Halloween night. The witches, for example, “cackled two by two,” chanting “Boo-rah! Boo-rah!” and “The werewolves wandered, four by four Boo-rah! Boo-rah!” As the book continues, more and more ghosts and ghouls gather to march up the hill. Finally, they arrive at ‘YOUR STREET’, will they have brought you a trick or treat?
Because of its recognizable tune, ‘The Ghosts Went Floating’ is a perfect book to share with children this spooky season. It’s repetitive, so little readers can catch on quickly, each page ending with “..and they all marched up the hill, in the chill, by the light of the moon, moon, moon”. A new story to a classic song always helps to engage kids. Families can count together, sing together, and point out all the scary creatures with this entertaining Halloween picture book.
We’re Going On A Goon Hunt By Michael Rex
Another story set to a classic tune in this next picture book, ‘We’re Going on a Goon Hunt’. This story by Michael Rex is set to the old campfire classic ‘Going on a Bear Hunt…’. In this spooky version, the family chants, “Going on a goon hunt, going to catch a green one.” On their goon hunt, the brave characters have to pass a graveyard, a swamp, and even a dark tunnel, singing “Can’t go over it. Can’t go under it. Have to go through it.’ And with each scene spookier than the last, the family insists, ‘we’re not scared, we’re not scared’. At the end of the book, they do find a GOON, and have to race back through the path that brought them there. The family arrives safely back, hiding under the covers.
If your children like a good spook, this picture book is packed with creepy illustrations. The goon is really quite scary! And once again set to a familiar tune with repetitive lyrics, this picture book for the spooky season will draw the kids in to storytime. A great opportunity to add some actions and an interactive element while reading to your children with this book. “Can’t go over it, can’t go under it. Have to go through it!”
October is the perfect time of year to stay in and snuggle with a spooky read. I have tried to include the best Halloween picture books appropriate for all ages of children in this list. Interactive, fun, silly, sweet, and scary, with these picture books, there is something for every spookable level. I hope you find time this busy season, chalked with parties and costume changes, to slow down and pick up one of these seasonal stories. Reading with our kids inspires their love of reading and creates memories of togetherness. Happy haunting!
