31 Days Of Halloween Books For Kids

Sharing is caring!

Happy fall y’all! It’s like the most wonderful time of the year. Well, next to Christmas. Just don’t tell anyone that I said that out loud. It’s not really a secret though. I absolutely LOVE all things Halloween. The crispness in the air, pumpkin patch fun, fall decorations, black cats, watching The Great Pumpkin, caramel covered apples, pumpkin pie and some of the best Halloween books for kids to read all fall long. Truly a magical holiday season and indeed one of my very favorites!

31 Days Of Halloween Books For Kids

Did you notice that I purposefully left off haunted house scares from the list of my top fall things? Yeah. I’m not a fan. Unless of course it’s the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland or Disney World. Neither are that intense or scary though. But everything else fall is totally my jam. I’m with Anne (of Green Gables) on the whole October thing, but I’d also like to add that I’m glad to live in a world where there’s Halloween!

Now is the time to take some of your favorite Halloween stories off the bookshelf and start reading to the little monsters at your house! It’s a great way to get everyone in the mood for Halloween season and such a fun family activity. I love gifting my kids holiday themed books each year, particularly for Halloween. There are just so many great Halloween books for kids and it’s a fun family tradition that you can start today with your own family.

With this tradition you don’t even have to purchase new books in order to read Halloween themed books together as a family when kicking off the fall season! Libraries will typically have an entire section or table set up of spooky Halloween books for kids of all ages to enjoy so be sure to check your local library to see the book list there.

In addition to your own bookshelf, gifting your kids with a new book for the holiday or borrowing from your local library, you can also get festive books from a thrift store. So this does not have to be an expensive Halloween tradition at all! But I do promise that it will become one of your favorite Halloween traditions for years to come.

Don’t miss out on any of the other Halloween ideas on Seeing Dandy!

Subscribe to the Seeing Dandy newsletter

Follow Seeing Dandy on Instagram

 Follow Seeing Dandy on Facebook

Follow Seeing Dandy on Pinterest

 

Best List of Halloween Books

Thirty-one in all and perfect for getting into the Halloween spirit every day in October! Whether you are looking for scary ghost stories, a cute story or a spooky story, a Halloween themed bedtime story, spooky tales to tell during the day (because you don’t want those younger readers to have trouble falling asleep) or something that is filled with silly fun, there’s something for The only problem is deciding which book to start with!

Young readers (and old readers alike) will love these favorite Halloween books for kids!

1.)  The Spider And The Fly by Mary Howitt

This book is a little bit edgy and could honestly be a tad bit scary for the littlest readers. Although at the same time it is also done in a poetic format that young ones might not fully grasp. So it could be okay? It is indeed an old classic, but just use your judgement on what will work best for your kids. My kids find it amusing instead of scary. Suffice to say that the spider is trying to capture the fly to serve up for dinner. Ewww!

2.)  Eek! Halloween! by Sandra Boynton

This Halloween read for kids is by the author of other favorites like Barnyard Dance and Pajama Time. Sandra Boynton has done it yet again with a book that instantly becomes a hit. She definitely knowns what kids find to be enjoyable! I love the heavy, oversized board book feel. It’s also the perfect read aloud book for the preschool or kindergarten Halloween party!

3.)  Room On The Broom by Julia Donaldson

One of my kid’s favorites! They’ve always loved reading it over and over again during Halloween time. Or anytime really. Yes, they’ve requested it even when it’s not the fall season! This book is just so much fun and appealing to kids. Done in rhyme format, it’s another great read aloud that’s perfect for the young elementary Halloween parties.

4.)  Pete The Cat Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean

The story itself brings back so many fond memories of my oldest’s first year of preschool.

5.)  The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything by Linda Williams

This is a book that my kids absolutely adore. They request this book again and again. It’s one that we can read together with various voices and the kids love to chant out the words as if they were lyrics to a song. 

6.).  BabyLit Dracula by BabyLit

The BabyLit books are already so much fun and favorite board books at our house. A great way to introduce the babies and toddlers of the house to the classics, too. There are so many wonderful selections to choose from and some can even be considered Halloween themed, like the eery Dracula board book!

7.) The Berenstain Bears Trick Or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstain

There are so many different holiday ones in the collection or simply for every day. These classics have long been adored by children for many years and for good reason. I have many from my own childhood. Basically you cannot go wrong with any of the Berenstain Bears books. Each has a good message and are so endearing.

8.) The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano

All about being different and how being different is a good thing! Definitely a message for kids to learn early on. This adorable book actually inspired the animated hit with the same title. You can catch “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” on Disney Junior and Netflix.

9.) Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories by Jeff Kinney

Hilariously spooky! Kids will laugh and have fun with this book that’s filled with creepy stories. Pick a different story each night to pair with another family read.

10.) Roald Dahl’s Book of Ghost Stories by Roald Dahl

Here’s a classic that has been enjoyed by generations. The author of James and the Giant Peach and Charlie wrote this spooky book of ghost stories. Keep in mind that this book is recommended for 8+ years because it really is quite scary.

