38 Halloween Children’s Books Perfect for Spooky Season

Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get in the spooky spirit than reading Halloween-themed books with your kids.

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The following is a list of our favorite fiction and a few non-fiction Halloween books that my kids and I love. A description from Amazon is included, as well as the recommended reading interest levels and reading level information that could be found for each text.

Fiction Books

1.Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (2001)

From Amazon: “The witch and her cat couldn’t be happier, flying through the sky on their broomstick-until the witch drops her hat, then her bow, then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items and all they want in return is a ride on the broomstick. But is there room on the broom for so many new friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from the clutches of a hungry dragon?”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-7 years
Grade Level: Preschool-2
Lexile Level: 600L

2.There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat by Lucille Colandro (2005)

From Amazon: “The Old Lady is back and this time she’s swallowing a bat, an owl, a cat, a ghost, a goblin…and more! This Halloween-themed twist on the classic rhyme will delight and entertain all brave readers who dare to read it!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 400L

3.The Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey (1999)

From Amazon: “Oscar is a little dog with a big problem — he gets more tricks than treats because other dogs tease him all the time. But one brave act on Halloween makes Oscar a Grade-A hero, proving that a little wiener can be a real winner!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 580L

4.The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari (2019)

From Amazon: “Everyone knows most young saplings dream of becoming Christmas trees. But one grumpy, old tree who doesn’t like lights, decorations, or people is determined to be different. Get ready to meet the Halloween Tree!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 660L

5.Druscilla’s Halloween by Sally M. Walker (2009)

From Amazon: “Did witches always ride brooms? No! In fact, long, long ago, witches crept about on tiptoe. On Halloween, they would scare children and cast spells . . . but always from the ground. No witch ever thought of flying―no witch until Druscilla. Druscilla was an old witch with the loudest, creakiest knees anyone had ever heard. But she was determined not to let anything spoil her element of surprise. One Halloween, after many failed attempts at sneaking up on unsuspecting villagers, Druscilla made a discovery that changed the course of witch history.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 5-9 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3

6.The Good, The Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John and Pete Oswald (2021)

From Amazon: “Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday of the year. But what’s a seed to do when he can’t find a show-stopping costume for the big night? Postpone trick-or-treating for everyone, of course! Can he get a costume together in time? Or will this seed return to his baaaaaaaaad ways?”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-9 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3

7.Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins (2023)

From Amazon: “Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn’t like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decides the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a scary story. But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?”

Pages: 48
Reading Interest Age: 3-6 years
Grade Level: Preschool-Kindergarten

8.Pig The Monster by Aaron Blabey (2021)

From Amazon: “Pig, the world’s greediest pug, is on the rampage for TREATS! TREATS! TREATS! But don’t even think about being stingy with the goodies, because this candy-fueled glutton has some terrible tricks up his sleeve…”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-1

9.How to Haunt a House by Carolyn Crimi (2021)

From Amazon: “Groana, Moana, and Shrieky are three little ghosties learning the tricks to giving a good scare. They stomp around, spook family pets, and slam toilet seats. They’re all set to pass their Halloween test, until they find a family that doesn’t scare easily. In fact, they LOVE everything the ghosties send their way―especially the bats and rats! What does it take to horrify a household like this one? Sometimes you have to think outside the box (or casket!) to find a way around a problem.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 430L

10.The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason (2020)

From Amazon: “Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can’t whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot. He doesn’t know why he’s a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn’t really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can’t keep up. But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he’s a quilt . . . and he realizes that it’s OK to be different.”

Pages: 48
Reading Interest Age: 2-7 years
Grade Level: Preschool-2

11.Halloween is Coming by Cal Everett (2021)

From Amazon: “Marching in the school parade in frightening costumes that we’ve made; Look around, the signs are clear, Halloween is getting near! Halloween is Coming is a lyrical celebration of the building excitement that children―and adults!―feel as the magical and mysterious night of Halloween approaches.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 2-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3

12.At the Old Haunted House by Helen Kettman (2014)

From Amazon: “There are all kinds of creatures in the house: a big Ma monster and her wee monsters two, a scrawny black cat and her wee kittens three, a green Pa goblin and his wee goblins four, and more! Count along as the creatures prepare for the Halloween Fright. The text, written in the pattern of the popular poem “Over in the Meadow,” makes reading aloud fun, while the cinematic illustrations set the scene for an unforgettable romp through the old haunted house. Trick or treat!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 2-7 years
Grade Level: Preschool-2
Lexile Level: 470L

13.Skeletons Are Not Spooky! by Duds & Kaine (2018)

From Amazon: “For everything that skeletons do for us, why do they have such a bad reputation for being spooky? Maybe they are just like us and want to have a little bit of fun. The creative children’s book duo of Kaine & Duds tries to set the record straight in this entertaining tale for everybody.”

