Halloween is an exciting time of year, especially for children. It’s a season filled with costumes, candy, and delightfully spooky fun. One of the best ways to immerse young minds in the spirit of Halloween is through books that strike the perfect balance between eerie and entertaining. For parents, teachers, and caregivers, finding the right Halloween books can turn storytime into a magical, thrilling adventure.
At The Kids Point, we believe that books are essential for fostering imagination, creativity, and a love for reading. That’s why we’ve put together this spooktacular list of Halloween books for kids, tailored for storytime enjoyment. These stories offer a wonderful mix of fun, fright, and life lessons, ensuring that every young reader gets to enjoy the magic of the season in their own way.
Why Halloween Books Are Perfect for Kids
Halloween books for kids are designed to create an enjoyable blend of fun and fright without being too scary. For younger children, the idea of a “scary” story is more about excitement and surprise rather than fear. The beauty of Halloween books lies in their ability to balance these elements—offering just the right amount of spookiness, wrapped in illustrations that are as enchanting as the stories themselves.
Reading Halloween books can:
- Promote literacy and a love of reading: The excitement of the Halloween season can make reading more appealing to kids.
- Encourage creativity and imagination: Halloween stories often feature fantastical creatures and magical events that inspire kids to dream up their own spooky adventures.
- Teach valuable lessons: Many Halloween books incorporate themes of bravery, friendship, and kindness, helping children learn important life lessons in a fun and accessible way.
Now, let’s dive into some of the most popular and spooktacular Halloween books for kids!
“Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson
Age group: 3-7 years
This delightful rhyming book tells the story of a kind witch and her cat who are flying on their broomstick when they meet a series of animals who ask for a ride. As the broom gets more and more crowded, disaster strikes when it snaps in two, leaving the witch in danger of being eaten by a dragon! Fortunately, her newfound friends come to the rescue, proving that teamwork and kindness save the day.
“Room on the Broom” is perfect for young readers because it combines just the right amount of excitement with heartwarming lessons about friendship and inclusivity. Julia Donaldson’s rhythmic text is engaging, and Axel Scheffler’s charming illustrations bring the magical world to life.
“The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams
Age group: 3-8 years
This Halloween classic tells the story of a brave little old lady who takes an evening walk through the forest. Along the way, she encounters various spooky items—a pair of shoes that go clomp, clomp, a shirt that goes shake, shake, and a pumpkin head that goes boo, boo. Rather than being frightened, she bravely continues on her journey until she discovers how to turn these spooky things into something useful.
With its repetitive text and interactive elements, “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” is a fantastic read-aloud book. Children love the repetitive actions and sounds, making it a highly engaging story that encourages participation. The message of facing your fears and turning challenges into opportunities is an important one for young readers.
“Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds
Age group: 4-8 years
For a spooky tale that’s more funny than frightening, “Creepy Carrots!” is a fantastic choice. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—especially the ones that grow in Crackenhopper Field. But soon, he starts to suspect that the carrots are following him! The book masterfully balances humor and a bit of suspense as Jasper tries to figure out how to stop the “creepy carrots” from haunting him.
Peter Brown’s moody illustrations perfectly complement the eerie yet hilarious plot. This book is great for kids who enjoy a good laugh but also appreciate a touch of Halloween suspense.
“Big Pumpkin” by Erica Silverman
Age group: 4-7 years
“Big Pumpkin” is a wonderfully fun and rhythmic story about a witch who grows a gigantic pumpkin for Halloween but struggles to pull it off the vine. She enlists the help of several classic Halloween characters—a ghost, a vampire, a mummy, and a bat—but no one is strong enough to move the pumpkin on their own. However, by working together, they manage to pull the pumpkin free and enjoy a tasty Halloween treat.
This book is perfect for Halloween storytime because of its catchy, repetitive text and engaging illustrations. Children will enjoy the familiar characters and the message about cooperation and teamwork.
