My kids love to read and they love Halloween, so it’s only natural that some of their favorite books are Halloween themed! After updating my list of fall books for kids, I wanted to get to this post before the holiday sneaks up on all of us. My kids have also decorated the house already, so we’re in full Halloween mode over here.
If you’ve seen my other book posts, you know that I usually store away our seasonal books so they remain relevant and interesting to my kids. I typically pull these Halloween books for kids out over Labor Day weekend so that we have a solid two months to enjoy them. There truly is something exciting (and nostalgic) about reading a favorite book you haven't seen in a year!
In my list below, you’ll find some of the best Halloween books for kids from toddlers through early elementary (in my opinion, anyway!). And if you aren’t too sure how your kid will feel about Halloween stories, just skip down to the next section to see why these types of books can be useful.
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Toddlers Books (0-3) | Preschooler Books (3-5) | Early Elementary Schooler Books (6-8) | FAQ
How Kids Benefit From Halloween Stories
In movies, Halloween stories are usually told at night — either around a campfire or right before bedtime. But in this house, we read Halloween books any time of the day! If you feel like certain aspects of Halloween may be too scary for your kids, here are a few ways that books can help.
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Introduce new concepts. Halloween books for kids can help them understand new ideas and experiences in age-appropriate ways. For example, toddlers can learn about Halloween traditions, like going trick-or-treating.
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Face fears within a safe environment. Silly stories about monsters and witches can help kids feel more prepared for Halloween. Kids can also start to process and manage their own fears by relating to them in books. For example, you can choose a book where the character overcomes their fear of something spooky.
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Get fun ideas for Halloween. A Halloween book can inspire new ideas for costumes, decorating the house, and other seasonal activities. This is a great way for families to bond, connect books to real-life experiences, and make new memories together.
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Make learning more fun. Books always offer a chance to educate kids in fun, low-stress ways. For example, you can choose Halloween books for toddlers and preschoolers that teach letters and counting. For older kids, you can find stories with valuable life lessons.
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Inspire their imaginations. Halloween books can give kids new ideas for pretend play and encourage their creativity. For example, you might see your preschooler pretending that a stick is a magic wand or playing “trick-or-treat” with their stuffies. Older kids might write spooky stories or want to create their own costumes.
Halloween Books
I've rounded up our favorite picks for kids of all ages, from toddlers just discovering Halloween to early elementary readers who want a little more spooky mixed in, with a fun variety of cute, silly, and spooky stories along the way. While there's nothing too scary in here, keep in mind that new fears can emerge between ages 3-4. You can help kids face these fears by choosing funny, lighthearted books to read during the day.
Cute Halloween Books for Babies & Toddlers (Ages 0-3)
This Llama Llama book uses short, simple text to introduce Halloween traditions. Little ones will learn about dressing up in costumes, pumpkin carving, and going trick-or-treating. Ages 1+
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins
Looking for Halloween books for toddlers? Add this Pete the Cat story to your collection! Little ones will love singing along to this classic song and following along with Pete as he goes trick-or-treating. Ages 1+
This lift-the-flap story is a cute addition to your Halloween books for toddlers. As the little blue truck and toad drive down the road, they come across their friends in Halloween costumes. Just lift the flap to see who it is! Ages 1+
Figuring out your Halloween costume can be tricky! Little Pookie tries on different costumes until he finally finds the right one for trick-or-treating. This is a great way to introduce the concept of dressing up for Halloween, plus the simple, rhyming text will appeal to toddlers. Ages 1+
If you’re looking for silly Halloween books for kids with short, simple text, this is the one! Skeleton wakes up with the hiccups and goes about his day — hic, hic, hiccuping — until his ghost friend finally figures out how to scare the hiccups away. Ages 2+
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Ghost
A familiar favorite with a slightly spooky twist! This is a great choice for anyone looking for kids Halloween books that are more silly than scary. As always, kids will enjoy following along to see what the old lady swallows and why. Ages 2+
This book features beautiful details and cutouts that capture the essence of fall and the magic of Halloween. Ollie and her cat are outside playing in a leaf pile when they discover a lost kitten. Little ones will enjoy finding out what happens next, including who the kitten belongs to! Ages 2+
