There can never be too many Halloween books! Check out these recently reviewed board books and picture books to round out Halloween displays and programs. 

There can never be too many Halloween books! We showcased 31 titles for Summerween in July. Check out these recently reviewed board books and picture books to round out Halloween displays and programs. 

 

Board Books

Goodnight, Broom: A Spine-Tingling Spoof by Deb Adamson. illus. by Ma Pe. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 9780593753644.
PreS-K–Margaret Wise Brown’s classic Goodnight Moon has been touched by the Halloween spirit in this jewel-toned board book about a wee witch’s goodnight routine. Adamson stays true to the many elements of the original while adding a spooky flair with brooms, cats, cauldrons, googly eyes, and more. The rhyme, rhythm, and onomatopoeia give a clear flow and movement to the wee witch’s nighttime ritual. The jewel-tone color choice is representative of the modern palette now used during Halloween with purple, teal, pink, and gold. VERDICT A clever retelling of a classic that has a place in all libraries.

Hap-Pea Halloween by Keith Baker. illus. by author. S. & S./Beach Lane. ISBN 9781665940269.
PreS-Gr 1–Eschewing the bright colors on white backgrounds from earlier books in the “Peas” series, Baker takes full advantage of the October mood of Halloween, using black backgrounds and copious amounts of orange to distinguish this title. VERDICT Offer this fun title to inspire and support the inevitable conversation about what to be for Halloween.

Hairy Scary Halloween: With a Surprise Mirror! by Becky Davies. illus. by Laura Deo. Tiger Tales. ISBN 9781664351691.
Baby-Toddler–A perfect Fall book for little ones that sports interactive elements, bright colors, and silly characters. A cute mouse hair stylist, whose shop is prepared for the full salon experience, styles fluorescent lime-colored hair in different ways for different Halloween creatures. Young kids will love the chance to touch and style the faux hair, while also getting a chance to be part of the story themselves. Parents and educators can capitalize on the great rhyming text featured and the wide array of characters in this bright and silly board book. VERDICT A fresh take on a touch-and-feel book that brings the Halloween spirit.

If You’re Spooky and You Know It (A Pumpkin-Shaped Novelty Board Book for Toddlers) by Aly Fronis. illus. by Jannie Ho. little bee. ISBN 9781499818383. 
Baby-PreS–This Halloween-themed sing-along pairs spooky adjectives with familiar actions in a playful twist on the classic children’s song. From jumping werewolves to clapping skeletons, each spread invites little ones to move, giggle, and repeat. While the text rides the line between song lyrics and story script, the rhythmic repetition and simple call-and-response format make this a familiar fit for group settings. VERDICT A seasonal crowd-pleaser for the shelves, best suited for libraries looking to boost their Halloween board book offerings.

The Great Big Halloween Hunt. Nosy Crow. ISBN 9798887771632.
Baby-PreS–It’s time for a great big Halloween hunt! Witch is hosting a spooky party complete with potions, friends, and the sights of Halloween. This lift-the-flap board book has multiple flaps on each spread. The illustrations are bright, colorful, and friendly, creating the perfect introduction to Halloween for young readers. VERDICT This cute and friendly introduction to Halloween makes this a great addition to most collections.

Ha Ha Halloween! A Lift-the-Flap Joke Book! by Jil Howarth. illus. by author. Grosset & Dunlap. ISBN 9780593888605.
PreS-Gr 2–Children will be drawn into this interactive book by rhyming text paired with Halloween jokes. Each page displays an adorable take on spooky characters like Frankenstein, mummies, and vampires. VERDICT Games on every page make this a fun independent book for younger readers, while the jokes and succinct text create an entertaining read-aloud for teachers or parents.

 

Picture Books

Little Ghost House Hunts by Lucy Branam. illus. by Natalie Hoopes. Sleeping Bear. ISBN 9781534113138. 
PreS-Gr 1–A lovely, unique story about a ghost who just wants some peace and quiet. Little Ghost is tired of living with his very loud family where he has no quiet place to practice his boos and read scary stories. So, off he goes to find a quiet house to haunt—except it’s Halloween, and everyone thinks he’s just trick-or-treating. When he finally does find a quiet house, Little Ghost starts to realize that maybe it’s too quiet. VERDICT A great fall and Halloween read aloud that is not scary but sure to be entertaining. This will put little readers into the spooky spirit.

Leonard Builds a Haunted House by Mike Ciccotello. illus. by author. Farrar. ISBN 9780374392444.
K-Gr 3–A delightful tale that celebrates individuality and staying true to oneself, even when others don’t quite understand. Leonard and his ghostly family are a typical spooky bunch, living in a haunted house until the town decides to demolish it to make room for a fun plex. Rather than mourning, Leonard gets to work: he finds a new plot, researches construction, and begins to build a new home. VERDICT A fun, feel-good story about self-expression with a spooky twist, perfect all year around or the Halloween shelves, even though the holiday isn’t named.

