60 Best Halloween Books From Toddlers to Teens in 2024
Halloween books for kids are perfect for building kids’ boo-licious anticipation while reading in your home.
Plus, many of them also help with lessons on kindness, routine, and more!
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Use the table of contents below to find Halloween books for toddlers, elementary kids, or young adults.
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Kids Books For Halloween: Toddlers and Young Elementary
Halloween is exciting for little ones! Show them how fun the holiday is with these favorites.
1. Pumpkin Patch Party (Sesame Street) by Stephanie St Pierre (Ages 1-3)
Beware of the red furry monster! Just kidding, it’s just Elmo! Join Elmo, Cookie Monster and friends as they go to the not-so-scary pumpkin patch party. Toddlers will love the surprises hiding behind the fun flaps.
2. Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton (Ages 0-3)
*#1 Best Seller
Pookie is getting ready for Halloween but can’t decide what costume to wear! Littles will have such a treat as they follow along with Pookie and his many outfits.
3. Boo Halloween Lift-a-Flap Board Book Ages 0-4 (Peek-A-Flap)
*Fun interactive book for babies and toddlers!
Welcome to the pumpkin patch! There are fun little creatures hiding behind your pumpkins. Can your child spot them all?
4. Little Blue Trucks Halloween by Alice Schertle (Ages 1-4)
Our favorite little blue truck is back and ready for the Halloween party with friends! Lift the flaps and discover who is dressed up in a costume. Will Blue dress up too? Beep, Beep!
5. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J Elizabeth Mills (Ages 2-3)
*A musical adventure!
This haunted wheels on the bus is just the thing to get your kids into Halloween!
6. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Halloween by Disney Books (Ages 1-3)
*Over 50 interactive flaps
Peeka BOO! Your little one will have fun with Mickey and the gang as they help find treats, discover who’s hiding in the haunted house, and get dressed up for the Halloween party!
7. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (Ages 2-7)
*Most popular book!
A witch and her cat are flying on her broomstick. But the wind blows and she loses some of her belongings. With the help of new friends she gets them back. But will she have room on the broom to give them all a ride?
Room on the Broom is a fun story about friendship, inclusivity, and quick thinking.
8. Clifford’s Halloween: Classic Story Book (Ages 1-6)
*Sticker page in the back
Clifford fans will love this cute Halloween book. And it covers other holidays as well!
9. Curious George Halloween Boo Fest by H.A. Rey (Ages 0-5)
The monkey fun has turned silly spooky in this retelling of PBS animated special, Curious George Halloween Boo Fest! George and his friends discover that shouting “BOO” and scaring each other is the most fun on Halloween! Littles will want to practice their best “boo” face, especially on the last page.
And don’t miss the special feature movie! (It’s been a favorite in our home for years)
10. Paw Patrol Halloween Heroes by Random House (Ages 1-4)
Join the Paw Patrol as they help keep the community safe when strange things start to happen on Halloween night. This colorful board book is perfect for our young heroes who want more treats than tricks.
11. Llama Llama Trick or Treat by Anna Dewdny (Ages 1-3)
Read this special Llama Llama board book all about llama’s favorite Halloween adventures. Watch as he finds the perfect costume, visits the pumpkin patch, and enjoys a night of trick or treating.
12. Don’t Push the Button: A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter (Ages 2-5)
If you love the original Don’t Push the Button (my kids sure do), then you’re in for a treat!
What will Larry do when he sees the scary house on Halloween? (Probably push the button!)
13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy-Crawly Halloween by Eric Carle (Ages 2-5)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is back again as he explores the woods and the creatures that hide in the dark. Little ones will have big fun with lift-the-a-flaps in this creepy crawly adventure.
14. Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan by Catherine Hapka (Ages 2-4)
*More than 30 themed stickers!
Splat is ready to find the biggest pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. But when he does, he realizes that the real challenge is whether he can get it home…
15. Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell (Ages 2-5)
*Our Family’s #1 favorite Halloween Book!
This book is adorable, and an exciting way to get kids counting! Watch as one scary witch scares all the ghosts out of their house. Until all ten ghosts band together to give her a scare she’ll never forget!
16. The Best Halloween Hunt Ever (Ages 2-4)
*My older kids love this book too!
Don’t miss this creative seek and find book! Find the objects hidden within the festive pages of Halloween fun.
Related: Fun Halloween Scavenger Hunt
17. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat by Lucille Colandro (Ages 3-6)
A silly spooky version of the classic song There Was an Old Lady. Your brave readers will laugh as they follow along with all the things the lady is able to swallow in this Halloween-themed story song.