“The Scariest Book Ever” by Bob Shea
Age group: 3-6 years
“The Scariest Book Ever” is a hilariously ironic tale about a little ghost who is too scared to read his own book! The ghost tries to convince the reader that the story is far too scary, but as it turns out, the story is much more fun than frightening. The book plays on the theme of facing fears while keeping the tone light and funny, making it ideal for young readers who might be wary of anything too spooky.
With its bold, colorful illustrations and playful narrative style, “The Scariest Book Ever” is a great choice for kids who are ready to laugh at their fears rather than be scared by them.
“Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat” by Doreen Cronin
Age group: 4-8 years
From the creators of the beloved “Click, Clack, Moo” series comes this Halloween edition, “Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat.” In this story, Farmer Brown does not like Halloween, but the animals on the farm are determined to celebrate. As the animals prepare for their spooky night of fun, Farmer Brown tries to avoid the Halloween festivities, but in the end, even he can’t resist the Halloween spirit.
With its familiar characters, clever text, and whimsical illustrations, “Click, Clack, Boo!” is a delightful addition to any Halloween reading list. It’s perfect for fans of the original “Click, Clack” books and introduces a festive, spooky twist.
“Stumpkin” by Lucy Ruth Cummins
Age group: 4-8 years
“Stumpkin” tells the sweet and slightly bittersweet story of a pumpkin who dreams of being a jack-o’-lantern but is constantly overlooked because he has no stem. As the other pumpkins in the store are chosen for Halloween decorations, Stumpkin waits for his turn, hoping that someone will see him for more than just his imperfections.
This beautifully illustrated book carries a touching message about self-acceptance and finding value in uniqueness. It’s a gentle Halloween story that’s both poignant and uplifting, making it perfect for children who may be experiencing their own feelings of self-doubt.
“Ghosts in the House!” by Kazuno Kohara
Age group: 3-6 years
“Ghosts in the House!” is a charming and not-at-all-scary story about a little girl who moves into a house filled with ghosts. Instead of being frightened, she takes charge and comes up with a clever plan to deal with the ghosts. The story’s lighthearted tone and simple text make it perfect for younger children who might be more sensitive to scary themes.
The unique orange, black, and white illustrations add a special Halloween flair to the book, creating a cozy, autumnal atmosphere that complements the story perfectly.
“The Dark” by Lemony Snicket
Age group: 5-8 years
If you’re looking for a story that introduces a touch of eeriness without being overwhelming, “The Dark” by Lemony Snicket is a great choice. The book follows a young boy named Laszlo, who is afraid of the dark, but through a surprising turn of events, he learns to overcome his fear.
Jon Klassen’s illustrations perfectly capture the mood of the story, using light and shadow to convey the suspense and eventual comfort that comes with understanding fear. This book is ideal for older preschoolers and early elementary kids who are beginning to explore themes of bravery.
“How to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace
Age group: 4-8 years
This interactive and engaging story follows a brave young boy who sets out to catch the monster hiding in his closet. As he devises his plan, he learns that the monster is not as scary as he thought, and they end up becoming friends. With fun rhyming text and lively illustrations, “How to Catch a Monster” is a great book for kids who are dealing with fears of monsters or the dark.
The playful nature of the story and the twist ending will leave kids feeling empowered rather than scared, making it a perfect addition to any Halloween storytime lineup.
At The Kids Point, we believe that Halloween is more than just costumes and candy—it’s an opportunity for children to immerse themselves in magical stories that celebrate imagination and bravery. These spooktacular Halloween books are perfect for storytime, whether you’re looking for a slightly spooky adventure or a heartwarming tale of friendship.
By reading Halloween stories, children can explore fantastical worlds, learn valuable lessons, and develop a love for reading that will last long after the pumpkins are put away. So, gather your little ones, grab a cozy blanket, and enjoy these enchanting Halloween reads together—courtesy of The Kids Point!