Halloween Books for Kids

Halloween Books for Preschool Kids

Are you looking for Halloween books to read aloud to your Preschool or Pre-K class? When it comes to a Halloween theme, selecting the right books can be a bit “tricky.” This book list features some of my favorite Halloween picture books for young children that aren’t scary.

Halloween Books for Preschoolers

The Best Halloween Books for Kids

The best high-quality picture books not only capture the attention of the audience through the illustrations and text, but also provide a variety of opportunities for young children to develop important emergent literacy skills such as rhyming, concepts of print, alliteration and many more.

All too often, books are chosen because of the character on the cover instead of the content on the pages.  Some of these Halloween books for kids on this list were written by notable children’s authors known for their high-quality content.

Check out these Halloween books for kids!

Halloween Picture Books for Kids

Halloween Picture Books for Kids

  • 10 Trick-or-Treaters, by Janet Schulman
    You can count on this book for delightful trick-or-treating adventures as they practice counting spooky creatures from ten to one.
  • Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete, by James and Kimberly Dean
    Trick-or-treating has never been more fun with Pete the Cat and his friends in this fun flap book.
  • Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett
    A beautifully illustrated book with a diverse cast of characters who come together to celebrate Halloween.
  • Don’t Push the Button! A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter
    I mean, it! Don’t you dare! Children everywhere will squeal with delight when reading this fun and spooky interactive book about Halloween.

Halloween Books for Preschoolers

  • The Halloween Tree, by Susan Montanari
    A festive Halloween tale with a sweet message of acceptance in a fun and spooky way.
  • Boo to You! by Lois Ehlert
    Lois Ehlert is the author and illustrator of many bestselling children’s books. This non-scary book features Ehlert’s unique mixed-media collage style art to capture the attention of your little ghouls and goblins. Skills: Rhyming, Point of View (mice vs. cat)
  • The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams
    Young children love to retell this classic tale and sequence the events in order. This is one book your kids will beg you to read over and over again!
    Skills: Predictions, Sequencing, Retelling, Vocabulary, Oral Language Development
  • There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro

Ultimate List of Halloween Books for Preschool

  • Creepy Carrots, by Aaron Reynolds
    Age-appropriate comic relief allays children’s fears in this hilarious holiday book.
  • Click, Clack, Boo! by Doreen Cronin and Besy Lewin
    Farmer Brown’s barnyard animals are back for another fun and frolicking farm adventure in this popular series!
  • The Spooky Wheels on the Bus, by J. Elizabeth Mills
    Your class will adore singing along with this silly and spooky rendition of the classic song.

The Best Halloween Books for Preschoolers

  • The Wheels on the Bus at Halloween, by Sarah Kieley
    Another clever take on this classic preschool favorite.
  • The I’M NOT SCARED Book, by Todd Parr
    In his unique fun and playful style, author Todd Parr helps children overcome their fears.
  • Where’s My Mummy? by by Carolyn Crimi
    Your little ones will easily relate to this gently spooky book about a little mummy who can’t find his Mama Mummy.
  • Spooky Hour, by Tony Mitton
    If you have any October birthdays in your classroom, this tale of a spooky birthday party will be a smash hit!

Halloween Picture Books for Kids

Halloween Books for Little Learners

  • Moonlight the Halloween Cat, by Cynthia Rylant
    Your little cat lovers will adore this picture book from an award winning author that offers a cat’s eye view of Halloween.
    Skills: Rhyming, Vocabulary, Inferences, Perspective
  • Snowmen at Halloween, by Caralyn M. Buehner
    If you liked Snowmen at Night, then you’ll love this Halloween version!

Check out this research-based, playful learning unit in our curriculum shop!

collection of Halloween product covers in grid
Preview in the Shop

Halloween Bundle

The Halloween Bundle includes 16 of our most popular preschool resources, including math and literacy small group activities, fine motor...

Books About Halloween for Preschool

Books About Ghosts for Preschoolers

These non-scary books about ghosts are perfect for preschool!

  • The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! by Elaine Bickell
    Will you help The Little Ghost find her lost Boo? Young readers will enjoy this not so spooky tale about a friendly little ghost.
  • Little Boo, by Stephen Wunderli
    Young children will definitely relate to this gentle tale that recounts the life cycle of a pumpkin seed and also serves as a metaphor for growing up.
    Skills: Life Cycles, Patience
  • Ten Timid Ghosts, by Jennifer O’Connell
    The rhythmic text in this fun and playful counting book will encourage your kids to read along.
  • We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt, by by Susan Pearson
    A fun and slightly spooky twist to the familiar chant We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Your students will love following along as the children search for a ghost.
  • Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara

Books About Haunted Houses

While you may or may not be a fan of real haunted houses, these haunted house themed books won’t scare your pants off.