18. Pete the Cat Trick or Treat by Kimberly and James Dean (Ages 2-5)
*New York Times Best Selling Author
Pete loves Halloween, candy, and trick-or-treating with friends. But he does not like any scary surprises. Hopefully, there’s nothing scary behind the doors of this lift-the-flaps adventure!
19. At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman (Ages 2-5)
Find all kinds of Halloween creatures in this spooky haunted house. Kids delight in counting the spooky creatures and the book culminates in one unforgettable Halloween party.
At the old haunted house
At the Old Haunted House
In a room with no sun
Lived a warty green witch
And her wee witchy one.
20. Pinkalicious Pink or Treat by Victoria Kann (Ages 3-6)
*Includes stickers to decorate Pinkalicious’ town!
The storm has knocked out the town’s power, and now it looks like Halloween will be canceled. But not if this pink superhero has anything to do about it!
Watch as Pinkalicious uses her superhero costume and a little creativity to save the Halloween fun.
See this Fun Pinkalicious Halloween book >>
21. How to Catch a Monster by Adam Wallace (Ages 2-6)
*USA Today Best Seller
What will happen when our brave young ninja faces his fears and heads into the closet? Not what you’d expect! In fact, maybe he’ll even make a new friend. See How to Catch a Monster >>
22. Goodnight, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman (Ages 2-5)
*A new imaginative take on the bedtime routine
Discover this little monster’s strange bedtime routine. He enjoys drinking his beetle juice and howling at the moon while getting ready for bed. Sleep tight, little monster!
Related Post: Bedtime Stories To Help Kids Wind Down
23. Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever by Don Freeman (Ages 2-5)
The classic bear, Corduroy, is ready to enjoy his Halloween party with friends! But what will he wear as a costume? And will he decide in time? Follow along in this not-so-scary story.
24. I Spy Spooky Night: A Picture Book of Riddles by Jean Marzollo (Ages 4-9)
*NYT Bestselling Series
Kids love exploring the spooky picture pages as the tricky skeleton beckons them from page to page. The haunted house contains 13 pages of frightening fun photographs. Can they solve each mysterious riddle?
Finding the objects may be harder than you think, so beware!
25. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Kara McMahon, Charles M. Schulz , et al. (Ages 3-6)
Enjoy the retelling of this classic Halloween special with Charlie and the gang! Will this finally be the year that Linus sees the great pumpkin rise? It’s a colorful storybook with an embossed cover.
26. Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell: Kids Halloween Books(Ages 3-7)
*Teachers’ Pick
Tim watched as his pumpkin, named Jack, began to rot in the garden after Halloween. By spring, a plant was growing in his place! Pumpkin Jack takes a festive look at the cycle of life.
27. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman (Ages 3-7)
*Teachers’ Pick
“A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book.”
This witch has grown the biggest pumpkin and wants to make pumpkin pie. But she can’t move it, not even with the help of a ghost, vampire, or mummy.
Except, the small little bat has a big idea…” See Big Pumpkin here.
28. The Good, The Bad, And the Spooky by Jory John (Ages 4-6)
*New York Times Best Seller
This spooky take on the original series is fun for everyone! Follow along as Bad Seed tries to find the perfect costume. Can he find one in time, or will our favorite seed return to his baaaad ways?
29. The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason (Ages 3-7)
*A great book about being different
Ghosts are supposed to be white sheets, and as light as air. But this little ghost is a quilt. And he doesn’t know why. He feels sad and left out. Until one Halloween, our ghost has a wonderful experience that he could only have….because he’s a quilt.
See the Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt here >>
30. The Witch’s Cat and the Cooking Catastrophe by Kirstie Watson (Ages 4-7)
*A Fantastical Tale of Magic, Mischief, and Mishap!
With the witch gone, her cat is determined to cook a fantastical lunch for her. But it turns into a hilarious adventure when the cat overlooks some important cooking details.
How bad could it get? See it here.
31. Bonapart Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler and Will Terry (Ages 3-7)
*This book will make you laugh
In this clever book, we find a skeleton who is falling to pieces. Literally. Even trying to play catch has his arm flying away. He needs a little help “pulling himself together.” Will his friends be able to help?
See Bonapart Falls Apart here >>
32. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D Williams (4-8)
A spooky fun Halloween story that’s best to be read aloud to little goblins and ghouls! There was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything until she heard clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap!
33. The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan Berenstain (Ages 4-8)
*Kids Halloween classic books
Brother and Sister go out trick or treating with friends on Halloween night. But things don’t quite go as planned when there’s more trick than treat.
This book is a true treat to read as a family. The bears learn how to be good friends and neighbors.
