Halloween books for kids are a fun way to bring some extra excitement to reading during October. Between pumpkins, costumes, trick-or-treating, ghosts, witches, and silly monsters, Halloween gives children plenty of reasons to pick up a book.
Not every child wants a genuinely scary story, either. Some kids love spooky books, while others would much rather read about friendly ghosts, funny monsters, or a pumpkin patch. Luckily, there are plenty of Halloween stories that fall somewhere between completely silly and genuinely spooky.
This list includes classic Halloween favorites, funny picture books, gentle spooky stories, and newer Halloween books from 2026. Whether you are looking for a bedtime read, a classroom read-aloud, or a book to get your child excited about October, there should be something here to try.
What Makes a Good Halloween Book for Kids?
A good Halloween book does not necessarily need to be scary.
For younger children, a book about costumes, pumpkins, friendly ghosts, or silly monsters may be more enjoyable than a story designed to frighten them. Older elementary readers may be ready for more suspense or spooky themes.
It also helps to think about what your child already enjoys. A child who loves funny stories might enjoy a Halloween book with lots of silly moments. A child who loves animals might prefer a story about a cat, dog, bat, or another Halloween creature.
There is no single right level of spooky for every child. The goal is to find a book that makes Halloween reading feel fun.
15 Halloween Books for Kids to Read This October
1. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Room on the Broom is a Halloween-season favorite for children who enjoy rhyming stories, witches, and a little adventure.
The story follows a witch and her cat as they travel on a broomstick. Along the way, several animals join them after helping the witch recover things she has lost.
The rhyming text makes this an especially fun book to read aloud. Children can also enjoy the repetition and predict what might happen next.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Rhymes, animals, a witch, and a fun adventure
2. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
This classic is a great choice for children who enjoy repetition and a story that builds toward a funny ending.
A little old lady encounters several spooky objects while walking through the woods. Each one becomes part of the repeated pattern of the story, making it easy for children to join in while you read.
It can also be a fun choice for practicing expressive reading because different parts of the story lend themselves to different voices and sounds.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Repetition, silly spooky characters, and participation
3. The Haunted Playground by R. J. Palacio
One of the newer Halloween picture books worth checking out this year is The Haunted Playground by R. J. Palacio, illustrated by Brett Helquist.
The book follows ghosts who gather at a playground after Halloween night. Instead of spending the night frightening people, the ghosts come together to play. Two human children eventually discover what is happening.
The book was published in July 2026 and is aimed at ages 4–8. It is a particularly good option for children who like the idea of ghosts but do not necessarily want a frightening Halloween story.
Best for: Ages 4–8
Why kids may like it: Ghosts, a playground, nighttime adventure, and playful Halloween fun
4. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
Big Pumpkin is a fun Halloween story built around one very large pumpkin that is not exactly easy to move.
Several characters try to figure out how to get the pumpkin where they want it to go. The repeated attempts and escalating problem make the story entertaining for young children.
It also creates an easy opportunity to talk about teamwork. Sometimes the characters cannot solve the problem by themselves, but working together changes things.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Pumpkins, Halloween characters, repetition, and teamwork
5. The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
If your child prefers funny books to spooky ones, The Hallo-Wiener is an excellent Halloween choice.
The story follows Oscar, a dachshund who feels different from the other dogs because of his appearance. Halloween gives him an opportunity to show some courage while dealing with teasing from others.
The humor makes the story approachable, while the Halloween setting gives it plenty of seasonal appeal.
Best for: Early elementary readers
Why kids may like it: Humor, dogs, costumes, and a relatable character
6. Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin
Fans of the Click, Clack books may enjoy seeing the familiar farm animals celebrate Halloween in Click, Clack, Boo!
The animals have costumes, Halloween decorations, and their own ideas about how the holiday should go. As with other books in the series, the humor comes from seeing the animals behave in very human ways.
This is another good option if you want a Halloween story that feels more funny than frightening.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Farm animals, Halloween costumes, and humor
7. Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
Goodnight Goon puts a Halloween twist on the familiar bedtime-book format.
Instead of a quiet room full of ordinary bedtime objects, children encounter a much more Halloween-themed setting filled with spooky characters and silly details.
The predictable structure makes it especially useful for younger children who enjoy books they can participate in. It can also make a fun Halloween bedtime read without becoming a genuinely scary story.
Best for: Preschool and younger elementary readers
Why kids may like it: Monsters, rhymes, repetition, and a familiar bedtime format
8. Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete by James Dean
Pete the Cat fans can bring their favorite character into Halloween season with this story.
