13 Adorable Halloween Books for Kids of All Ages

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There’s something about Halloween that sparks all the anticipation. Whether it’s the autumnal colors, plump pumpkins, or tales of witches’ brews and ghostly hauntings, this holiday is a favorite! It’s the one time of year that kids can reinvent themselves, dress up and become someone else, if only for one night. 

As a former teacher, books are my love language, so I don’t take book recommendations lightly! We’ve handpicked 13 of the best Halloween books for you to kick off this spooky season.

A Halloween alphabet book to boot! Pictures are laden with detail, festive colors, and plump pumpkins. This Halloween A-Z for your pre-reader is engaging, without being too scary.

Get the book: B is for Boo, A Halloween Alphabet

Beep! Beep! Your favorite friendly little truck is back, and this time he’s carpooling with his crew to the costume party. Lift the flap pages reveal each animal’s subsequent Halloween costume.

Get the book: Little Blue Truck’s Halloween

Oscar the dachshund is excited for Halloween until his mum unexpectedly picks out his costume: a hot dog. While his friends are all sporting scary costumes, Oscar finds himself the butt of many jokes. However, in a twist of fate, is is Oscar’s costume that saves the day! Written by the hilarious, Dav Pilkey, “Halloweiner” is an earnest tale of friendship and figuring it all out, even when nothing goes according to plan.

Get the book: The Halloweiner

A witch and her pet cat are flying along when an unruly wind knocks off her hat, bow, and wand. Thankfully, three animals return the lost items and each asks, “Is there room on the broom for me?” In a gesture of kindness, the witch obliges, but the broom may not be able to hold everyone.This book is a fan favorite about helpfulness, kindness, and working together.

Get the book: Room on the Broom

Don’t you love a book that favors the underdog pumpkin? And Stumpkin is just that. He’s robust and orange,, but is missing the quintessential pumpkin characteristic, a stem. As such, Stumpkin is passed over time and time again as Halloween draws nearer. Will he find a home in time for Halloween? 

Get the book: Stumpkin

Gustavo is good at doing the usual ghostly activities; glowing in the dark, walking through walls, and making objects fly. But when it comes to interacting with his peers, he’s rather introverted, and would prefer staying home alone to play his violin. With the Day of the Dead on the horizon, Gustavo pushes himself to be brave and try new things.

Get the book: “Gustavo the Shy Ghost

We’ve been told to fear the monsters under the bed, but it turns out that these curious creatures, eccentric as they may be, are potential friends and bedtime companions. This little book offers a clever reframing of monsters as protectors instead of creatures to be feared.  

Get the book: I Need My Monster

Rebecca Estelle is a bit of a curmudgeon about pumpkins — she despises them! However, when a deluge of pumpkins tumbles upon her doorstep, she is forced to face them head on. She ends up surprising herself in the process as she learns the power of gathering and community.

Get the book: Too Many Pumpkins

A Caldecott Honor recipient, this book describes Jasper Rabbit, a bunny who has a bad habit of stealing the fattest, crispiest carrots from Crackenhopper Field until one day, the carrots decide they’ve had enough, and start following him home. We have to wonder if Jasper Rabbit is really seeing carrots everywhere. Imaginative and suspenseful without being too scary, this picture book is a fantastic choice to kick off the spooky season.

Get the book: Creepy Carrots

Imagine all the things a witch would indulge in at the spa after a busy and chaotic Halloween season; from pumpkin gut cold masks to bat whisker tea. With oodles of rhyming text, this book reads in a pleasant cadence. Be prepared to immerse yourself in the complete witch spa experience! Imaginative and fun! 

Get the book: Boo-La-La Witch Spa

Winifred Schnitzel finds herself kept awake night after night by loud, pesky monsters who just want to play. Can she find a way to soothe them so she can sleep? Rhyming text and bold, bright illustrations make this a fun Halloween favorite. 

Get the book: Monster Trouble

Olive and Beatrix are twins. Olive is a science buff and Beatrix is a witch; together they make a dynamic duo! After Beatrix ruins Olive’s science project, Olive plays a prank on her sister, rigging a bucket of spiders up over her bedroom door. But an unexpected snafu occurs when the spiders crawl into one of Bea’s magic potions. In a flash, a gaggle of giant spiders are on the loose!

Get the book: The Not-So Itty-Bitty Spiders

Bunnicula is a mysterious white rabbit the Monroes find at the theatre during the new Dracula movie. Once home, Bunnicula becomes the object of interest for the two family pets; Chester, a curmudgeonly cat and Harold, a loveable, albeit dopey dog. Night after night, strange things start happening. There’s something about Bunnicula that’s a bit … off. The black V on his forehead, his pointy teeth — he may be a vampire bunny! Hilarious and fun with a bit of mystery thrown in, this chapter book is a classic read aloud (even better by moonlight).

Get the book: Bunnicula