At our house, we read A LOT of children's books, and we want to share some of our favorites with you! In this post, we've included our favorite Halloween or monster-related board books and picture books. (*Note: We aren't big fans of scary books, so the titles listed here are G-rated!) Feel free to skim the list and see if any appeal to your family. We hope you enjoy!
Board Books
Don't Push The Button! A Halloween Treat
By: Bill Cotter
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2018)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Everyone knows that trick-or-treating is the best part of Halloween. But one house looks kind of scary...wait, why are you walking toward the creepy house?! Whatever you do, do NOT ring that doorbell!
Why We Love It
Uses reverse psychology to keep kids curious
Interactive
Fun and festive ending!
Go Away, Big Green Monster!
By: Ed Emberley
Publisher: Little, Brown and Co. (1993)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: As kids turn the die-cut pages of this vibrantly illustrated book, they'll watch the Big Green Monster grow before their very eyes. Then, when they're ready to show him who's in charge, they'll turn the remaining pages and watch him disappear!
Why We Love It
Simple yet brilliant concept
Bright, bold illustrations and die-cut pages keep kids interested
Teaches kids colors and facial body parts
Puts the reader in charge of the monster!
Hoot Howl Halloween
Written By: Becky Wilson
Illustrated By: Samantha Meredith
Publisher: Cottage Door Press (2018)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: On Halloween, the moon shines bright, and SPOOKY noises fill the night...Hoot Howl Halloween is a fun sound book with 10 scary sounds! Explore the haunted house and press the buttons to hear ghosts wailing, witches cackling, bats flapping, and bones jangling. Enter if you dare!
Why We Love It
Minimal rhyming text
Cute characters and illustrations
Fun spooky sounds
My 2-year-old son Nolan often requests this book 3+ times in a row!
Boo! A Book of Spooky Surprises
Written By: Jonathan Litton
Illustrated By: Fhiona Galloway
Publisher: Tiger Tales (2015)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: Join Pumpkin in this fun game as he tries to figure out who said BOO! Was it Night Owl, Black Cat, Little Witch, Spider, or Wizard? Concentric circles, bright artwork, finger-holes, and a cheerful rhyming story make learning come alive and add to the Halloween fun!
Why We Love It
Repetitive text that kids can pick-up quickly
Concentric circles provide interest and finger holes for kids to explore
Introduces kids to common Halloween characters in a not-so-spooky way
Pop-up Peekaboo! Pumpkin
Written By: Clare Lloyd
Illustrated By: Victoria Harvey
Publisher: DK Publishing (2016)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: An interactive pop-up book that inspires hands-on learning. Tactile elements and delightful imagery will encourage the development of motor skills and early learning. Bold, brightly colored pictures, lift-the-flap pages and entertaining rhymes. Pop up Peekaboo: Pumpkin provides slots of opportunities for parent-and-child interaction and hours of Halloween fun!
Why We Love It
Irresistible flaps and moving pieces keep kids' interest
Both of my kids love the last flap where a cat peeks out of a jack-o-lantern!
Little Blue Truck's Halloween
Written By: Alice Schertle
Illustrated By: Jill McElmurry
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2016)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party. Lift the flaps in this large, sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! Will Blue wear a costume too?
Why We Love It
Cute story and illustrations; adore the color palette and characters' costumes
Fun flaps on each page
Love the ending!
I love you, little pumpkin
By: Sandra Magsamen
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (2010)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: Can you guess who loves you, little pumpkin? A refreshed edition of this bestselling Halloween classic.
Whose smiling face is this,
so sweet and true?
It's my little pumpkin,
and I love YOU!
With brand-new updated art, this bestselling interactive novelty format with a plush pumpkin on the cover and sturdy flaps on each spread blends Sandra Magsamen's signature heartfelt messages with a Halloween holiday theme! Little ones will giggle at all the adorable costumes and squeal with delight when a surprise mirror reveals which little pumpkin is loved most of all!
Why We Love It
Cute story and illustrations
Large flaps that are perfect for babies and toddlers
Plush pumpkin on the cover and mirror on the last page
Spooky Pookie
By: Sandra Boynton
Publisher: Little Simon (2015)
Recommended Ages: 0+
Book Description: What will little Pookie decide to be for Halloween this year? Pookie tries on costumes one by one but somehow can’t find the right thing. The resolution to Pookie’s dilemma will delight toddlers and their caregivers alike.
