I can’t believe it’s already October (mentally, of course, I’m always there). So I thought it would be fun to round up our favorite Halloween reads for kids. Nothing too scary, just good old-fashioned spooky fun. Because while some four-year-olds are fearless, some of us grown-ups still sleep with the light on.
Ages 0 to 3, Grades P And Under
Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party
Aubrey Plaza, Dan Murphy, Hannah Peck (Illustrated by)
Luna Lopez wants to be a witch. Pheenie the witch wants to throw a Halloween party. Together this unlikely pair strikes a deal in order to pull off a night full of both tricks and treats!
The national bestselling tale from award-winning actress Aubrey Plaza and writer Dan Murphy about a feisty wannabe bruja and the kooky witch she helps to throw the best Halloween party of the season—now available as a board book!
Ages 3 to 7, Grades P to 2
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost: (A Halloween Picture Book Celebrating Friendship, Courage, and Cultural Traditions – For Toddlers, Preschoolers, and 1-2 Graders)
Flavia Z. Drago, Flavia Z. Drago (Illustrated by)
This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season — or anytime.
Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z. Drago’s vivid illustrations tell a sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere.
Ages 6 to 9, Grades 1 to 4
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale (A Macabre Story About Courage and Friendship – Chapter Book for Early Readers Ages 4-9 in Grades 1-4)
Jon Klassen, Jon Klassen (Illustrated by)
Caldecott Medalist and New York Times best-selling author-illustrator Jon Klassen delivers a deliciously macabre treat for folktale fans.
Jon Klassen’s signature wry humor takes a turn for the ghostly in this thrilling retelling of a traditional Tyrolean folktale. In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both? Steeped in shadows and threaded with subtle wit—with rich, monochromatic artwork and an illuminating author’s note—The Skull is as empowering as it is mysterious and foreboding.
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
The Dark
Lemony Snicket, Jon Klassen (Illustrated by)
Laszlo is afraid of the dark.
The dark lives in the same house as Laszlo. Mostly, though, the dark stays in the basement and doesn’t come into Lazslo’s room. But one night, it does.
This is the story of how Laszlo stops being afraid of the dark.
With emotional insight and poetic economy, two award-winning talents team up to overcome a universal childhood fear.
Ages 3 to 5
Leo: A Ghost Story
Mac Barnett, Christian Robinson (Illustrated by)
Most people cannot see ghosts. Can you? Follow Leo in this heartfelt tale about a friendly ghost who, after struggling to fit in, sets off on a journey of self-discovery and friendship, capturing the magic of belonging and the unexpected joys of adventure.
You would like being friends with Leo. He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can’t even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo’s efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. Leo and Jane become friends, and that is when their adventures begin.
This charming tale of friendship—from two of the best creators in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Newbery Medal–winning Last Stop on Market Street—is destined to become a modern classic that will delight readers for years to come.
Ages 3 to 5, Grades P to K
Midnight Manor: A Backwards Bedtime Book
Sid Sharp
Goodnight Moon meets the Addams Family in this deliciously backwards bedtime story and picture book debut by Eisner nominee Sid Sharp.
When the sun goes DOWN, it’s time to get UP at Midnight Manor! The unusual residents have a busy night counting the caterpillars on the curtains and playing drums with the banshees in the basement. Before they know it, the sun is rising–which means it’s finally time to say goodnight.
Midnight Manor is brimming with quirky characters and spooky scenarios in thoroughly domestic settings, from skeletons in the closet to bats in the laundry basket. Equal parts tribute to Edward Gorey and Maurice Sendak, this timeless bedtime book in reverse will delight kids and adults alike with each luxurious page painted in Eisner-nominated artist Sid Sharp’s trademark lush style.
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Mother Boo: Poems from Spookytown
Vikki VanSickle, Jennica Lounsbury
A fun collection of spooky poems for 4-to-8-year-olds featuring Mother Boo — a friendly old ghost — and a whole town of familiar and friendly Halloween faces: skeletons, pumpkin heads, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and more. A poetry collection perfect for the Halloween fanatic in your life!
Deep in October County is a magical place called Spookytown, where the leaves are always bright, the air is always crisp and the pumpkins are always in their prime.
When it’s time for a story or a poem, the little witches, ghosts and goblins of Spookytown love to snuggle up with this collection, compiled by Mother Boo—the oldest ghost in town.
Discover the secret to flying, join a pumpkin parade and dance with werewolves in this collection of Halloween poems inspired by Mother Goose.
From silly to spine-tingling, there is something for everyone to enjoy!
Ages 4 to 8, Grades P to 3
Vampire Girl Conquers the Night
Betina González, Mariana Ruiz Johnson (Illustrated by), Antonio Gonzalez Cerna (Translated by)
Who’s afraid of the dark? Vampire Girl conquers her fears and explores the mysteries of the Night in this surreal bedtime import from Mexico.
An adorable little Vampire Girl conquers her fears and explores the mysteries of the Night in this exquisite bedtime book.
Vampire Girl dreams of conquering the Night (and, maybe most of all, to stop being so scared when she has to turn the light out). But the Night can be anywhere – in the bark of a dog, in the base of a cup – and it is full of legendary monsters, creatures, and questions and fears of the world. Vampire Girl must travel to the Deepest Darkest Depth of her soul to conquer the Night…who, full and generous, will open up for those who dare.
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
Pumpkin Apocalypse
M. D. Payne
Get pumped for Pumpkin Fest! It’s Friday Night Fright Night, and Adam’s worst fear is about to come to life…
Halloween is a big deal in Little Pine, but newcomer Adam Gibbons doesn’t get the hype. In fact, he’s actively anti-Halloween—and you would be, too, if you were deathly afraid of pumpkins! Yeah…don’t ask.
When Adam is tasked to team up with pumpkin fanatic Molly to plan Friday Night Fright Night, the middle school shut-in event before Pumpkin Fest, he’s forced to confront his greatest fear head…er…jack-o’-lantern-on.
But it soon becomes clear that there is something strange and supernatural brewing in Little Pine. Mind-controlling pumpkins are possessing people and taking over the town, and it’s up to Adam and his small group of friends to smash the infestation and save the world!
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
The Adventures of Invisible Boy: Monster Mash: A Graphic Novel
Doogie Horner, Doogie Horner (Illustrated by)
Halloween is the best time of year for the Invisible Boy! And this year, he’s excited to pretend to be a ghost and spy on some older kids, and scare them as well.
But when those kids figure out their secret, Stanley and Gene make a dangerous bargain: compete with the teens to build the scariest haunted house, or their invisibility power will be exposed.
With Stan’s imagination and Gene’s inventing skills, it should be an easy win. But after all of their animatronic monsters come to life and have Stan’s sister is in their sights, it’ll take a lot of new gadgets and wily ideas to save the day.
Fans of funny, fast-paced shenanigans will love Invisible Boy’s most action-packed adventure yet!
Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7
The Halloween Tree
Ray Bradbury, Joseph Mugnaini (Illustrated by)
Make storytime a little spookier with fantasy master Ray Bradbury as he takes readers on a riveting trip though space and time to discover the true origins of Halloween.
Join the shadowy Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud as he takes eight trick-or-treaters on an unforgettable journey to find their missing friend, Pip. Travel through space and time, from the tombs of ancient Egypt to the gargoyles of Notre-Dame Cathedral, all the way to the cemeteries of Mexico on el Día de Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. Is Pip still alive? And if so, can his friends save him from a ghastly fate before it’s too late?