Pages: 33
Reading Interest Age: 3-7 years

14.Don’t Push the Button! A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter (2018)

From Amazon: “From the brilliant mind of author and illustrator, Bill Cotter comes one of the year’s best Halloween books for kids. Everyone knows that trick-or-treating is the best part of Halloween. But that one house looks kind of scary…wait, why are you walking toward the creepy house?! Whatever you do, do NOT ring that doorbell!”

Pages: 22
Reading Interest Age: 2-5 years
Grade Level: Preschool-Kindergarten
Lexile Level: 490L

15.The Crayons Trick or Treat by Drew Daywalt (2022)

From Amazon: “The Crayons want to go trick-or-treating, but they’re not sure what to say! In this humorous, small hardcover Halloween story, Purple Crayon teaches the rest of the crayon box the magic words to say when they ring their neighbors’ doorbells. (Hint: It’s NOT “Boo!”)”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-7 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 290L

16.The Scariest Story You’ve Ever Heard by Ron Keres (2022)

From Amazon: “On a stormy night, the power goes out in one family’s house—and two young brothers dare to investigate some mysterious sounds they are hearing…CREEEAAAK… CRRRAAACK… THUMP… THUMP… THUMP… GRRRRRR!…and so begins a night they will never forget! This fun, imaginative picture book will have you laughing along with young readers as you reach the big twist at the end. Scary noises are not always what they seem to be! With beautiful design and illustration by Arthur Lin, The Scariest Story You’ve Ever Heard is the perfect gift for Halloween, Christmas, back-to-school, and birthdays!”

Pages: 47
Reading Interest Age: 4-8 years

17.Snowmen At Halloween by Caralyn Buehner (2022)

From Amazon: “Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you’ve wondered . . . what do snowmen do when we’re not watching? After an early snowfall, a few kids build some snowmen before going trick-or-treating. And when the kids go off to bed, the snowmen have their own Halloween festival! There’s candy and apple-bobbing and costume contests and all sorts of autumn activities. When the kids wake up the next morning, the snowmen are gone . . . but they’ve left a very special message behind.”

Pages: 28
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 670L

18.The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams (2019)

From Amazon: “Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap. And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 710L

19.The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll (1993)

From Amazon: “Once there were two mice who fell in love with the same pumpkin….Desmond the field mouse wants to carve the biggest jack-o’-lantern in the neighborhood with his pumpkin. Clayton the house mouse wants to win the Biggest Pumpkin contest with his. But when they discover that their choice pumpkins are actually the same one, Desmond and Clayton decide to work together to grow the biggest pumpkin ever!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 570L

20.Harry and the Haunted House by Chris Robertson (2022)

From Amazon: “Something spooky is happening at Harry’s house! In same world as HARRY AND THE HOT LAVA, Chris Robertson has created a fun new picture book featuring a spooky, not scary, haunted house. Harry knows there’s something special going on for Halloween in his home. Is it creepy? Is it kooky? Watch out, Harry! This fun Halloween-themed adventure is sure to get kids laughing and interacting with Harry as he tries to discover the secret to the spooky goings-on.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 5-8 years
Grade Level: 1-2

21.That Monster On the Block by Sue Ganz-Schmitt (2020)

From Amazon: “Monster is excited to see what kind of creature will move into Vampire’s old house on the block. He even starts practicing his welcome growl for the new neighbor. But when the moving truck pulls up, it’s not a greedy goblin, an ogre, or a dastardly dragon that steps out. Instead, it’s something even more terrifying than Monster could have imagined! Monster quickly rallies the other neighbors to unite against the new guy on the block. But what if the new neighbor isn’t exactly as bad as Monster thinks? Join Monster as he confronts his fears in this charming and lighthearted look at what it means to accept others who are different from us.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 560L