The Gingerbread Monster by Dan Gemeinhart. illus. by Hugo L. Cuellar. Holt. ISBN 9781250892256.
K-Gr 5–This clever and silly retelling of a classic tale delivers laugh-out-loud fun. Young Frank N. Stine wants to satisfy his sweet tooth. Running low on his favorite cookie mix, he improvises with extra ingredients, only to create something unexpected: a monstrous cookie come to life! VERDICT A fresh, funny tale that’s sure to engage readers and bring a modern twist to collections.

Stop That Witch! by Alastair Heim. illus. by Migy Blanco. Tiger Tales. ISBN 9781664300699.
PreS-Gr 3–Readers join Detective Cluehound, an anthropomorphic hound dog, and his sidekick Sergeant Squirrel for a rollicking Halloween mystery. When a mysterious thief on a broomstick takes off with their bucket of Halloween candy, Detective Cluehound and Sergeant Squirrel are on the case. VERDICT This Halloween story will delight readers, and the surprising (and sweet) end will make it an instant favorite.

Murray’s Howl-o-ween by E.G Keller. Abrams. ISBN 9781419775819. 
PreS-Gr 2–A sweet and funny book. Murray is a city dog, so when his owners decide to visit the countryside in time for Halloween, he is not looking forward to it. Luckily for Murray, Wynona the countryside cat shows him all the joys of autumn. VERDICT A funny, well-written book that is a recommended purchase for classrooms and schools that celebrate Halloween, particularly with children who frequently get anxious about new and unfamiliar things.

[Read: From Cute to Creepy: Halloween Books for Readers of All Ages]

Luna and the Witch Throw a Halloween Party by Aubrey Plaza & Dan Murphy. illus. by Hannah Peck. Viking. ISBN 9780593693018. 
PreS-Gr 2–Like her grandma in Puerto Rico, Luna wants to be a bruja—a real witch. She knows just the way to make it happen: by enlisting the help of Pheenie, a witch in the neighborhood. They make a deal. Luna will help Pheenie throw the best Halloween party and in return she will teach Luna how to be a witch. VERDICT Recommended as a fresh addition to public and school libraries to introduce the concept of a bruja. The story is lively and is likely to capture the interest of children and adults.

We Are Already Haunting Here! by Gideon Sterer. illus. by Charlie Mylie. Union Square Kids. ISBN 9781454960478.
K-Gr 4–A bowler hat-clad, Casper-styled ghost is in search of a home to haunt. Every spot he finds is occupied, from creaky houses to creepy sewers, with bad-tempered boo-ers in every nook and cranny. But an ending twist hints towards comforting familial eternity. VERDICT An emotional take on a ghost story, with heartwarming illustrations and an ending to bring a tear to the eye.

Keyana Loves Halloween by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley. illus. by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316099653.
PreS-Gr 2–Keyana McGee is full of big ideas for Halloween costumes. She and Aunt Ruby have created a beautiful “fairy garden mother” outfit, and younger brother Miles is going as his favorite character, a “green-horned snorkelbot.” When Aunt Ruby’s Great Dane races for the door and Miles gets caught in the rush, he falls, and his costume is torn. Keyana comes up with a “ginormous” plan to help a tearful Miles repair his costume and get back in the holiday mood. VERDICT A warm look at turning disappointment into an opportunity for creativity. Recommended for holiday shelves where the series has been popular.

Hair-Raising Upcycled Halloween Accessories by Ruthie Van Oosbree & Tamara JM Peterson. Capstone. ISBN 9798875221309. 
Gr 3-5–This collection of DIY Halloween accessories features 12 projects kids can make with upcycled materials like sunglasses, books, cardboard, headbands, and old shoes. The projects include masks made from cardboard or papier-mâché, or from sunglasses decorated with faux fur or pipe cleaners. VERDICT Although most of the projects may require adult assistance, this is a creative collection of DIY ideas that will appeal to kids looking for inexpensive, homemade ways to accessorize their Halloween costumes using common, upcycled materials.

Archie & Pip the Halloween Costume Surprise by Zoe Wodarz. illus. by Mari Richards. Cottage Door Pr. ISBN 9798890192325. 
K-Gr 2–Brothers Archie and Pip are getting ready for the Harvest Festival and Halloween, but despite all their cool ideas, they can’t think of a good Halloween costume. They spend a fun day playing games, picking pumpkins, and getting lost in the corn maze, but still can’t think of anything. Finally, they figure out what to dress up as and reveal their awesome costumes just in time for trick-or-treating. VERDICT A great book to showcase fall and Halloween, especially for explaining the different events that happen during this time.