22 Best Halloween Picture Books for Kids
Add heart to this spooky holiday.
What child (or child at heart) doesn't love the imaginative aspects of Halloween, a celebration of candy and costumes?
Of course, this holiday lends itself to some difficult conversations, when young children observe costumes, advertisements, and television previews that may be beyond their emotional readiness. Some are just downright yucky. These books will help your child navigate this tricky season.
Enhance your reading with these discussion questions about courage, bravery, what makes us scared, and how we can help others during this fun, creative holiday.
Featured Title
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin? by Margaret McNamara
Which pumpkin has the most seeds? The biggest, medium-sized, or smallest pumpkin? Join Mr. Tiffin and his class for a fun, and surprisingly sweet, investigation. Who knew a math and science inquiry could feature so much kindness!
More DGT Favorites
Bats at the Library by Brian Lies
Book lovers great and small will love to tag along with the bats on this hilarious library romp.
Click the image to preview the book!
Behind the Mask by Yangsook Choi
From the author of The Name Jar, another DGT favorite, comes an unforgettable Halloween story. When young Kimin says he will be ‘his grandfather’ for Halloween, the other kids scoff. “Going as an old man is not very scary!” But Kimin knows something they do not. His grandfather was a Korean mask dancer, and his special mask will make a wonderful costume, one that holds surprises for the other kids, and a secret for him!
Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Halloween with Pumpkins, Costumes, and Candy by Deborah Heiligman
Travel the world one Halloween at a time! This fun exploration of global holiday traditions is sure to broaden perspectives and inspire your whole family’s curiosity.
The Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
This charming story starts when the witch discovers her big, beautiful pumpkin is just too big to harvest. She must rely on her spooky friends for help. Big-hearted readers everywhere will love the message that small creatures can make a big difference.
Beneath the Ghost Moon by Jane Yolen
This powerful lesson in forgiveness and courage is also a delightfully fanciful story. The dreaded creepie-crawlies nearly ruin the Halloween ball for all the excited mice. This adventure may inspire your own little mice to stage a Halloween dance party!
Go Away, Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley
Page by page the monster grows, until your little one is ready to show him who is boss. Then page by page, watch that monster disappear. This book is sure to vanish Halloween fears.
Happy Halloween Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt
A mom reassures her young son - lovingly called stinky face - as he imagines all the things that might go wrong while trick-or-treating.
The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari
Though nearly every young sapling are dreams of becoming a Christmas tree, one grumpy, old tree can’t stand the twinkling lights and gaudy decorations. Follow along as Halloween Tree finds her place in the world in what is sure to become a holiday favorite!
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
Discover the power of humor to conquer fear in this imaginative and beautifully told story.
Jack the Bum and the Halloween Handout by Janet Shulman
A sweet story about a man who gives a surprising donation to UNICEF on Halloween. (No longer in print, but available at most libraries and resellers.)
Laugh Out Loud Spooky Jokes for Kids by Rob Elliott
All types of Halloween jokes to make a frightful evening a little more laughable. Perfect for adding a little fun to a homemade Halloween greeting card.
Los Gatos Black on Halloween by Marisa Montes
Primarily in English, this adorable story also seamlessly introduces Spanish. Join all of los monstrous in exploring all of the delights of the season through poetry and a party!
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. William
This is an absolutely treasured classic. It is a joy to read and re-read, with lots of repetition, interesting sounds, and laugh-out-loud moments.
Miss Hazeltine's Home for Shy and Fearful Cats by Alicia Potter
There is nothing wrong with being shy or fearful. But even the most timid among us have the capacity for great bravery. Full of hilarious illustrations, this book is perfect for any cat lover or any kid looking to unlock his inner courage.
The Right One for Roderic by Violeta Nay
This fun story is an empowering celebration of embracing differences. Little readers will delight in Noy’s sweet message and humorous illustrations.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A witch and her cat are off on a moonlit broom ride when her hat is blown off into the darkness. As they attempt to recover the witchy hat, they wind up taking on passengers, dodging a dragon, and solving their space conundrum with style! Axel Scheffler’s illustrations make the whole thing incredibly fun!
Stellaluna by Janel Cannon
Nothing sets a Halloween mood quite like bats. But this little tale of a lost baby bat and her attempt to fit in with a kindly bird family is fun in any season. Stellaluna’s adventures teach kids all about bats, and, even more importantly, all about how good friends can appreciate their differences.
Tuesday by David Weisener
If you haven’t had a chance to fall in love with David Weisener’s work, now is the time, and this is the book! Though it may not be a Halloween book explicitly, the unexpected nocturnal flight of frogs sets a perfectly eerie, charmingly fantastical tone for the holiday.
When Pumpkins Fly by Margaret Lawrence
Set in the arctic, fly-in community of Sanikiluaq, Nunavut, the last cargo flight of October brings some strange orange guests for the children. Seeing a pumpkin for the first time, the local kids are excited to carve their first pumpkin. But when they head inside for the big dance, the pumpkin is left alone. The land is home to many mischievous spirits, especially on Halloween! Filled with reference to Inuit folklore and celebrations, this book is a holiday delight!
Zen Ghosts by Jon Muth
Reconnect with Addy, Michael, and Karl from Zen Shorts as they celebrate Halloween with their good friend Stillwater. A ghostly tale and Muth’s signature poetic prose set a wonderful tone in this story.
Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPuchio
Full of silliness and heart, this book is sure to put a positive spin on your Halloween antics.
Looking for a chapter book? Older children might also enjoy:
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
In one of his few books for children, Bradbury brings kids on a ghostly time travel adventure to search for their lost friend and the meaning of Halloween. In the end, the boys in the story are courageous enough to make an important sacrifice to save their friend and get home again.
Conversation Starters
What is courage?
Does everyone get scared?
What should you do when you are afraid?
Can you imagine a situation when you could be very brave, like the character in your story? Color a picture or tell a story about your brave moment.
Why is it fun to dress up as someone or something else?
How can we help others during this fun, creative holiday?
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