22.Bone Soup by Cambria Evans (2016)

From Amazon: “Known across the land for his infamous appetite, Finnigin is never seen without his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. When Finnigin finds himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join a great feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever-famished Finnigin. So what’s a hungry skeleton to do? Armed only with his wits and a special ingredient, will Finnigin be able to stir up a cauldron’s worth of Halloween magic?”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3

23.Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell (2000)

From Amazon: “The first pumpkin Tim ever carved was fierce and funny, and he named it Jack. When Halloween was over and the pumpkin was beginning to rot, Tim set it out in the garden and throughout the weeks he watched it change. By spring, a plant began to grow! Will Hubbell’s gentle story and beautifully detailed illustrations give an intimate look at the cycle of life.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 580L

24.A Wee Boo by Jessica Boyd (2022)

From Amazon: “Wee Boo is a ghost who wants nothing more than to earn her haunting license like all the other accredited ghosts. The problem? She’s far too cute to scare anyone! She’s given one last chance, with extraordinarily low standards: Boo doesn’t need to make anyone scream or gasp or shudder, she just needs one “whoa” to earn her place as a certified ghost. But she’s running out of chances and her final haunting is not going well―that is until she meets a baby. When Boo makes the baby laugh, she realizes something: although she’s terrible as a scary ghost, she might just make an outstanding imaginary friend. And a baby laughing in a crib at an invisible friend might just be enough to spook someone after all―the baby’s parents.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 3-6 years
Grade Level: Preschool-Kindergarten
Lexile Level: 510L

25.Sir Simon Super Scarer by Cale Atkinson (2022)

From Amazon: “Meet Sir Simon, Super Scarer. He’s a professional ghost who has been transferred to his first house. And just in time! He was getting tired of haunting bus stops and forests and potatoes. And to top it off, this house is occupied by an old lady — they’re the easiest to haunt! But things don’t go as planned when it turns out a KID comes with this old lady. Chester spots Simon immediately and peppers him with questions. Simon is exasperated . . . until he realizes he can trick Chester into doing his ghost chores. Spooky sounds, footsteps in the attic, creaks on the stairs — these things don’t happen on their own, you know! After a long night of haunting, it seems that maybe Chester isn’t cut out to be a ghost, so Simon decides to help with Chester’s human chores. Turns out Simon isn’t cut out for human chores either. But maybe they’re both cut out to be friends . . .”

Pages: 48
Reading Interest Age: 3-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 510L

26.Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler 2020)

From Amazon: “Bonaparte is having a tough time. It’s hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can’t keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flyer. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Blacky Widow, and Mummicula all have some bonehead ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?”

Pages: 40
Reading Interest Age: 3-7 years
Grade Level: Preschool-2
Lexile Level: 550L

27.Sheep Trick or Treat by Nancy Shaw (2017)

From Amazon: “As the Halloween moon rises, Sheep are fixing up disguises . . . What will happen when the sheep go trick-or-treating? Could there be wolves lurking in the woods, hoping to waylay them as they return home with their bags full of goodies? In crisp verse and whimsically eerie pictures, Nancy Shaw and Margot Apple tell the lively story of a remarkable Halloween adventure. Fans of this adventuresome flock of sheep will not want to miss this Halloween treat in board book format!”

Pages: 30

28.We’re Going On a Pumpkin Hunt by Mary Hogan Wilcox (2020)

From Amazon: “A spooky nighttime hunt for the biggest pumpkin in town results in a fright but also a great adventure. Laugh out loud at the sweet silliness and be heartened to know you might not be the only scaredy cat…er, mouse…in the pumpkin patch. The perfect read aloud for fall and Halloween fun.”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 2-5 years
Lexile Level: 370L

29.The (not so-scary) Book of Monsters by Ian James Dye (2023)

From Amazon: “Welcome to the world of the not-so-scary monsters! Each page contains a beautiful illustration of an adorable monster and a description of what they do. Some monsters like sports and some like to do chores, but none of them are scary! For those too young to read, this is the perfect book for a bedtime story. You can read the book all the way through or just pick a couple of monsters to read before bed.”