Why We Love It
Cute rhyming text
Small board book perfect for little hands
Adorable ending!
Picture Books
Pumpkin Trouble
By: Jan Thomas
Publisher: HarperCollins (2011)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Did that pumpkin just quack?
Why We Love It
Bright bold illustrations
Funny!
Fitting ending!
How To Haunt A House
Written By: Carolyn Crimi
Illustrated By: Edward Miller
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co. (2021)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: Groana, Moana, and Shrieky are three little ghosties learning the tricks to giving a good scare. They stomp around, spook family pets, and slam toilet seats. They're all set to pass their Halloween test, until they find a family that doesn't scare easily. In fact, they LOVE everything the ghosties send their way―especially the bats and rats! What does it take to horrify a household like this one? Sometimes you have to think outside the box to find a way around a problem.
Why We Love It
Cute rhyming text and illustrations
Clever twist at the end
Encourages kids to think outside the box to solve a problem
What's Under The Bed, Ted?
Written By: Rosie Greening
Illustrated By: Stuart Lynch
Publisher: Make Believe Ideas (2018)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: A sweet, rhyming bedtime story with hidden ink surprises. Use your silicone flashlight to reveal hidden artwork and see what’s hiding under Ted’s bed on every page! This adorable story will help reassure children that the dark isn’t as scary as it seems.
Why We Love It:
Charming rhyming text
Hidden artwork on every page that becomes visible using the included flashlight
Reassures kids who are scared of the dark
Horton Hears A Boo!
Written By: Wade Bradford
Illustrated By: Tom Brannon
Publisher: Random House (2023)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description:
In the Jungle of Nool,
near the Glowbug Lagoon,
In the hush of the night,
'neath the October moon,
He was counting the stars
(there were more than a few),
When Horton the elephant
heard a strange . . .BOO!
Join Dr. Seuss's beloved character Horton the elephant and friends on a Halloween adventure as they try to overcome their fears and find the source of a spooky sound.
Why We Love It:
Classic Dr. Seuss-style rhyming text and silliness
Familiar characters
Teaches kids that facing their fears can often help overcome them
Snowmen At Halloween
Written By: Caralyn Buehner
Illustrated By: Mark Buehner
Publisher: Dial Books For Young Readers (2019)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've wondered . . . what do snowmen do when we're not watching?
After an early snowfall, a few kids build some snowmen before going trick-or-treating. And when the kids go off to bed, the snowmen have their own Halloween festival! There's candy and apple-bobbing and costume contests and all sorts of autumn activities. When the kids wake up the next morning, the snowmen are gone... but they've left a very special message behind.
Why We Love It:
Impeccable rhyming text
Beautiful illustrations
Hidden pictures on every page
Perfect ending!
Nostalgia factor for those of use who've experienced a snowy Halloween or two ☃️😊
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
Written By: J. Elizabeth Mills
Illustrated By: Ben Mantle
Publisher: Cartwheel Books (2010)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: It's Halloween night! Celebrate and sing along with this bestselling, spooky twist on the classic Wheels on the Bus song!
One spooky bus goes RATTLE and SHAKE,
RATTLE and SHAKE,
RATTLE and SHAKE.
One spooky bus goes RATTLE and SHAKE,
All through the town.
Count from One Spooky Bus up to Ten Goofy Ghosts as this Halloween ride races through town picking up a few unsuspecting passengers along the way! Eye-catching art and a bouncy, countdown rhyme is sure to make this a read-aloud favorite!
Why We Love It:
Can be read or sung (if you're brave)!
Familiar song is a favorite at our house!
Love the illustrations!
Pete the Cat Trick or Pete
By: James Dean
Publisher: Harper Festival (2017)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discovers what is waiting behind each door.
Lift the flaps to reveal fun spooky surprises.
Why We Love It:
Flaps add spooky suspense- but not too spooky! 😉
Familiar characters
Reassuring read for young trick-or-treaters!
