I was the child who always carried a book around. Whether I was at a family function or the dinner table you best believe there was a book close by, just in case. My love of books followed me into adulthood, and although my Kindle has made life a little less cumbersome for my own personal reading, I’m constantly on the lookout for new titles.
Naturally, my love of reading has been a big component of my parenting and children’s books can be found in virtually every room of our house. I’ll use any excuse to buy more and get Christmas-morning excited when one of my favorite children’s authors has a new book out. I’m also one of the first to snatch the new books off the shelf of my library. Basically, what I’m saying is, children’s books are my kryptonite.
Over the years though, I’ve run into some duds. Let’s face it, there are a lot of children’s books out there. Some are fantastic while others make you question how they got published!
I’ve curated a list of fall and Halloween books approved by myself and my kiddos.
They’re a good combination of classic and modern stories sure to please a wide variety of children. I listed these books purposefully. Books geared toward toddlers are first while longer ones are toward the end. I will say though, my youngest has sat through all of these books starting around 2 years old so it’s more about how long a child is willing to sit and listen rather than age.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle
Little Blue Truck is an all-time favorite in our house so it’s no surprise we’re a fan of the Halloween version as well. This book steps it up a notch from the classic by including interactive flaps for kiddos to lift and reveal animals who are dressed up in costumes.
5 Little Pumpkins by Iris Van Rynbach
If you’re familiar with this little finger rhyme you’ll appreciate that it’s been made into a book! There are many versions of this classic rhyme but the one linked above is my favorite. My kids enjoy saying and singing this book. If we’re feeling super ambitious (and it’s dark enough) we’ll quickly click off the lights at the end to make it even spookier.
Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara
This is a quirky story about a little witch who moves into a haunted house. She’s had enough of the ghosts and sets about getting rid of them in somewhat of an unconventional way. I like how the author uses only three colors in the illustrations and also appreciate that this one is short and sweet!
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Imagine cows, ducks, and mice all made out of leaves! In this story, leaves have been transformed into an art medium and the author uses them to create illustrations. You’ll look at leaves in a whole new way after you read this!
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
This book has a similar concept to the popular book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt but it’s geared toward fall. A group of children set out hunting for leaves and meet a series of obstacles along the way. This is a great one to read right before taking a walk in the fall and also helps with basic leaf identification.
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
I first read this book a year ago and quickly fell in love with it. So did my kids! It’s one they repeatedly ask for even when it’s not fall. Bonus: if you’re an Amazon Prime member you can watch a short, animated version of it for a fun, not-too-spooky show around Halloween!
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
The little boy in this story is sad to see his carved pumpkin start to decompose. He places it in his yard and carefully checks on it throughout the winter and into the spring. To his surprise, something exciting happens that allows him to spread his joy to his friends. This is a great story with a gentle science lesson thrown in.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Anyone else remember this classic from your childhood? In this book, a woman goes out for a walk in the evening and is plagued by clothing that follow her. Although she claims she isn’t frightened, her walking pace quickly picks up the darker it gets. In the end, she faces her fear and learns that by doing so she doesn’t have to be afraid.
The Ghost Eye Tree by Bill Martin Jr.
If you’re ready to curl up and read a spooky book with your child this is a great choice. A pair of siblings have to face their fears as their imaginations run wild while taking a walk in the dark. Although it’s not exactly a Halloween book, it sure feels like one!
Spooky and the Ghost Cat by Natalie Savage Carlson
This book is part of a series about a black cat who has a series of escapades evading the clutches of a mean witch. While this gives a gentle nod to Halloween, it’s more about how clever Spooky is as he attempts to free his ghost-cat friend. This book is slightly spooky but not enough to give bad dreams at night!
Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo
A pet pig dressed up for Halloween? This early chapter book is sure to elicit some giggles from kids and grown-ups! Although this book is part of a series, you won’t be missing any key information if you read this as a stand-alone.
I would love to hear what your favorite fall and Halloween books are! Leave a comment so we can all add more great titles to our list!
