Halloween is almost upon us and the time to get into the spooky reading atmosphere is here.
From books for the littlest tricker-or-treaters to ones for slightly older kids who don’t mind a scare here or there.
I’ve curated a selection of Halloween books that are sure to satisfy even the grumpiest little monsters.
So, let’s get our festive reading hats on and browse through this list of the 12 best Halloween books for kids.
Best Kids Books For Halloween
No matter what kind of little reader, this selection has got everyone covered.
Picture Books
For 3-5 year olds
Trick or Treat by Roald Dahl
Trick or Treat is a fun Halloween story that follows two mischievous kids as they go out for trick-or-treating. They visit different houses and encounter all sorts of surprises along the way. Things take a spooky turn when they knock on the door of a strange, mysterious house. Filled with Dahl’s signature humor and a little bit of Halloween magic, it’s a delightful read for kids who love spooky adventures!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy Crawly Halloween by Eric Carle
In The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy Crawly Halloween, the beloved caterpillar is back for a fun Halloween adventure! This time, he explores the spooky season, meeting different creepy-crawly friends along the way. As he wanders through the night, the caterpillar finds new costumes, glowing pumpkins, and other Halloween surprises. It’s a simple, colorful story perfect for young readers who prefer more gentle Halloween fun.
A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall
In A Spoonful of Frogs, a witch is preparing a delicious soup, but there’s one tricky ingredient: frogs! Every time she tries to add a frog, it jumps away, causing chaos in the kitchen. The story follows the witch’s funny attempts to catch the frogs and complete her recipe, all while stirring up a bit of Halloween mischief.
5 More Sleeps ‘til Halloween by Jimmy Fallon
5 More Sleeps ‘til Halloween follows a young boy who is counting down the days to his favorite holiday, Halloween. Each night, he eagerly waits for the big day, thinking about costumes, candy, and spooky fun. As the excitement builds with every sleep, the boy dreams of what Halloween will bring, making the countdown feel even more magical.
Kids
For 6-8 year olds
Crimson Twill: Witch in the City by Kallie George
In Crimson Twill: Witch in the City, Crimson is a young witch who’s a little different from the other witches. Instead of liking spooky clothes and dark things, she loves bright colors and cheerful hats. When she visits a big city for the first time, she’s excited to see all the shops and find something special. Along the way, Crimson makes new friends and shows that being yourself is the best kind of magic.
The Happy and Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee and Matthew J. Gilbert
In The Happy and Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13, the students of Classroom 13 are getting ready for Halloween, but things quickly get out of hand! Their teacher, Ms. Linda, has a magical coin that grants wishes, and when the kids make their wishes, the results are both happy and disastrous. From spooky transformations to wild costumes, the story takes readers on a fun and unpredictable Halloween adventure.
READ MORE: 12 Best Books to Read In Halloween
The Best Halloween Ever by Barbara Robinson
In The Best Halloween Ever, the Herdman kids—known for being the worst in town—are causing trouble again! This time, they’ve managed to get Halloween canceled. But when the school steps in to plan a new celebration, things don’t go as expected. The Herdmans find a way to join the fun, and what follows is a wild, unforgettable Halloween that no one in town will ever forget.
Evie and the Truth About Witches by John Martz
In Evie and the Truth About Witches, Evie loves learning about witches from her favorite books, but she discovers that the real truth about witches might differ from what she thinks. One day, she meets a real witch who shows her that witches aren’t always as scary as the stories say. Evie’s adventure leads her to understand the magic and mystery of witches in a whole new way.
Middle-Graders
For 9-12 year old
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
In The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a baby named Luna is accidentally given magical powers when a kind witch, Xan, feeds her moonlight. As Luna grows, her magic becomes harder to control, and she must learn to use it before it’s too late. Meanwhile, a young boy sets out to defeat the witch, believing she’s evil, and an ominous threat lurks in the forest. This story weaves magic, danger, and self-discovery together in a captivating adventure.
The Visitors by Greg Howard
In The Visitors, a boy named Riley discovers that his house is haunted by friendly ghosts who need his help. As he learns more about the ghosts’ past and their unfinished business, Riley finds himself on a quest to help them move on. The story combines mystery and supernatural elements, exploring themes of friendship and courage as Riley uncovers secrets and faces spooky challenges.
The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury
The Halloween Tree follows a group of friends who embark on a magical adventure on Halloween night. When their friend Pip is taken by a mysterious figure, the group must travel through time and different cultures to save him. Along the way, they learn about the history and traditions of Halloween, discovering the true meaning behind the holiday.
The Witches of Willow Cove by Josh Roberts
The Witches of Willow Cove centers around a young girl named Claire who moves to a mysterious town with a dark secret. In Willow Cove, she discovers that witches are real and are connected to the town’s history. As Claire digs deeper, she uncovers hidden magic and faces challenges that test her bravery.
READ MORE: 10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Halloween