Pages: 34

30.Mother Ghost Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters by Rachel Kolar (2018)

From Amazon: “From “Mary, Mary, Tall and Scary” to “Wee Willie Werewolf,” this collection of classic nursery rhymes turned on their heads will give readers the chills–and a serious case of belly laughs. With clever rhyme and spooky illustrations, Mother Ghost is perfect for getting in the Halloween spirit. Boo!”

Pages: 32
Reading Interest Age: 5-7 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten-2
Lexile Level: 630L

31.It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff (2019)

From Amazon: “Mouse is excited for fall because that means it is time to decorate pumpkins! But one is missing. Where could it have gone? This is the perfect Halloween book for the very youngest reader, and is just the right book to get kids and budding artists inspired to work on their own Halloween crafts.”

Pages: 24
Grade Level: Preschool
Lexile Level: 170L

32.Pinkalicious Pink or Treat! by Victoria Kann (2013)

From Amazon: “Pinkalicious can’t believe it: The mayor has canceled Halloween because a storm has knocked out the town’s power. No Halloween means no Halloween candy. No Halloween jack-o’-lanterns. No Halloween trick-or-treating. No Halloween holiday parties. And worst of all, no Halloween costumes. Pinkalicious has the perfect Pinkagirl costume and she absolutely has to wear it. Superhero Pinkagirl would find a way to save Halloween, and Pinkalicious decides she will too. All she needs to do is figure out a way to get the town’s lights back on. The lights don’t come on—here’s what happens: Pinkalicious persuades the mayor to have a Halloween party in the park in front of City Hall—from all over town, folks come with their flashlights, their pink pumpkins, and goodies to share.”

Pages: 24
Reading Interest Age: 5-8 years
Grade Level: Preschool-3
Lexile Level: 650L

33.How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead & Megan Joyce (2022)

From Amazon: “It’s Halloween night and something doesn’t seem quite right… When the How to Catch Kids head out to trick-or-treat, there are ghosts, goblins, and ghouls everywhere! Our heroes discover a witch on a broom has opened a magical portal that let out spooky creatures all over the neighborhood. Follow along in this frightfully fun story as they set zany traps for the witch to close the portal and save Halloween before all the candy is gone!”

Pages: 40
Reading Interest Age: 5-8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten-3

34.How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace & Andy Elkerton (2017)

From Amazon: “Get ready to laugh along in this fun children’s monster book as a brave young ninja heads into the closet to meet the monster that’s been so scary night after night! But what if our monster isn’t scary at all? Maybe our hero is about to make a friend of the strangest sort…”

Pages: 40
Reading Interest Age: 5-8 years
Grade Level: Kindergarten-3
Lexile Level: 510L

35.Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano

From Amazon: “One day in the pumpkin patch the strangest little pumpkin hatched…. Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day!”

Nonfiction Books

36.J is for Jack-O’-Lantern A Halloween Alphabet Book by Denise Brennan-Nelson (2009)

From Amazon: “Who lit the first jack-o’-lantern? What creature of the night must return to his grave by dawn? And why do we holler “Trick or treat”? J is for Jack-O’-Lantern: A Halloween Alphabet invites you to come along on this A-Z adventure and celebration of all things that “go bump in the night.” Poetry and prose combine to entertain and educate. H is for Haunted House A haunted house; you better beware. Only enter if you dare. Monsters lurking, looking mean– Just can’t wait to make you scream! Classic autumn games, jokes, and recipes (including gooey deviled egg eyeballs!) help round out the Halloween festivities. Atmospheric artwork blends just enough fun with fright to provide the perfect backdrop.”

Pages: 40
Reading Interest Age: 6-9 years
Grade Level: 1-4

37.Weird but True! Halloween: 300 Spooky Facts to Scare You Silly by National Geographic Kids (2020)

From Amazon: “Calling all boys and ghouls: You’re in for a treat of freaky facts, stats, tidbits, and trivia about one of the most popular holidays! Did you know that there is an underwater pumpkin carving contest? Or that the U.S. Defense Department has a zombie apocalypse plan? Maybe you’d be amazed to discover that there are more Halloween emojis than there are U.S. states? It’s all weird–and it’s all true–in this latest and greatest edition, packed with hilarious and terrifying tidbits on Halloween!”

Pages: 208
Reading Interest Age: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7