This is one of the most popular Halloween books for kids! The witch and her cat love flying on their broom, until one windy day that blows away her hat, bow, and wand. Kids will love this unexpected adventure that illustrates the importance of kindness and friendship. Ages 2+
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
This classic Halloween story is full of fun sounds and just the right amount of spooky. A little old lady takes a walk in the woods, only to be followed by clomping shoes, wiggling gloves, and a pumpkin head that says “Boo!” Kids will love joining in on the repetition and sound effects. Ages 2+
Halloween Books for Preschoolers (Ages 3-5)
Gustavo loves music, art, and being a ghost—but he struggles with making friends. When he finally gathers the courage to share his talents, he discovers the magic of connection and being true to yourself. With colorful Día de los Muertos–inspired illustrations, this heartwarming story is perfect for kids who sometimes feel a little shy. Ages 3+
In this cute and silly story, Froggy imagines different costumes, decorates his house, and practices what he’ll say on Halloween. Despite all the planning, his night of trick-or-treating doesn’t go quite like he thought it would, but it still ends with a happy surprise. Ages 3+
All the other dogs always tease Oscar about his size, leaving him left out of the fun on Halloween. But everything changes when Oscar courageously saves the day and chooses kindness over revenge. Ages 3+
Don’t worry — this book is actually more silly than scary! The story begins with a ghost narrator leading you into a forest that he claims is creepy. But everything that pops out ends up being adorable and fun for kids instead. Ages 3+
This Halloween story is perfect for kids who love the “How to Catch” series. While trick-or-treating, the kids notice a witch in the sky who has invited ghosts, goblins, and other creepy creatures into their world. Will their traps work to send them all back? Ages 3+
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt
Ghosts are supposed to be sheets. So when he can’t fly or twirl like his friends, the little ghost feels left out. But everything changes one Halloween when he has a new experience that no other ghost could — all because he’s different. Ages 3+
A spooky twist on a classic story! Finnigan is a skeleton with a huge appetite. While traveling, a witch sees him and warns the town ahead to hide their food. Will he stay hungry or will he get his wish for a Halloween feast? Ages 3+
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
Brother and Sister are excited to go trick-or-treating with friends — and a little nervous, too. They make a plan to visit every house, except for the spooky, old tree house where they think a witch lives. When Too-Tall tries to play a trick on the neighbor, they all learn that appearances can be deceiving. Ages 3+
If you’re searching for funny stories that aren’t scary, add this one to your kids Halloween books. The crayons can’t wait to go trick-or-treating, but they’re not sure what to say! Little ones will laugh along as Purple Crayon tries to coach them on the right words. Ages 3+
This is a silly and clever story about a skeleton whose bones keep flying off no matter what he does. After expressing his worry about kids making fun of him at school, his friends come up with solutions to stop him from falling apart. Ages 3+
This story shows kids how your imagination can get the best of you — especially on Halloween. While trick-or-treating, everyone is convinced that a witch lives in the creepy house on the corner. When D.W. goes inside the house, Arthur overcomes his fear to save his sister and finds out that things aren’t always what they seem. Ages 3+
Jasper Rabbit is not a little bunny anymore. He’s not afraid of anything, including a silly pair of Halloween underwear. But when the lights are off, his underwear begins to creep him out. This is a funny story with a clever solution that helps Jasper face — and overcome — his fear. Ages 3+
Stumpkin is the last pumpkin left in the patch, and he's convinced nobody will pick him because of his crooked stump. This is a sweet story about being chosen just as you are, and it's become one of our go-to reads for teaching kids that different doesn't mean less special. Ages 3+
How to Make Friends with a Ghost
This quirky guide teaches kids what to do when a ghost wanders into their life—how to feed it (think mud tarts & earwax truffles), keep it warm, and even how not to let people think it’s a marshmallow! Whimsical illustrations and offbeat humor make this “how-to” ghost care manual more sweet than spooky. Ages 4+
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
Halloween is the Bad Seed’s favorite holiday. But he’s in a bad mood because he hasn’t found the perfect costume. After tricking everyone into postponing Halloween, a pumpkin seed reminds him that Halloween is about more than costume competitions and candy. Ages 4+
Halloween Books for Early Elementary (Ages 6-8)
My kids love this series! The Halloween edition includes 300 facts about candy, costumes, pumpkins, and more. Perfect for curious kids who enjoy learning about and sharing random facts — or who have aged out of other Halloween books. Ages 6+
Ghoulia: Making New Friends Can Be Scary