Halloween Hustle
Written By: Charlotte Gunnufson
Illustrated By: Kevan J. Atteberry
Publisher: Two Lions (2013)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
In the dark, a funky beat.
Something white with bony feet.
Skeleton dancing up the street,
Doing the Halloween Hustle.
Skeleton is dancing his way to a Halloween party―but as he grooves across town, he keeps stumbling, tumbling, and falling apart! Can Skeleton stay in one piece long enough to make it to the party?
Why We Love It:
Great upbeat rhythm and rhyme
Charming, kid-friendly illustrations
Cute ending!
Ten Little Pumpkins
Written By: Rosie Greening
Illustrated By: Lara Ede
Publisher: Make Believe Ideas (2018)
Recommended Ages: 1+
Book Description: With rhymes on each page to be completed by the reader counting the pumpkins, this book offers educational and fun reading for parents and children to enjoy together.
Why We Love It:
Familiar storyline with a fall twist
Uses rhymes to teach children to count backward from 10
Includes a practice page at the end showing the numbers 1-10 in order
Interactive cover: brush the shiny pumpkin to change its smile to a BOO!
Sesame Street Happy Halloween!
Written By: Lillian Jaine
Illustrated By: Ernie Kwiat
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2014)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: It's Halloween night, and Count von Count is dozing off in front of his fireplace. Suddenly, he hears someone knocking at his castle door, but when he goes to open the door, nobody's there! Is something spooky going on? A monster, a pumpkin, a ghost, and a cat. Pirates, a robot, a witch in a hat! Based loosely on a beloved Edgar Allen Poe classic, kids never know who will show up next or say "BOO!" in this festive Elmo book!
Why We Love It:
Familiar characters introduce young kids to Halloween
Adorable illustrations; each Sesame Street character dresses up in a different (and very appropriate) Halloween costume
At the end, the characters invite the reader to join them at a Halloween party!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Written By: Linda Williams
Illustrated By: Megan Lloyd
Publisher: HarperCollins (1986)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.
Why We Love It:
Interactive story; easy actions that kids can do as they follow along
Perfect book for read-aloud story times
Great ending!
Pick a Pumpkin
Written By: Patricia Toht
Illustrated By: Jarvis
Publisher: Candlewick Press (2019)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description:
Pick a pumpkin from the patch-
Tall and lean or short and fat.
Vivid orange, ghostly white,
or speckled green might be just right.
Readers will be happy to follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern.
Why We Love It:
Beautiful rhythmic text
Gorgeous illustrations
A book that we look forward to reading every Halloween!
Over in the Hollow
Written By: Rebecca Dickinson
Illustrated By: Stephan Britt
Publisher: Chronicle Books (2009)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description:
Over in the hollow,
where the cobwebs are spun,
Live a giant mother spider
and her little spidey one.
Who else lives over in the hollow? A papa mummy and his little mummies two, a mama owl and her little owlets three...and more! And they all have something to say, whether it's to hoot, to howl, to hiss, or to yowl. Inspired by Olive A. Wadsworth's classic counting rhyme, "Over in the Meadow," Over in the Hollow is a spooky take on the popular Appalachian poem. A wonderful read-aloud, the playful rhyme and repetition will delight readers of all ages who enjoy a fun (not scary) approach to the world of ghosts, werewolves, and the like.
Why We Love It:
Repetitive rhyming format that makes it memorable for kids
Crisp, colorful illustrations
Teaches kids numbers 1-13
I've read many books based on "Over in the Meadow," and this one is especially well-done!
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Written By: Joe Troiano
Illustrated By: Susan Banta
Publisher: Holiday Hill Enterprises (2001)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: One day in the pumpkin patch the strangest little pumpkin hatched.... Spookley the Square Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day! "The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin" is a perennial fall-favorite children's book that is the inspiration for the animated hit, "Spookley the Square Pumpkin," that airs on Disney Junior and Netflix. It delivers a special message of tolerance and kindness in a fun, accessible format for early learners.
Why We Love It:
Great message about how being different can be a good thing!
Room on the Broom
Written By: Julia Donaldson
Illustrated By: Axel Scheffler
Publisher: Puffin Books (2001)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
Why We Love It:
Impeccable rhyming text
Eye-catching illustrations
Great ending!