Our favorite cat goes trick-or-treating and encounters different Halloween surprises along the way. The familiar character and straightforward story make this a comfortable choice for younger children who already enjoy Pete the Cat books.
For a child who is still getting used to Halloween themes, familiar characters can make seasonal reading feel less intimidating.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Pete the Cat, costumes, trick-or-treating, and repetition
9. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills
If your child already enjoys The Wheels on the Bus, a Halloween version can be an easy way to make a familiar story feel seasonal.
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus uses the recognizable song structure while adding Halloween characters and spooky details.
This is particularly useful for younger children because they can participate in the repeated lines instead of simply listening to the entire story.
Best for: Preschool and kindergarten
Why kids may like it: Singing, repetition, Halloween characters, and participation
10. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! by Lucille Colandro
Although this story is more broadly autumn-themed than strictly Halloween, it fits naturally into October reading.
The familiar There Was an Old Lady format makes it easy for children to follow along as the story becomes increasingly silly.
If you are looking for more seasonal books beyond Halloween itself, this is a nice one to pair with other fall reading. You can also check out our guide to fall books for kids for more autumn reading ideas.
Best for: Preschool through early elementary
Why kids may like it: Repetition, silly surprises, and an autumn setting
11. Frankenkitty by Maudie Powell-Tuck
For children who like monsters but still want something playful, Frankenkitty offers a cute twist on the Frankenstein idea.
The story centers on a stitched-together kitten living in a haunted castle. Despite the spooky setting, the book is designed as a funny and lively picture book rather than a frightening horror story.
It was published in July 2026 and is aimed at children ages 3–7.
Best for: Ages 3–7
Why kids may like it: Cats, monsters, a haunted castle, and silly spooky fun
12. Little Ghost Says Boo! by Sunita Nahar
For toddlers, Little Ghost Says Boo! is a newer Halloween board book to consider.
The story follows a little ghost who is excited about Halloween but cannot quite remember the right word to say. The book uses playful language and a gentle Halloween theme.
It was published in August 2026 for ages 0–3, making it one of the newest choices on this list for very young readers.
Best for: Babies and toddlers
Why kids may like it: A friendly ghost, simple story, and playful Halloween theme
13. Elephant & Piggie: Tricks and Treats! by Mo Willems Workshop
This one is a little different from the traditional storybooks on this list.
Elephant & Piggie: Tricks and Treats! is a Halloween-themed activity book featuring puzzles, games, crafts, costumes, and other activities with Elephant Gerald and Piggie.
It was published in July 2026 and is aimed at ages 4–8.
For children who enjoy doing something while they read, an activity book can be a nice change of pace. It also gives families another way to bring books into Halloween activities.
Best for: Ages 4–8
Why kids may like it: Elephant & Piggie, puzzles, crafts, costumes, and activities
14. Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
Pumpkin Jack is a particularly interesting choice because it connects Halloween with the natural world.
The story follows a pumpkin through the changing seasons and shows what happens after Halloween is over. That makes it more than just a Halloween story. It can also lead to conversations about seeds, plants, seasons, and the life cycle of a pumpkin.
For children who enjoy asking questions about how things work, this is a great book to pair with a little real-world exploration.
Best for: Preschool through elementary school
Why kids may like it: Pumpkins, Halloween, nature, and seasonal changes
15. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Creepy Carrots! is a funny, slightly spooky choice for children who enjoy stories with a little suspense.
Jasper Rabbit loves eating carrots from Crackenhopper Field. Eventually, he starts to wonder whether the carrots might be following him.
The story plays with the idea of something ordinary becoming unexpectedly spooky. That makes it a fun October read for children who want something a little creepier without moving into genuinely scary territory.
Best for: Early elementary readers
Why kids may like it: Humor, suspense, carrots, and a silly spooky premise
How to Choose Halloween Books for Kids
With so many Halloween books available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
The first thing to consider when choosing Halloween books for kids is your child’s age and reading ability. A board book may be perfect for a toddler, while an older elementary reader may be ready for a longer spooky story.
You should also consider how much Halloween-themed suspense your child actually enjoys.
Some children think ghosts and monsters are hilarious. Others would rather stick with pumpkins, costumes, and silly animals. Neither preference is wrong.
Start With What Your Child Already Likes
A familiar character can make a seasonal book easier to choose. If your child already loves Pete the Cat, Elephant & Piggie, or another series, look for Halloween books featuring those characters.
The same idea works with subjects, too. A child who loves animals might prefer a Halloween story about cats, bats, or dogs.
Think About Reading Level
A Halloween book can be a great read-aloud even when it is too difficult for a child to read independently.