Ghoulia is a ghost who just wants to make friends, but being see-through and a little spooky makes that tricky. This sweet story is perfect for kids who are nervous about fitting in, and it's a good reminder that being different is what makes you interesting. Ages 6+
The Pumpkin Head Mystery: A Halloween Holiday Special (The Boxcar Children)
The Boxcar Children are back for a Halloween mystery! When a mysterious pumpkin head keeps popping up around town, the kids are determined to figure out who's behind it. This is a great pick if your early reader loves a gentle whodunit with just the right amount of spooky. Ages 6+
Written by Roald Dahl, The Witches is a classic Halloween story for kids. Filled with memorable and offbeat characters, like the grandmamma, grandson, and the grand high witch, this book engages young readers with fantastical elements that are both spooky and silly. Ages 7+
This one's a classic for a reason! When the Monroe family finds a bunny with fangs at the movie theater, their pets suspect he might be a vampire. Told from the family dog's point of view, this chapter book is silly, a little spooky, and a fun first mystery series for kids who are ready to move past picture books. Ages 8+
Halloween Reading Tips for Parents
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Get in the Halloween spirit. Creating the right atmosphere can make a difference when engaging kids in stories. Do they want to be cozy? Light a seasonal candle and snuggle up on the couch with blankets. If they enjoy the spooky side of Halloween, you can dim the lights or add your own sound effects. If they don’t like anything scary, you can play up the fun side of Halloween by using silly voices while reading.
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Engage them in the story. While reading, ask kids what they think will happen next. Afterward, you can ask what their favorite part was, if anything felt scary, or what they would do in that situation. Reading these books can also encourage conversations about Halloween traditions and what they would enjoy doing.
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Make reading part of your Halloween tradition. I usually store our seasonal books away and bring them out around the same time every year. This way, the books become part of getting ready for Halloween (similar to decorating the house) — and it’s a fun activity that my kids look forward to.
FAQ: Halloween Books for Kids
How do you choose your kids Halloween books?
There are so many good ones! As always, it’s important to consider your kids’ ages and interests. Some kids may prefer a sweet and funny Halloween story while others want something a little more spooky. Most of our books lean toward the cute and silly side of Halloween.
What ages are these books best for?
My list includes Halloween books for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary readers. They're either stories my girls loved when they were little, or what they currently read every Halloween!
Are there any Halloween books with a deeper message?
Some of the books above are just fun to read while others include valuable lessons, like what it means to be a good friend, how to show kindness to others, and why we shouldn’t judge based on outward appearances.
What about educational Halloween stories?
The Weird But True Halloween book is perfect for young learners who love to share facts. If you want a book that’s better suited to toddlers and preschoolers, check out this ABC Halloween book.
What's a good Halloween chapter book for kids just starting to read on their own?
If your reader is ready to graduate from picture books, The Pumpkin Head Mystery from the Boxcar Children series is a great gentle mystery to start with. Once they're ready for something with a little more bite, Bunnicula is a classic for a reason. Both are silly enough to keep things fun without tipping into anything too scary.
Where do you buy your books?
I mostly use Amazon and Target to find the best deals on books. A great site for vetting kids books and searching by age or grade is Scholastic. Of course, you can always check out your local library, or ask your librarian for recommendations.
Should I avoid books that might scare my kids?
It’s common for kids to develop new fears around the ages of three to four. They may suddenly seem scared of the dark, monsters, ghosts, or witches. Reading age-appropriate books that deal with these topics in a silly and encouraging way can actually help them overcome their fears.
What are good Halloween books for kids who don't like anything scary?
You're in the right place! Most of our picks lean cute and silly rather than spooky, so there's plenty to choose from. Llama Llama Trick or Treat, Spooky Pookie, and The Crayons Trick or Treat are all great starting points for little ones, while Stumpkin and The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt are sweet, gentle reads for slightly older kids. None of these will keep anyone up at night, promise.
More Fall & Halloween Fun 🍂
Are any of these books your kids' favorites too? Share with me in the comments below, or let me know if there are any good ones I missed!
For more fall and Halloween fun, check out my fall bucket list, my full list of fall books for kids, boo basket ideas, the best Halloween movies for kids, cute and spooky Halloween decorations, and Halloween baking.