  • At the Old Haunted House, by Helen Ketteman
    Count along with these silly witches, monsters, and goblins as they get ready for a delightfully ghoulish celebration.
  • In the Haunted House, by Eve Bunting
    While this light-hearted lift-the-flap book is no longer being sold on Amazon, it’s worth a peek at ThriftBooks or your local library to snag a copy.
  • Splat the Cat: What Was That? by Rob Scotton
    Join fun Splat the Cat and his friends in this interactive, lift-the-flap book as they explore a spooky haunted house on Halloween.
  • Who Will Haunt My House on Halloween? by Jerry Pallotta
    This book is part of the popular “Who Will…” series. The vibrant, detailed illustrations that completely fill the pages are captivating. Your kids will love searching for the mouse and cat hiding within the book on certain pages. Skills: Sequencing (who rings the doorbell first, second etc.)

Books About Witches

You’ll fall under the spell of these two fun books featuring witches!

  • How to Catch a Witch, by Alice Walstead
    This book is part of the hilariously popular “How to Catch a…” series. Your kids will laugh their way through this silly spooky story about a group of children who set out to catch a witch and save all of their town’s Halloween candy supply from the witch and her creepy friends!
  • Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
    Run, don’t walk to your nearest library to secure your copy of this must-read Halloween classic! This sweet story about diversity, making new friends, and helping others is a must-read in every early childhood classroom.

Books About Skeletons

These skeleton books will definitely not leave you feeling rattled!

  • Skeleton Meets the Mummy, by Steve Metzger
    Vibrant illustrations tell the spooky tale of little Sammy and the different creatures he encounters along the way on his journey through the woods.
  • Dem Bones, by Bob Barner
    Based on the classic African-American spiritual Dem Bones, this book combines a rhythmic chant with Barner’s signature torn paper collages. If the lesson about the bones of the skeleton are beyond your kids, the illustrations and the rhythm of the main text is more than enough to keep them engaged. Skills: Rhyme/Rhythm, Fluency, Vocabulary, Oral Language Development, Author’s Purpose (entertain and teach), Science (anatomy)
  • Skeleton for Dinner, by Margery Cuyler
  • Halloween Hustle, by Charlotte Gunnufson
  • Skeleton Hiccups, by Margery Cuyler
    Not your typical Halloween book, your littles will laugh themselves silly as they try to get rid of the hiccups.

Halloween Books About Pumpkins

  • Big Pumpkin, by Erica Silverman
    A Halloween version of the cumulative Russian folktale, The Turnip, this Halloween version is big fun! The characters in this story work together to pull a pumpkin off the vine. This book would make a wonderful addition to any classroom library. After reading the story, make pumpkin pie with your children.
    Skills: Rhythm, Repetition, Sharing, Teamwork
  • Five Little Pumpkins, by Dan Yaccarino
    Invite your children to act out this classic Halloween rhyme using their hands and fingers and you’re sure to capture their attention! Skills: Rhyming, Fine Motor Skills, Oral Language Development, Vocabulary
  • The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin, by Joe Troiano
    This is a fall-favorite among teachers and students alike teaches kindness and acceptance.
  • Pick a Pumpkin, by Patricia Toht
  • Pumpkin Jack, by Will Hubbell
    Perfect for learning about the life-cycle of a pumpkin.
  • Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins, by James and Kimberly Dean
  • The Runaway Pumpkin, by Kevin and Keith Lewis
    Your students will be on the edge of their seats as they follow along in this rollicking tale about a runaway pumpkin.
  • Pumpkin Eye, by Denise Fleming
    From award winning children’s author and illustrator Denise Fleming, this pairs rhyming verse with creative images hand crafted from paper in her book Pumpkin Eye. Told from the perspective of the pumpkin on Halloween night, the author uses carefully crafted rhymes that encourage the reader to make inferences throughout the story. Skills: Rhyming, Vocabulary, Inferences, Perspective

More Halloween Ideas

  • 5 Little Pumpkins Halloween Sensory Bin – Your little learners will have a blast retelling the rhyme Five Little Pumpkins with this Halloween themed sensory bin! They’ll be developing their fine motor and oral language skills as they retell the rhyme.  Setting up this sensory bin experience at home or in your preschool classroom is super simple and loads of fun!
  • Halloween Sensory Bin with Spaghetti – Need Halloween sensory play ideas for your preschool classroom? You can make this easy colored spaghetti for a super fun Halloween themed sensory bin. This squishy Halloween sensory spaghetti is sure to be a big hit with your kids!
  • Halloween Sensory Bottle – Halloween can be loads of fun in the classroom with all the cute crafts and activities. Here’s a super quick and easy Halloween sensory bottle you can make to help kids who may become overstimulated by all the activity in the classroom during this time of year.
  • Halloween Fine Motor Activities for Preschool – Kids can use fine motor skills all day, but doing the same thing over and over can cause children to lose interest. These activities are fun experiences for October that will help build fine motor skills. These are perfect for a fall theme or Halloween theme. And, since many of the items are from the dollar store, you can stock up your morning work baskets or centers.
Halloween Books for Preschool Kids
Halloween Activities for Preschoolers
a round tray filled with orange play dough and accessories
purple, green, and orange cooked spaghetti dyed with liquid watercolors
a water bottle filled with orange water beads. The bottle has a jack o lantern face on the front.
mini pumpkin candy buckets in a bin of black beans
bow tie pasta dyed black in a bin of orange rice
Five Pumpkins Printable