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    The Children's Book Review

    12 Kids’ Books for Halloween and Beyond

    Bianca SchulzeBy Bianca Schulze6 Mins Read Ages 0-3 Ages 4-8 Ages 9-12 Best Kids Stories Book Lists Halloween Books
    Halloween Books
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    The Children’s Book Review

    It’s time for the spectacular spooky season of Halloween! All of the fun that comes from dressing up and trying on new personas can be downright liberating for kids (and adults) of all ages. Those of us that get a kick out of adrenaline-inducing ‘boos’ will happily seek out the mysterious elements of the season, while others will come face-to-face with some fears. For both reasons, Halloween is a great time to read books that empower kids to embrace the silly and spooky.

    Excellent for reading in October and beyond, the books on this list span all ages and range from fun to freaky. You’ll find stories about monsters, pumpkins, skeletons, pirates, witches, ghosts, and more for toddlers through teens and everyone in between.

    Buy the BookMonsters Come Out Tonight!

    Written by Frederick Glasser

    Illustrated by Edward Miller

    With lift-the-flap doors that open up to reveal a cast of entertaining and spookalicious characters, this board book is a definite charmer for the little ones. It’s a great introduction to all of the typical Halloween suspects, such as a witch, mummy, skeleton, and vampire.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 3-5 | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams | ISBN-13: 978-1419737220

    Book If You${2}re Scary and You Know ItIf You’re Scary and You Know It!

    Written by Carole Gerber

    Illustrated by Noel Ill

    If you’re like us and you love a bit of a sing-song storytime, you’ll enjoy this silly and spooky and fun take on the preschool classic “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Familius | ISBN-13: 978-1641701464

    Book Mr Pumpkins Tea PartyMr. Pumpkin’s Tea Party

    Written and Illustrated by Erin Barker

    Mr. Pumpkin is hosting a tea party for all of his friends. If you like a little bit of pumpkin spice and all things nice, this is the book for you. It’s an inspirational, celebrational fall delight filled with fantastic friends, ghoulish delights, and spooky charm.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 3-5 | Publisher: blue manatee press | ISBN-13: 978-1936669776

    Book Happy Halloween PiratesHappy Halloween, Pirates!: Lift-the-Flap Book

    Written by W. Harry Kirn

    Illustrated by Inna Chernyak

    When pirates dress up for Halloween, you know you’re in for a treat. Happy Halloween, Pirates! is a sweet and sturdy book made for little hands that will enjoy lifting the engaging flaps and discovering hidden treasures.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Clever Publishing | ISBN-13: 978-1948418881

    Buy the BookPick a Pumpkin

    Written by Patricia Toht

    Illustrated by Jarvis

    If visiting the pumpkin patch and picking just the right pumpkin is an annual tradition for your family, then this is the perfect read-aloud picture book for you.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 3-7 | Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 978-1536207644

    Buy the BookSkulls

    Written by Blair Thornburgh

    Illustrated by Scott Campbell

    If skeletons seem scary to your little one, Skulls will have readers in awe and appreciation of this critical bone. They’ll possibly even be surprised to discover that they, too, have a skull inside. It is a clever little book for young thinkers!

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 4-8 | Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 978-1534414006

    Buy the BookBeneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories

    Written by Max Brallier

    Illustrated by Letizia Rubegni

    Got a beginner reader that loves a little spinetingling storytelling? With its easy-to-read text and colorful illustrations, this early reader book from New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier will be right up their (dark and stormy) alley.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 5-7 | Publisher: Scholastic Inc. | ISBN-13: 978-1338318531

    Buy the BookOwl Diaries: Trip to the Pumpkin Farm

    Written and Illustrated by Rebecca Elliott

    Newly independent readers will happily go on Eva the owl’s class field trip to the pumpkin farm. Things get pretty exciting when an award-winning pumpkin goes missing.

    We’re big fans of the Owl Diaries chapter book series—these books help to build confidence and keep readers turning pages!

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 5-7 | Publisher: Branches | ISBN-13: 978-1338298642

    Buy the BookGhoulia and the Mysterious Visitor

    Written and Illustrated by Barbara Cantini

    Here’s another confidence-building book for newly independent readers…

    This second story in the illustrated chapter book series, featuring Ghoulia, the not-so-scary zombie, is perfect for young readers that love a little mystery.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Audible

    Ages 6-8 | Publisher: Harry N. Abrams | ISBN-13: 978-1419736902

    Buy the BookThe Okay Witch

    Written and Illustrated by Emma Steinkellner

    How about our readers looking for a little witchy magic?