Where Do Diggers Trick-or-Treat?
Written By: Brianna Caplan Sayres
Illustrated By: Christian Slade
Publisher: Dragonfly Books (2021)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description: Candy, costumes, and jack-o-lanterns meet diggers, tractors, flat bed trucks, and--of course, monster trucks!--in this rhyming book about Halloween night. Where do road rollers trick or treat after helping make roads wider? Where do cranes trick or treat after hoisting things up high? Children who can't get enough of trucks will love this companion to the bestselling Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night and its holiday sequel, Where Do Diggers Celebrate Christmas!
Why We Love It:
Fun rhyming text that ties each vehicle to an appropriate Halloween task
Eye-catching illustrations
Great for vehicle lovers!
Dino-Halloween
Written By: Lisa Wheeler
Illustrated By: Barry Gott
Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (2019)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description:
Come October, nights are longer.
Moon looms bigger, winds blow stronger. Air is crisper, leaves are falling...
Dino-Halloween is calling!
Trick or treat! Join your favorite dinosaurs as they visit a haunted house, carve pumpkins, make costumes, do the monster mash, and more! Lisa Wheeler and Barry Gott, creators of the enormously popular Dino-Sports series, come together again to show how these fun-loving dinos celebrate Halloween.
Why We Love It:
We LOVE dinos! 😊
Fun rhyming text that touches on many favorite Halloween traditions
Cute ending!
Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party
By: Erin Barker
Publisher: Blue Manatee Press (2019)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
There’s a party at Mr. Pumpkin’s tonight.
A banquet with friends in the autumn twilight.
And at this soiree we’ll see and we’ll find ghoulish delights of every kind.
You are cordially invited to Mr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party—a delightfully quirky twist on a counting book, incorporating gorgeous, deep-hued watercolor illustrations, as well as spooky elements and unique characters at an unexpectedly charming tea party. A perfect read for when there is a crisp chill in the air.
Why We Love It:
Quirky but cute characters and story
Fancy-spooky vibe from illustrations; very unique
Teaches kids numbers 1-13
The Boo Crew Needs You!
Written By: Vicky Fang
Illustrated By: Saoirse Lou
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (2023)
Recommended Ages: 2+
Book Description:
Trouble's come to Monster Town,
and emergencies abound!
There's no time to wait around...
get the Boo Crew!
Get ready for a spooky interactive story experience with Luna, Bones, and Fang―a ghost, skeleton, and vampire team who need YOUR help fixing all the messes and frights of a Halloween night gone wrong! Whether it's tapping the page to mend a broken pumpkin or turning the book to set a toppling haunted house back upright, the action prompts let kids join in on the fun and save the day.
Why We Love It:
Fun rhyming text with a punchy refrain
Adorable illustrations
Interactive; makes the reader feel like they are part of the boo crew!
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow
By: Ryan T. Higgins
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2023)
Recommended Ages: 4+
Book Description: Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn’t like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decides the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a scary story.
But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?
Why We Love It:
Funny take on a familiar story (although the humor may need to be explained to kids)
Great comedic timing and expressions throughout
Eye-catching illustrations tell much of the story
Best if the readers are familiar with Bruce's character and the story this book is based on (The Legend of Sleepy Hollow)
Fright School
Written By: Janet Lawler
Illustrated By: Chiara Galleti
Publisher: Albert Whitman & Co. (2018)
Recommended Ages: 3+
Book Description: School's in session for little monsters learning the fine art of fright! On darkened autumn nights, unusual students head to school―Fright School! In this hilarious story, little monsters learn the art of scaring trick-or-treaters. Follow zombies, ghouls, ghosts and many more creepy creatures as they study the most spooktacular ways to terrify their guests. Will they be able to perfect their frightening ways before Halloween? You be the judge!
Why We Love It:
Adorable illustrations!
Love how this book marries Halloween creatures with kids' common school experiences
Great ending!
We sincerely hope that you enjoy these books as much as we have! To receive monthly book recommendations, sign-up for my newsletter at the bottom of this page. Otherwise, if you have any Halloween or monster-related book recommendations for us, please type them in the comments below. We are ALWAYS looking for fun new books to read! 😊
Happy Halloween reading from our family to yours!
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