Some of our favorite reads for the Halloween season!
Halloween is almost here, and we’ve been waiting all month to pull out our favorite seasonal stories! For this month’s What We’re Reading, we gathered books that bring the fun of the season without the frights. You’ll find a few books you may remember from your own childhood, some newer favorites, and a few brand-new releases we think will be on family bookshelves for years to come.
Halloween can feel big when you’re little. Masks, decorations, and trick-or-treating in the dark can be a lot for young kids. Reading about Halloween ahead of time is one of the easiest ways to help children know what to expect. We’ve lined these up like Halloween night itself, from the first nervous butterflies to sorting the candy haul at the end. Grab a blanket and settle in!
Be Brave, My Baby Boo
by Nicola Edwards, illustrated by Natalie Marshall
Ages 2–8
Baby Boo is nervous about Halloween, so his family helps him find his brave. This bright, cheerful picture book comes from the creators of the bestselling You’re My Little Baby Boo board book. It’s a gentle first introduction to the holiday, especially for a little one who isn’t so sure about all the costumes and decorations yet.
The Bats on the Bus
by Alison Jackson, illustrated by Scott Magoon
Ages 3–6
The wheels on the bus go round and round, and this year, so do the bats! This Halloween twist on a classic song is made for singing out loud. If your family already knows the tune, you’re halfway there. Songs and rhymes help little ones hear the sounds inside words, which is an important early step toward reading.
Room on the Broom
by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Ages 3–7
A kind witch keeps losing things in the wind, and every animal that helps her find them asks for a ride on her broom. Published in 2001, this rhyming read-aloud was a childhood favorite for many of today’s parents. It’s a sweet story about making room for friends, with a happy ending for everyone (except maybe the dragon).
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Ages 4–8
On her walk home through the woods, a little old lady is followed by a pair of shoes, a pair of pants, a shirt, and more. Each one makes a sound of its own. She isn’t scared, and by the end of the story, your kids won’t be either. Published in 1986, this book is built for joining in, and kids love adding the sounds and motions as the story goes.
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost / Gustavo, el fantasmita tímido
by Flavia Z. Drago
Ages 3–7
Gustavo can walk through walls and glow in the dark, but he’s too shy to talk to the other monsters. With Día de Muertos coming, he decides to invite them all to his violin concert. Mexico City–born author-illustrator Flavia Z. Drago fills every page with color and little details to find, and the book is available in both English and Spanish.
The Haunted Playground
by R.J. Palacio, illustrated by Brett Helquist
Ages 4–8
From the author of Wonder comes a rhyming story about what happens once trick-or-treating is over and everyone is tucked in. That’s when the ghosts head to the playground, not to haunt, but to play. When two kids show up to join the fun, the night gets even better. Brett Helquist’s oil paintings are gorgeous, and his ghosts are far more playful than scary.
Creepy Carrots!
by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
Ages 4–8
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots, especially the ones from Crackenhopper Field. Then he starts seeing carrots everywhere, and he becomes sure they’re coming for him. This 2013 Caldecott Honor book is the spookiest one on our list, but it’s the fun kind of spooky, and the twist at the end gets a laugh every time.
Harriet’s Halloween Candy
by Nancy Carlson
Ages 5–8
Did you grow up with Harriet? Minnesota author-illustrator Nancy Carlson first published this one in 1982 with Minneapolis’s own Carolrhoda Books, and its lesson still holds up. Harriet is determined not to share her Halloween candy with her little brother, Walt, until she learns that keeping it all to herself doesn’t feel so great after all.
Teachers have used this book to practice sorting for years, so try it at home! After trick-or-treating, sort your candy together by color, shape, or size, then decide what to keep, what to share, and what to save for later.
Reading together around the holidays is a simple way to build vocabulary, talk about big feelings, and help little ones know what’s coming. Before you dig into that candy, check out our Halloween tips for every age for ideas on keeping the night safe and fun.
What was your favorite Halloween book growing up? Find Way to Grow on the socials and tell us! 🎃📚
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