Halloween Picture Books

Witches, ghosts, black cats and jack-o-lanterns! This collection of Halloween picture books features some frights, and lots of fun.
Updated October 2, 2022
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Scary scary Halloween
Bunting, Eve, 1928-
Four pairs of eyes stare from the blackness to watch fearsome creatures trick-or-treat.
Bonesville
Fromental, Jean-Luc
This stunning picture book from the bestselling team of Jean-Luc Fromental and Joëlle Jolivet cleverly introduces many of the bones that make up the human body.   A mysterious beast is terrorizing the resident skeletons of Bonesville. Under cover of darkness, it...
How to make friends with a ghost
Green, Rebecca, 1986-
What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favorite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren't looking!...
Halloween forest
Bauer, Marion Dane.
If you take your trick-or-treat sack and venture into the dark woods on Halloween night, you'll find cat bones, rat bones, and bat bones - and all are looking at YOU! "Take care! Beware! Despair! the bone creatures cry. "You can bet you've just met your worst nightmare!" What will you do?...
Woggle of witches
Adams, Adrienne.
The witches are frightened by strange creatures on the night of their special celebration.
It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Fontes, Justine.
Adapted for the first time since the late 1960s, this 35th anniversary tie-in to the Peanuts' classic television special features Linus giving up trick-or-treating on Halloween to await the arrival of the Great Pumpkin in the pumpkin patch. Full-color illustrations. 50,000
Gatos black on Halloween
Montes, Marisa.
Follow los monstruos and los esqueletos to the Halloween party Under October'sluna, full and bright, the monsters are throwing a ball in the Haunted Hall.Las brujas come on their broomsticks.Los muertos rise from their coffins to join in the fun.Los...
Just say boo!
Hood, Susan.
If three dinosaurs roar when you open your door, what do you say "Boo!" of course! In this charmingly spooky story by Susan Hood, little trick-or-treaters learn just what to say in every Halloween situation. From rattling bones to ghostly footsteps, Susan captures all the...
Vanishing pumpkin
Johnston, Tony, 1942-
A 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man, both witches, go searching on Halloween night for the pumpkin someone snitched from them.
Zen ghosts
Muth, Jon J.
Stillwater, the beloved Zen panda, now in his own Apple TV+ original series!It's Halloween. The trees are ablaze in fiery reds. Excited children don colorful costumes. And there's mystery and fun around every corner!When Addy, Michael, and Karl finish trick-or-treating, their bags are...
Bones of Fred Mcfee
Bunting, Eve, 1928-
In this rhythmic story, an unsuspecting brother and sister bring a toy skeleton home from the harvest fair. They name it Fred McFee and hang it from a sycamore tree. Soon, eerie things begin to happen: The rooster disappears. The hens won't lay. Most terrifying of all, Fred's bones dance...
Little old lady who was not afraid of anything
Williams, Linda, 1948-
"A splendiferous Halloween story." --The Horn Book "A great purchase for Halloween or any time of year." --School Library Journal (starred review) Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the...
BONE SOUP A SPOOKY TASTY TALE
CAPUCILLI, ALYSSA SATIN.
"A delight...Just the right mix of creepy and humorous, treading the line between scary and fun." --Kirkus Reviews "Plenty of tasty vocabulary...As ghoulishly bright as a jack-o'-lantern." --Publishers Weekly Three little witches...
Hallo wiener
Pilkey, Dav, 1966-
From Dav Pilkey, creator of the New York Times bestselling Dog Man and Captain Underpants series, comes Oscar, a little dog with a big bullying problem.Oscar is a little dog with a big problem -- he gets more tricks than treats because other dogs tease him all the time. But one brave act on...
The Berenstain bears and the spooky old tree
Berenstain, Stan
Carve out family time for this classic Berenstain Bear's read! Three brave little bears explore the inside of a mysterious old tree and go into, up, through, over, down, and out.
Creepy carrots!
Reynolds, Aaron, 1970-
In this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book, The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots--especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school. He eats...
Big pumpkin
Silverman, Erica.
A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book. The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can't get it off the vine. It's so big the...
Arthur's Halloween
Brown, Marc Tolon.
