Halloween spirit is at an all-time high at our house! Our decorations are up, we’ve visited a pumpkin patch, our Halloween playlist is playing and my little guy is three now so he has never understood Halloween this well and never been more excited for it! One way we love to celebrate holidays and special occasions is through books. Here is a list of ten Halloween books that we enjoy. It includes a few board books for your tiny pumpkins and some picture books for your older, but still little Trick-or-Treaters. In this list you will find books that are mainly fun and celebratory. Definitely nothing too scary. 😉
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Picture Books
“The Ghosts go Haunting” by Helen Ketteman and Adam Record. This one is so adorable! The text is done to the tune of “The Ants go Marching One By One” so it is book that can even be sung and used as a Hallween song if desired. It is about a bunch of halloween spooks such as black cats, ghosts and bats haunting a school. It is especially cute because the faculty are the ones who are “spooked” while the children are enjoying the festivities. In the end adults and children alike join in a party with their new Halloween friends.
“Happy Halloween Little Critter” by Mercer Mayer. We are BIG Little Critter fans over here so this book could not be passed up. It is a lift-the-flap book that helps children to understand that underneath costumes that may seem scary are friends and there is nothing to be afraid of. This is an especially perfect book for reluctant trick-or-treaters or first-timers and is definitely a favorite over here! Following true Little Critter form it is also light on the text.
“Skeleton For Dinner” by Margery Cuyler and Will Terry. Little Witch and Big Witch have just made wonderful dinner in their cauldron and would like to invite their friends. However, when Skeleton, Ghost and Ghoul all see their names on a list titled “For Dinner” they misunderstand and think the witches want to eat them for dinner. It all gets sorted out in the end to the readers delight and is one that is sure to make little trick-or-treaters giggle.
“Trick Arrr Treat” by Leslie Kimmelman and Jorge Monlongo. This one is about trick-or-treaters and makes a fun read aloud with all of the pirate jargon. It is about a group of kids dressed as pirates who are not just out trick-or-treating, but are brave buccaneers out to collect their pirate booty (candy). It is full of fun as it shows what the friends are imagining as they go throughout the night as well as what is actually happening. These little seafarers know how to party!
“The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything” by Linda D. Williams and Megan Lloyd. This one is a classic and no Halloween picture book list is complete without it in my opinion! It is about a little old lady who takes a walk in the woods and soon finds that she is not alone. Along clomps a pair of boots followed by walking pants and other surprises. This one has a tiny bit of a “spook” factor but is harmless and fun.
“Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffer. This is one that is also a bit older, but well loved. It is about a witch on a broom who “collects” new friends along her flight that want to ride on the broom with her. However, it soon becomes apparent that she may be running out of room on her broom. Then their troubles increase when they run across a hungry dragon! The conclusion to this book is sweet and the illustrations are bright and kid-friendly. It is one that your kids will want read again and again.
Board Books
“Little Blue Truck’s Halloween” by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmwvy. This book is also a lift-the-flap book where you can peek at Little Blue’s friends who are underneath their costumes. Like the Little Critter book in this list it is perfect for reluctant trick-or-treaters. Plus, its Little Blue! How can you go wrong! The book ends in a Halloween party with Little Blue and all his farmyard friends and the illustrations are absolutely adorable. Its a new one out this year.
“I Love You Little Pumpkin” by Sandra Magsamen. This is a cute padded board book that is perfect for babies or small toddlers. There are flaps for little hands to lift, lots of cute illustrated costumed children, and a mirror at the very end to reveal who is loved the most. My kiddos are in love with the bright illustrations and the mirror at the end. You can never go wrong with a mirror and babies, am I right?!
“Where’s Baby’s Pumpkin” by Karen Katz. This is another one perfect for babies and small toddlers. You get to help a little baby search for her sparkly pumpkin behind flaps that you lift up to reveal Halloween surprise after Halloween surprise. It is sure to delight even the youngest of readers!
“Little Boo” by Stephen Wunderli and Tim Zeltner. Little Boo is a pumpkin seed who’s greatest wish is to be spooky. However, try as he might no one finds him scary. The wind advises him to be patient and comfortingly tells him that his time will come. The seasons pass and Little Boo grows into a beautiful pumpkin and to his delight is transformed into a spooky Jack-o-Lantern. Little readers will delight alongside Little Boo as he finally gets to live out his dream and participate in Halloween fun.
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