34. The Nightmare Before Christmas Golden Books (5-8)
*Disney Classic
Jack is the king of Halloween Town but when he discovers Christmas Town he comes up with a plan to take over the jolly holiday. Can the Scare King handle this new role and what will happen to Halloween Town? Find out here.
*These books are great to add to your special Ultimate Halloween Bucket List
Halloween Story Books For Older Kids
As kids grow, they’re looking for more adventurous stories. These kids Halloween books are great for mid to upper elementary school students and middle schoolers. They’ll keep them coming back for more.
35. Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett (Ages 8-12)
Follow along on the adventures of nine-year-old Minx, a young witch, as she sneaks off to school with mere mortals (humans).
For over 60 years this classic fantasy story has been exciting new readers with this magical story.
36. Weird But True Halloween: 300 Spooky Facts to Scare You Silly by Julie Beer & Michelle Harris (Ages 8-12)
*Crazy popular!
From the popular Weird But True! line arrives freaky fun facts about Halloween! Learn new tidbits and trivia about costumes, candy, pumpkins, and more. This book can make a fun family game night at home!
Related: Trivia Questions For Halloween
37. The Witches by Roald Dahl (Ages 7-10)
*Teachers’ Pick
This is a story about real witches.
Listen closely as Grandmama fills you in on the secrets of witches and their dislike for little children. A fun story to read as a family and then turn it into movie night with the motion picture!
38. Night of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine (Classic Goosebumps #1) (Ages 8-12)
*One of the best selling childrens’ books of all time!
Start from the creepy beginning in this bone-chilling original. Lindy finds a ventriloquist dummy and has a lot of fun with him. Until unusual things start to happen. Maybe it’s a coincidence or maybe it’s Slappy.
39. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Series by Alvin Schwartz (Ages 8-12)
Will you be brave enough to tell these stories in the dark?
A childhood favorite of mine, these classic scare stories include American folklore, supernatural events, and more in many frightening tales. The eerie illustrations will give you just as many heebie-jeebies as the stories!
See the Scary Stories collection here >>
40. Best Kids Halloween Jokes Ever (Ages 6-9)
Halloween reading doesn’t have to be serious! Enjoy this special Halloween joke book together, while you laugh over witches, goblins, and ghosts.
Related:
41. True Ghost Stories for Kids: Fifty Spine-Tingling Ghostly Tales by Barbara Smith (Ages 8-12)
Huddle under the covers or gather around a campfire to let your kids tell these creepy and spooky stories. You’ll have goosebumps and your kids will delight in the haunted tales.
42. Summer of the Woods by Steven K. Smith (Ages 7-10)
*Fast-paced adventure and mystery chapter book
Even reluctant readers love the mystery and adventures found within this series. When two kids move to Virginia, they explore their old house and surrounding woods. What they find has them searching caves, running from danger, and exploring hidden passageways.
43. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (Ages 7+)
While this isn’t about Halloween, it’s a world of witches, monsters, and many of the creatures we love in this spooky season. If there’s ever a great time to get kids hooked on this magical adventure, this is it!
See Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone here >>
Related:
44. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill (Ages 8-12)
*Newberry Medal Award Winner
In this creative fantasy story, the forest witch Xan accidentally feeds a baby moonlight instead of starlight on the way to delivering her to a family.
The baby is filled with extraordinary magic, and so the witch names her Luna and realizes she must raise her as her own. But as Luna approaches her thirteenth birthday, her magic begins to emerge just as danger and uncertainty come from all corners.
45. Case Closed: Mystery in the Mansion by Laura Magaziner (Ages 7-10)
*Unique pick your path kids Halloween book
Case Closed is a fun puzzle book where the reader helps Carlos put together the clues to save his mom. In this unique thriller, YOU pick which suspects to talk to and which path to follow. Good luck cracking the case!
More Halloween Fun:
Halloween Books For Young Adults
Teens will love these creepy and fantastical adventures.
Note: The YA Halloween books in this section are made for teenagers. Therefore, the content is scarier (and more complex) and not meant for kids under 12. Use your own judgment.
46. White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
*Best Young Adult – Multiple Award Winner
A modern take on the classic haunted house tale. You’ll love this psychological thriller.
Marigold is running from the ghosts of her old life, but when she moves to the midwest it’s a fresh start. Her mom accepts a job that allows them to live in a free house. But Marigold quickly finds that this renovated house is coming to life in strange, and unexpected ways.
Will Marigold uncover its secrets? Before it’s too late?
47. House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig (Ages 12+)
*NYT Best Seller – Editor’s Pick YA
Once there were twelve sisters growing up in a quaint house. But a curse stalks them, taking the sisters away from each other.
Now that four sisters’ lives have been cut short, Annaleigh realizes that their deaths were no accident. And she must race to unravel the curse before it’s too late.
48. Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
*Graphic novel YA book
Every fall, teens Deja and Josiah have worked together in the local pumpkin patch. But now they’re seniors, and it’s time for their last shift together. Read as Deja and Josiah decide to make their last night a big adventure.
Pumpkinheads is great if you’re looking for Halloween book that’s not so creepy!
49. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Ages 12-17)
Rory (a teen from Lousiana) arrives in London looking for a fresh start. But a series of brutal deaths occur the same day. Even worse, she’s the only one who’s seen the prime suspect. Rory’s now his next target.
This is an edge of your seat thriller with lots of unexpected twists and turns!
50. Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus
*”Must-read YA thriller”
Ellery is moving to small town America to live with her grandmother. And while the town is picture-perfect, she soon realizes that it’s hiding many secrets. Before school even starts, a girl goes missing. And Ellery finds that some secrets are hard to stay hidden.
See Two Can Keep a Secret here >>
51. Asylum by Madeleine Roux (Ages 14-17)
*#NYT Best Seller
Dan comes to New Hampshire College Prep excited for the chance of a lifetime. But when their usual summer housing is closed, they have to stay in a sanitorium. He quickly finds that it’s an old asylum for the criminally insane.
And there are many secrets lurking in the shadows, refusing to stay buried.
Find Asylum here >>
52. Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
*#NYT Best Seller
Audrey rose is supposed to be socializing with the ladies and learning high society. But she sneaks into her uncle’s lab every day to study forensic science instead.
Until one day, her work on savagely maimed corpses leads her into an investigation of a serial killer. And it’s closer to home than you’d think.
53. Escape Room by Maren Stoffels (Ages 12+)
A night of fun in an escape room goes terribly wrong for this group of teens. The game master has no intention of letting them out. And the stakes have become all too real.
See Escape Room here.
54. Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children by Ranson Riggs (Ages 12+)
A horrific tragedy leads Jacob to a remote island. There, he discovers the crumbling ruins of an old orphanage. But as he explores, he realizes that the children in this home were more than peculiar. And they may still be alive…
55. A Deal With the Elf King: Married to Magic by Elise Kova
*#1 Best Seller in Teen and Young Adult Sword & Sorcery Fantasy
If you’re into less horror and more magical for Halloween, this book series is for you.
To be chosen to marry an elf king is the mark of death in Luella’s town. And she’s avoided this mark. Until one day the elf king comes for her. But once she’s in the elf world, Luella learns of unexpected strength, love, and a world that only she can save.
See Deal With the Elf King here >>
Related: Halloween Movie Trivia
Bonus: New Releases in Halloween Books
First, check out these 5 new and bestselling Halloween books for all ages!
1. Creepy Crayon by Aaron Reynolds (Ages 4-7)
#1 New York Times Bestseller
If you liked Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Pair of Underwear! you will love this next creepy tales book.
Jasper Rabbit has found a crayon that is helping him on his school work. But soon, it trys to take over Jasper Rabbit’s life!
2. A Spoonful of Frogs by Casey Lyall (Ages 4-8)
*Caldecott honor-winning illustrator
Witches love frog soup. There’s just one problem. Keeping the frogs on the spoon!
Readers will love this fun and laughable picture book!
3. Construction Site Gets a Fright!: A Halloween Lift-the-Flap-Book (Ages 2-4)
*Bestselling series
Ride along with the trucks on the construction site as they discover that the things they think are spooky are actually silly surprises.
Grab this book in this popular series here!
4. A Super Scary Narwhalloween by Ben Clanton (Ages 6-9)
*Book 8 of A Narwhal and Jelly Series
Narwhal loves Halloween and dressing up, but Jelly is a little scared of it all. When a scary sea monster appears and swallows Narwahl, Jelly will have to help save his best friend!
Find out if Jelly will have the courage needed in this book!
5. Hocus Pocus by A.W. Jantha (Ages 6+)
*New York Times Bestseller
Readers of all ages delight in the story of the Sanderson Sisters through this illustrated Novelization of the popular Hocus Pocus.
Grab your copy and then don’t miss out on our Hocus Pocus Trivia Questions!
Free Printable List of Halloween Books For Kids
To Consider With Kids Halloween Books
Whether you need not-so-scary fun, or a little thriller this Halloween, we’ve got you covered. What are your favorite Halloween books for kids?
And if you need a little motivation to get reading, check out these stunning reading statistics in America.
Also, grab some more fall books for kids to cozy up with during this season!
More Books For Kids You’ll Love…
- Best Books For 10 Year Olds to Read
- Good 3 Year Old Books to Read
- Kids Books That Teach Kindness (For All Ages)