Arthur finds everything about Halloween scary, including his little sister's costume, his morning snack, and the big house on the corner.
Boris and Bella
Crimi, Carolyn.
Bella Legrossi is the messiest monster in all of Booville. Her slime is the slimiest and her grime is the grimiest. Alas, she is neighbors with Boris Kleanitoff, a persnickety ghoul so tidy he vacuums his vampire bats. What could ever bring these two together? It will take a...
Room on the broom
Donaldson, Julia.
This fun family read-aloud is the perfect way to start Halloween celebrations with a sweet-but-slightly-spooky story that makes it an ideal gift book The witch and her cat couldn't be happier, flying through the sky on their broomstick-until the witch drops her hat, then her bow,...
Space case
Marshall, Edward.
For use in schools and libraries only. A visitor from outer space lands unnoticed on Earth at Halloween, goes trick-or-treating with some children, and visits a classroom.
Cranberry Halloween
Devlin, Wende.
"Maggie and Mr. Whiskers are in trouble again!" "I don't believe in ghosts," Mr. Whiskers said. But hadn't ghosts just trapped Mr. Whiskers and Maggie in the old Peabody house? They would never get the money to the townspeople now! That is...unless Mr. Whiskers can find a way out...
Hey how for Halloween!
Hopkins, Lee Bennett.
Hubknuckles
Herman, Emily.
"Every Halloween, Hubknuckles pays a visit to Lee and her younger sisters and baby brother. The children watch the ghostly figure from the safety of their warm kitchen, experiencing delicious little tickles of fear. ut this year, Lee has decided that Hubknuckles isn't real. Hubknuckles is just a...
Pomegranate witch
Doyen, Denise
When a scary old tree blooms with the most beautiful pomegranates ever seen, the neighborhood kids' mouths water with anticipation. But the tree isn't theirs--and it has a protector! So begins the Pomegranate War, a fun, rollicking, rhyming tale of a battle between the sly, plucky young rascals and...
Clifford's Halloween
Bridwell, Norman.
It's Clifford's favorite day of the year -- Halloween! Out of all the holidays, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford like Halloween the most. They play games, trick-or-treat in the neighborhood, and tell ghost stories. Best of all, they can wear costumes! Clown, witch, knight, or ghost -- what...
Halloween hoots and howls
Horton, Joan.
There's going to be a party. You're invited one and all. We'll be waiting there to greet you At the Ghost and Goblin Ball. A Frankenstein who shops at the grocery store. A ghost who's afraid of ghosts. A witch with a turbo broomstick. These are just a few of the quirky...
Widow's broom
Van Allsburg, Chris.
A widow finds herself in possession of an extraordinary broom left by a witch who fell into the widow's garden.
Halloween happening
Adams, Adrienne.
It's Halloween, and a group of witches is throwing a hair-raising party. Only children are invited, and they're in for some bewitching fun! It's hard work getting ready! There are toad tarts, worm waffles, and candy bats to prepare. But more than that, a giant pumpkin tower is being built for...
Frankenstein makes a sandwich and other stories you're sure to like because they're all about mon
Rex, Adam.
Being a monsternbsp;isn't all frightening villagers and sucking blood.nbsp;Monsters have their trials, too. Poor Frankenstein's cupboard is bare, Wolfman is in need of some household help, and it's best not to get started on Dracula’s hygiene issues. What could be scarier? nbsp;nbsp...
The witch who lives down the hall
Guthrie, Donna.
A young boy who lives in an apartment house is convinced that his mysterious new neighbor is a witch.
Hoodwinked
Howard, Arthur.
Mitzi is a witch who likes creepy things. So when she decides to get a pet, she wants the creepiest pet possible. But the bats she tries are too batty, the toad does nothing but eat bugs, and the warthogs . . . well, that’s a whole other story. Mitzi is in despair. She wants a...
Soup bone
Johnston, Tony, 1942-
Looking for a soup bone on Halloween, a little old lady finds a hungry skeleton instead.
Berenstain Bears trick or treat
Berenstain, Stan, 1923-2005.
