Reading Halloween picture books is a fun way to relax, connect with your kids, and celebrate the holiday. Here are 19 Halloween books for kids to add to your reading list this October.
Yesterday I shared my favorite Halloween books for toddlers, and today I want to share the best Halloween picture books for kids of all ages.
Halloween books are some of my very favorites! I love the spooky element (but also that with picture books, it’s not TOO spooky). Halloween books are fun and whimsical and creative and they make me so happy! I just love Halloween!
I scoured the Halloween bookshelves and read as many books as I could. Then I narrowed them down to only my very favorites ones, so you mamas could have a resource filled with only the best Halloween picture books!
These 21 Halloween picture books are the best of the best!
1. How to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan & Illustrated by Lee Wildish
This cute tale is full of tips on how to find a ghost, scare a ghost, play with a ghost, and more. Such a cute story idea!
2. The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing & Illustrated by Cynthia Fisher
Told in the same vein as “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”, this book follows a group of monsters throwing a party, and the trick-or-treaters who get scared off by them. Turns out the monsters really just wanted the kids to come to their party! This one is cute and fun to read aloud.
3. It’s Halloween, Chloe Zoe! by Jane Smith
I love that this book gives an introduction to Halloween traditions in fun story form. Plus, it addresses being scared and shares that Halloween is all just pretend. This is a great read if you have little ones who are worried about trick-or-treating and all the scary costumes and decorations out and about!
4. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman & Illustrated by S.D. Schindler
A witch stumbles upon a big pumpkin, but she can’t pull it from the vine. Monster after monster stops to help her, to no avail. Then, they realize they can work together to free the pumpkin! I loved this cute story about working together!
5. Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
This clever parody of Goodnight Moon was a super fun read! This silly rhyming tale will appeal to all kids and is one of my favorites to read aloud!
6. Laugh-out-Loud Halloween Jokes: Lift-the-Flap by Rob Elliott
The jokes in this book are super corny, but that’s why kids love them! Plus, the illustrations are tons of fun and little ones will love the lift-the-flap addition!
7. By the Light of the Halloween Moon by Caroline Stutson & Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
At first, I thought this book was only okay. Then I got to the last two pages and couldn’t stop laughing. I loved it! My kids loved the humor at the end and the repetition throughout.
8. Dino-Halloween by Lisa Wheeler & Illustrated by Barry Gott
Kids who love dinosaurs will adore this book! This cute book follows a group of dinosaurs as they participate in various Halloween activities. I had so much fun reading this one aloud!
9. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Illustrated by Axel Scheffler
This cute story teaches all about helping and sharing and making new friends. Plus, BONUS: there’s a movie version on Amazon Prime or Netflix that your kids can watch afterward.
10. Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell
Ten ghosts live together in a haunted house, but one by one, they get scared away by a witch until she takes over their house. But maybe, just maybe, they can get it back. This story was super cute!
11. At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman & Illustrated by Nate Wragg
This book models the song “Over in the Meadow.” I love reading books based off of that song, and this one was one of my very faves of all time!
12. The Very Fairy Princess: A Spooky, Sparkly Halloween by Julie Andrews & Emma Walton Hamilton & Illustrated by Christine Davenier
Gerry finally settles on the perfect Halloween costume. Then, while at school, her friend’s costume gets ruined. Can Gerry come up with a solution for her friend before the costume parade? This cute story is all about creativity, sharing, and being a true friend.
13. My Monster Mama Loves Me So by Laura Leuck & Illustrated by Mark Buehner
This book has the typical cute rhyming list of why kids love their moms, but told from the perspective of a little monster. Kids will get a kick out of the silly things monsters love and do, but they’ll still feel connected to the slight familiarity of the situations. I always love mother-child stories and this was no exception!
14. Halloween Night by Marjorie Dennis Murray & Illustrated by Brandon Dorman
This one is super similar to ‘The Night Before Halloween, but it’s a little more scary. It’s not too scary for kids, but it’s a less whimsical approach. I loved how they depicted the monsters getting ready for a party! It was a cute take on things!
15. Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson & Illustrated by Kevan J. Atteberry
Skeleton dances the Halloween Hustle all around town, getting various monsters to join in with him along the way. But he keeps getting knocked down and falling apart! Can Skeleton figure out how to keep it together? This story is super cute and kids will love the repetition throughout!
16. The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea
I LOVE Bob Shea! His books are some of my very favorites! So I was pretty excited to dive into this one. Kids will have so much fun with this book! It’s interactive, where the narrator (a ghost) asks the readers (kids) to peek ahead and answer his questions. The illustrations in this are a lot of fun and kids will love reassuring the ghost!
17. Turkey Trick or Treat by Wendi Silvano & Illustrated by Lee Harper
Turkey wants nothing more than to go trick-or-treating, but every time he tries a new costume, he gets turned away. Treats aren’t for turkeys! Then he comes up with the perfect solution. But will it work? I thought this story was so cute and clever!
18. Fright Club by Ethan Long
A cute little bunny tries to join the monster’s fright club, but he gets turned away for being too cute. But as it turns out, maybe there’s more to woodland creatures than the monsters originally thought. I loved the illustrations and creative storyline in this book!
19. No Such Thing by Ella Bailey
I’m sort of obsessed with the style of illustrations in this book! SO CUTE! Georgia notices things being moved around, going missing, and breaking in her house. It can’t be ghosts, right? Because those aren’t real. Or are they? Note: This book does illustrate that, at least in this story, ghosts are real (in a playful way). So if this might be bothersome for your kids, you might want to skip it. Or just chat about it afterward.
20. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams & Illustrated by Megan Lloyd
This book is a classic. My son has loved this book for a couple years and we introduced it to my daughter this year. She loved it too! The rhythm and repetition in this book make it extra fun, and you and your kids will love the ending.
21. Druscilla’s Halloween by Sally M. Walker & Illustrated by Lee White
Druscilla’s knees are old and loud, so how will she ever sneak around and cast spells? After several failed attempts, she finally finds the perfect solution: riding around on a broom! Druscilla’s story is absolutely adorable and shares why witches now fly on brooms. This is a MUST-READ!
Halloween Picture Books
So grab a few books, snuggle up, and read these Halloween tales with your kids! It’s the perfect way to relax, connect, and celebrate the holiday!
I love adding new holiday books to our collection, and these Halloween picture books are all going our wish list (if we don’t own them already).
What’s your favorite Halloween book?
If you liked this post, check out the rest of my Holiday Book Roundup series!
Britney is a wife and mom with a passion for helping other women see the good inside of them. She loves podcasts, polka dots, and dancing around the kitchen with her family.