20 Best Halloween Books for Kids That Are Fun, Not Frightening
Cute, creepy, and just the right amount of silly for your little monsters.
Looking for Halloween books that bring the fun without the frights? These sweet, spooky reads are perfect for toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary kiddos.
From giggly ghosts to costume chaos, these 20 Halloween books for kids make October feel extra magical (and manageable at bedtime).
Just a little fine print 😉
Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means if you decide to grab a book or two, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That being said, I only share things we truly love around here 💛
1. Where’s My Mummy by Carolyn Crimi
Little Baby Mummy is supposed to be getting ready for bed…but instead, he’s playing a game of “hide and shriek” and wandering the dark in search of his Mama. Along the way, he bumps into all sorts of creatures. With fun rhymes, adorable illustrations, and a sweet twist at the end, this Halloween bedtime story is perfect for little ones who like their Halloween cute, not creepy.
2. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A friendly witch keeps making room on her broom for helpful animal friends, until things get a little crowded…and a dragon shows up! This rhyming adventure is full of friendship, bravery, and just the right amount of witchy fun.
3. Trick or Treat, Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
Crankenstein is not feeling the Halloween spirit. The costumes itch, the candy's not his favorite, and don’t even get him started on saying “trick or treat.” But just when it seems like the whole holiday is ruined, he meets another cranky creature who understands exactly how he feels. A great pick for kids who feel a little “meh” about all the Halloween hoopla.
4. Eek! Halloween! by Sandra Boynton
The chickens are nervous! Everyone’s wearing strange costumes and acting spooky. What is going on?! With classic Boynton humor, silly rhymes, and wide-eyed chicken expressions, this book is a not-so-spooky, giggle-worthy read that’s perfect for toddlers who are just getting into the Halloween spirit.
5. Franklin’s Halloween by Paulette Bourgeois
Franklin is so excited for the Halloween party: costumes, games, and a spooky haunted house! But when things get a little too spooky, Franklin (and a few friends) start to feel unsure. With its gentle dose of Halloween thrills and a sweet message about facing your fears, this cozy classic is perfect for kids who love Franklin.
6. Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell
When a bold little witch moves into their haunted house, ten timid ghosts get spooked right out, one by one! This fun, rhyming Halloween counting book is packed with playful illustrations, silly tricks, and just the right amount of Halloween mischief for preschoolers and early readers.
7. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Halloween Trick or Treat by Eric Carle
If your kids love The Very Hungry Caterpillar, they’ll be thrilled to follow him on a Halloween adventure! With colorful lift-the-flap pages, this cute Halloween board book takes little readers through pumpkins, costumes, and treats, all leading up to a surprise at the end. A fun intro to Halloween for the littlest bookworms.
8. The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky by Jory John
The Bad Seed is having a full-blown Halloween meltdown because nothing feels quite right for his costume. Sound familiar? This playful story taps into that all-too-relatable pressure to make everything “just right,” and reminds kids (and parents) that sometimes the best moments come when you stop trying so hard.
9. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots…until they start popping up where they shouldn’t be. This hilarious, spooky-but-not-scary story is a great Halloween picture book for kids who like their thrills with a side of laughs (and maybe veggies).
10. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
The little old lady is brave, very brave, until she takes a walk through the woods and hears some unexpected sounds. What follows is a fun and slightly spooky story full of sound effects, rhythm, and just the right amount of suspense. With its repetitive structure and interactive elements, this one is a guaranteed hit for storytime.
11. Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Bonaparte the skeleton is falling to pieces, literally! Luckily, his monster friends step in to help him pull it together just in time for school. A charming story of friendship and problem-solving with a Halloween twist.
12. There’s a Witch in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
A mischievous little witch has crash-landed right in the middle of your book, and it’s up to the reader to help get her out! This interactive Halloween book has kids tilting, shaking, spinning, and shouting their way through each page as they try to outsmart her spells. It’s a laugh-out-loud read that makes Halloween storytime totally hands-on.
13. Fright Club by Ethan Long
Fright Club is for serious monsters only, creepy, spooky, extra-scary types. But when a cheerful little bunny shows up wanting in, the monsters aren’t quite sure what to do. This clever, funny story flips expectations and shows that sometimes the most unexpected guests make the best additions to the party.
14. Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht
From the patch to the porch, this beautifully illustrated book takes readers through the whole pumpkin-carving process with cozy, rhyming charm. A festive celebration of all the little traditions that make Halloween night feel magical.
15. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle
It’s Halloween, and Little Blue Truck is on his way to a costume party, picking up all his friends along the way. With bouncy rhymes and lift-the-flap surprises, this cheerful read is perfect for younger kids who love guessing games, animal friends, and festive fun.
16. Turkey Trick or Treat by Wendi Silvano
Turkey and his barnyard buddies are back, and this time they’re on a mission to score some Halloween candy. But there’s a catch: animals aren’t allowed to trick-or-treat! With clever disguises, silly antics, and lots of laugh-out-loud moments, this one’s a perfect funny Halloween story for kids who love a little mischief with their Halloween fun.
17. Boo Who? by Ben Clanton
Boo is the new ghost in town, and making friends is tough, especially when you’re invisible. The other kids are playing games he can’t quite join…until they find one that’s just right for Boo. A sweet, funny story that’s perfect for little ones learning how to fit in and be themselves at the same time.
18. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
Leonardo wants to be scary, really scary, but he’s just... not. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t seem to frighten anyone. So he decides to be a different kind of monster instead. With classic Mo Willems charm, this story flips the Halloween script and celebrates kindness over creepiness.
19. Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
Gustavo loves playing the violin, floating through walls, and being a ghost, but making friends is terrifying. He’s shy, not scary, and no one really sees him. This beautifully illustrated story is sweet, heartfelt, and full of Halloween magic, perfect for any kid who’s ever felt a little invisible.
20. The Halloween Tree by Susan Montanari
All the trees in the lot are dreaming of tinsel, lights, and becoming someone’s perfect Christmas tree…except one crooked little tree who would much rather celebrate Halloween. This quirky, clever story is full of personality, with a main character who proves there’s more than one way to shine during the holiday season.
A Few Final Tricks (and Treats!)
Don’t be afraid to read these all October long (and into November…we won’t tell)
Keep a Halloween basket of books near your fall decor to encourage spontaneous storytime.
Pair a book with a themed snack (Pumpkin muffins + Pick a Pumpkin? Yes please!)
Let your kids “dress up” their stuffed animals for storytime to add extra magic.
Whether you’ve got a brave little bat or a nervous little nugget who’s still on the fence about skeletons, these kids’ books about Halloween are a great way to celebrate!