11.) Peek-A-Boo

Such a darling and fun board book. My kids have all really enjoyed this one and it shows since our copy is very well loved.

12.) No More Monsters For Me by Peggy Parish

Not at all your typical Halloween story, but I call it perfect for Halloween because of the tale of the monster living in the basement. This I Can Read book is one that I remember from my own childhood. Perfect for introducing your kids to the cherished kid’s books from the 80’s!

13.) There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat by Lucille Colandro

You know the old favorite There Was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly? Here’s a spooky Halloween spin on that classically funny tale. A hilarious book that will seriously have kids laughing out loud! Also a fun one for teachers to read aloud in the classroom.

14.) Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

You can never go wrong with a good picture book and this one is all about friends making pumpkin soup together. The artistry is very well done and kids will want to read this one over and over again all fall.

15.) Arthur’s Halloween Costume by Lillian Hoban

Here’s one that is a treasured classic from my own childhood. And it’s another 80’s I Can Read book! This particular book about finding the perfect Halloween costume is no longer in print. You’ll have to keep an eye out for it at the thrift stores or see if it’s on the shelf at your local library.

16.) Corduroy’s Trick-Or-Treat by Don Freeman

Board book or not… you can never go wrong with a story about everyone’s favorite stuffed bear, Corduroy. This Halloween theme book is perfect for families with little toddlers running around. Read together in preparation for Halloween night!

17.) You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall

Such an adorable little board book. Perfect for baby to age 2 years and makes a great Halloween gift idea.

18.) A Very Brave Witch by Alison McGhee

Such a cute book about a brave little witch. Another great read aloud of family nights, Halloween parties or for teachers to read to the class at school.

19.) It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff

From the author and illustrator (Felicia Bond) of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie comes a festive children’s book for Halloween. It’s not just about the story though. This book will get kids motivated to do their own Halloween and fall crafts!

20.) Hooray for Halloween, Curious George by H. A. Rey

This classic is more than perfect for Halloween reading fun. I absolutely adore the tales of Curious George and love to share these books with my kids. This particular book comes in a few different formats to make reading fit your own lifestyle, Kindle, hardcover or paperback!

21.) The Haunted Mansion -Disney Classic Little Golden Book by Lauren Clauss

Disney fans absolutely need this read in their Halloween collection. The book was released in 2021 in celebration of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. A creepy and fun Halloween book that takes readers through the rooms of the popular Disney attraction in story form.

22.) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition by J.K. Rowling (illustrated by Jim Kay)

The perfect book to read for Halloween time! Great for older kids or as a read aloud for the entire family (old and young) to enjoy. Our family loves Harry Potter and so many of the books fit perfectly with Halloween themes of magic and witches.

23.) Trick or Treat, Little Critter by Mercer Mayer

The stories of Little Critter are always fun, but even more so with the holiday themed books. This cute storybook comes with cards, stickers, and a poster. Such a fun book for ages 3-7, but again the entire family can always enjoy Halloween children’s books.

24.) How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead

When they should be trick-or-treating a group of friends goes after a witch on Halloween night instead. Be entertained by ghosts, goblins, and ghouls! A fun book for the entire family to enjoy together.

25.) Happy Halloween Flip-a-Flap Lift-a-Flap Board Book by Rosa Vonfeder

Such a cute little pumpkin bucket shaped book that is overflowing with “tricks” and “treats”. This adorable book is interactive and fun with festive scenes. Plus, there’s a carry-along handle that toddlers are sure to love.

26.) It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz

While there are so many Halloween books for kids to choose from, this one is indeed a family favorite! Read this book on Halloween night or all season long. Adored by many, this book has been through the generations. Relive your own childhood by sharing this treasured Halloween book with your own children.

27.) The Twelve Days of Halloween by Leann Schwandt Lehner

Think the 12 Days of Christmas but instead it’s the twelve days of spookiness leading up to Halloween! Either read it or sing the well known holiday tune with this book. Sure to become a treasured family favorite that will be enjoyed from year to year.

28.) Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell

Here’s an eerily festive and fun counting book… so it’s fit for Halloween and educational in one! And can you ever truly go wrong with a Scholastic book? These books are quality and well known for a reason.

29.) Clifford’s Halloween Norman Bridwell

This classic storybook (in terms of the Clifford character) is one that kids will enjoy since it’s about their favorite big, red dog.

30.) Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton

Another festive board book from Sandra Boynton! Here’s the thing about board books. They are not just for babies. The entire family can have fun reading Halloween board books together. Older kids in the family can even read the book to the younger kids. Fun family togetherness activity for sure.

31.) Georgie’s Halloween by Robert Bright

And last, but certainly not least… this vintage book that I absolutely adore. It’s a cherished gift that was given to me by my grandparents. This book was original in 1959 so currently is way out of print, but you can look for it online or keep an eye out for it in a thrift store.

An easy family tradition to start and one that you can do for every holiday!

Happy Halloween!

Follow Seeing Dandy on Instagram HERE and on Facebook HERE.