If you are looking for books your child can read alone, consider whether the vocabulary, sentence length, and amount of text are appropriate.
Our guide to the best books for beginning readers includes more suggestions for children who are developing independent reading skills.
You can also think about reading level separately from enjoyment. A book that is slightly too difficult for independent reading may still be an excellent choice to read together.
Do Not Assume Every Halloween Book Should Be Scary
This is probably the biggest thing to remember.
Halloween books for kids can be silly, cozy, funny, adventurous, mysterious, or spooky without being frightening.
In fact, some children may enjoy Halloween reading much more when the book focuses on costumes, pumpkins, friendship, or humor instead of trying to scare them.
If you are unsure how your child will react to a particular story, preview it first. You can also start with a gentler Halloween book and work toward spookier stories if your child enjoys them.
Make Halloween Reading More Fun
Once you have chosen a book, you do not need to do anything complicated to make the reading experience special.
Try reading the book with different voices. Pause before a funny moment. Let your child guess what will happen next.
You can also connect the book to something happening in your own home.
If you read a story about pumpkins, then you can visit a pumpkin patch. Or if the book involves costumes, talk about what your child wants to dress up as! Even if you read about ghosts or monsters, you can let your child draw their own silly Halloween character afterward.
Reading aloud is another easy way to make seasonal books more engaging. If you want more ideas for making storytime enjoyable, check out our guide to how to read aloud to kids.
You can even ask a few questions after the story. Try asking what your child liked, what surprised them, or which character they enjoyed most. Our guide to reading comprehension questions for kids has more ideas for keeping those conversations natural.
For more ideas about helping children develop strong reading habits, Reading Rockets also offers resources for parents and educators.
Halloween Books Can Become a Seasonal Reading Tradition
One of the best things about seasonal reading is that you do not need to read the same kinds of books all year.
October gives families an easy reason to bring out a different group of stories.
Maybe your child picks one Halloween book every night during the week leading up to Halloween. Or you can keep a basket of spooky picture books in the living room. You could also visit the library and let your child choose three new Halloween books.
There is no single right way to do it.
The important thing is that Halloween becomes another opportunity to show children that reading can be connected to things they are already excited about.
A child who is counting down the days until Halloween may be much more interested in picking up a book when that book is also about Halloween.
Final Thoughts
There are plenty of Halloween books for kids to choose from, whether your child loves ghosts and monsters or would rather stick with pumpkins and silly costumes. With so many Halloween books for kids available, you can easily find something that matches your child’s interests and comfort level.
Start with your child’s interests and think about how spooky they actually want their reading to be. Familiar characters can make a good starting point, while funny or gentle Halloween stories can be a great choice for children who do not enjoy being scared.
You can also use Halloween reading as an opportunity to read together, talk about stories, practice expressive reading, or connect books to real-world activities.
Most importantly, let Halloween reading be fun.
A silly monster story, a friendly ghost, a giant pumpkin, or a funny Halloween adventure can all give children another reason to pick up a book this October.
FAQ: Halloween Books for Kids
What are some good Halloween books for kids?
Some popular Halloween choices include Room on the Broom, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, Big Pumpkin, The Hallo-Wiener, Click, Clack, Boo!, Pumpkin Jack, and Creepy Carrots!. Newer 2026 options include The Haunted Playground, Frankenkitty, Little Ghost Says Boo!, and Elephant & Piggie: Tricks and Treats!.
What are good Halloween books for toddlers?
Toddlers may enjoy simple board books with friendly Halloween characters, repetition, and interactive elements. Little Ghost Says Boo! is a 2026 board book for ages 0–3, while The Spooky Wheels on the Bus can also work well for younger children who enjoy familiar songs and repeated phrases.
What are good Halloween books for kids who do not like scary stories?
Try books that focus on pumpkins, costumes, funny animals, or friendly ghosts rather than frightening scenes. The Haunted Playground is one newer option because its ghosts gather to play rather than frighten people. Room on the Broom and Big Pumpkin are also more playful than scary.
Are Halloween books good for reading aloud?
Yes. Halloween books can be especially fun read-alouds because many include repetition, rhyme, dialogue, sound effects, or funny characters. These features give children opportunities to participate and make it easier to use different voices and expressions.
Should Halloween books be scary?
No. Halloween books can be funny, cozy, adventurous, silly, or mildly spooky. The right choice depends on the child’s age, interests, and comfort level.
How can I make Halloween reading more fun?
Let your child choose some of the books, use different voices while reading, pause to make predictions, and connect the story to Halloween activities. You can also visit the library and let your child browse the Halloween section to discover something unexpected.