    There is so much to love about this heart-filled and humorous graphic novel pegged as Sabrina the Teenage Witch meets Roller Girl. When Moth Hush encounters some bullies, her life takes an unexpected and witchy turn.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 8-12 | Publisher: Aladdin | ISBN-13: 978-1534431461

    Buy the BookGhost: Thirteen Haunting Tales to Tell

    Written and Illustrated by Illustratus

    Any middle schooler that isn’t afraid of a little hair-raising should have a collection of ghost stories on hand to share with their friends at their next sleepover. Best read with the ceiling lights out and a flashlight in hand.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon

    Ages 9-12 | Publisher: Chronicle Books | ISBN-13: 978-1452171289

    Book Dead VoicesDead Voices

    Written by Katherine Arden

    Katherine Arden is known for her creepy storytelling. Dead Voices is her follow-up novel to Small Spaces—one of our picks from our Scary Stories book list. Set in a ski resort and filled with chilling, ghostly nightmares, this is a story that will take readers from fall into winter. Try the audiobook narrated by Renee Dorian and listen together as a family—the family that gets spooked together clings together.

    Order a Copy Now: Amazon | Audible

    Ages 10+ | Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers | ISBN-13: 978-0525515050

    Go Beyond the Books with These Fun Games and Stationery Items

    An enjoyable way to help reinforce reading and vocabulary skills is to play games. The following picks would all be fun for a Halloween party, too!

    Order NowMonster Stationery

    Created by Ooly

    The monster-themed stationery items make fun party favors or even work for filling your trick-or-treat bowl! Putting a teal pumpkin on the front porch has become a popular way for families to signify they offer allergy-free treats for Halloween.

    Order Now: Amazon

    Ages 3+ | Publisher: Ooly | ASIN: B01FNAD1L6

    Buy the GameScary Bingo: Fun with Monsters and Crazy Creatures

    Illustrated by Rob Hodgson

    A spooky and silly twist on the classic game of bingo. Three to seven players can participate at a time, so it’s perfect for small groups and family participation.

    Order Now: Amazon

    Ages 5+ | Publisher: Laurence King Publishing | ISBN-13: 978-1786270085

    Buy the GameFeed The Woozle

    Created by Peaceable Kingdom

    There is absolutely nothing else but fun going on when you have to feed the Woozle snacks like moldy macaroni, and hairy pickles while doing the Hula dance. Feed the Woozle is a cooperative game that works on a bunch of different preschool skills.

    Order Now: Amazon

    Ages 5+ | Publisher: Peaceable Kingdom | ASIN: B00L3DQ1B0

    This book list, 12 Kids’ Books for Halloween and Beyond, was curated by Bianca Schulze. For similar books and articles, follow along with our content tagged with Books About Witches, Halloween Books, Monsters, Pumpkin, Scary Stories, and Spooky.

    What to Read Next:

    1. The Best New Kids’ Books for Halloween 2020
    2. 6 Scary Stories: Zombies, Monsters, Folklore, and Paranormal Activity
    3. Best New Picture Books | September 2017
    4. 8 Board Books That Make You Batty for Halloween

    *Disclosure: Please note that this post may contain affiliate links that share some commission. Rest assured that these will not affect the cost of any products and services promoted here. Our team always provides their authentic opinion in all content published on this site.

    Atheneum Books for Young Readers Barbara Cantini Blair Thornburgh Blue Manatee Press Books About Witches Candlewick Carole Gerber Chronicle Books Edward Miller Emma Steinkellner Erin Barker Familius Frederick Glasser Games Halloween Halloween Books Harry N. Abrams Illustratus Jarvis Katherine Arden Laurence King Publishing Letizia Rubegni Marie D. Jones Max Brallier Monsters Noel Ill Patricia Toht Peaceable Kingdom Pumpkin Rebecca Elliott Rob Hodgson Scary Stories Scott Campbell Spooky W. Harry Kirn
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    Bianca Schulze
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    Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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