This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween, all the while teaching children about the difference between right and wrong Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book(R) from Stan and Jan Berenstain. It's Halloween and Brother and...
Click, clack, boo! : a tricky treat
Cronin, Doreen.
Will the barnyard animals trick--or treat--Farmer Brown? Find out in this Halloween tale from the #1 New York Times bestselling creators of Click, Clack, Moo. Farmer Brown does not like Halloween. So he draws the shades, puts on his footy pajamas, and climbs into...
Little kitten
Killen, Nicola
"Lucky kitten, lucky readers: a sweet, special Halloween story." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "This gentle story is a sweet option for a Halloween read-aloud and will please young feline fans any time of the year." --Booklist From beloved...
Halloween tree
Montanari, Susan McElroy
A charming, funny, and heartwarming kids Halloween picture book that will help to start a new seasonal tradition. Perfect for kids 3-5 or any young child in your life that wants to celebrate the spookiest season of the year. Everyone knows most young saplings dream of becoming Christmas trees....
Happy Halloween witch's cat!
Muncaster, Harriet
A little girl believes her mother is a good witch, and she is a special witch's cat. Together, they're out to find the perfect Halloween costume. But what could be better than being a witch's cat To create the whimsical world of Witch's Cat, author-illustrator Harriet...
Samurai Scarecrow : a very Ninja Halloween
Pingk, Rubin
A young ninja and his adorable younger sister who wants to be just like him are in for the Halloween of their lives in this tender sibling story with graphic novel-inspired illustrations, Samurai style. It is Halloween, and Yukio is excited to celebrate! But whatever Yukio does,...
Little ghost who was a quilt
Nason, Riel, 1969-
The little ghost who is a quilt can't whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot. He doesn't know why he s a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can't keep up. But one Halloween,...
Witches supermarket
Meddaugh, Susan.
While trick-or-treating on Hallow-een night, Helen and her dog Martha happen upon a very unusual supermarket -- for witches and cats only -- where they are most unwelcome!
Shy Mama's Halloween
Broyles, Anne
When their father gets sick and cannot take them out trick or treating on their first Halloween in this new country, Anya and her sisters and brothers are surprised when their shy mother agrees to accompany them.
One dark night
Preston, Edna Mitchell.
Franklin's Halloween
Bourgeois, Paulette.
Everyone's favorite turtle is back--and all dressed up for Halloween fun! What does a turtle look like when he's made up as Frankenstein? Children will be delighted to see for themselves as they follow Franklin to a Halloween party, complete with games, a parade, and a haunted house. Full color.
I spy spooky night a book of picture riddles
Wick, Walter.
Search-and-find riddles paired with amazing photographs will captivate kids of all ages in the bestselling I Spy series.Acclaimed I Spy creators Walter Wick and Jean Marzollo use everyday objects to enhance intellectual discovery.From a haunted house to a misty graveyard, readers...
Halloween house
Silverman, Erica.
"In a hilarious spoof of the counting classic Over in the Meadow, Silverman deposits two escaped convicts in a haunted house, and then lets the inhabitants scare the escapees back to prison. Cheerfully rendered ghoulies accompany each delightfully understated rhyme...A hit if read aloud or read...
Froggy's Halloween
London, Jonathan, 1947-
Froggy tries to find just the right costume for Halloween, and although his trick-or-treating does not go as planned, he enjoys himself anyway. Color illustrations throughout.
The story of the Jack O'Lantern
Tegen, Katherine Brown.
On Halloween night, we dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, and carve jack-o'-lanterns. But what is really behind these holiday traditions It all started with a greedy man named Jack, who made a pact with the wrong person. When it comes time for Jack to repay his debt,...
Pumpkin Cat
Turner, Ann Warren.
On a stormy night in October, a ginger cat finds refuge in the "Returned Books" bin of the local library. Rescued by two kind librarians, Pumpkin Cat makes a home for herself in the large children's room. But the wooden sheep and the sock monkey never talk, and once the librarians leave for the day,...
Hardly haunted
Sima, Jessie
From the bestselling creator of Not Quite Narwhal comes a delightfully spooky story about an old house who wants to be a home...even if her new family isn't what she expected. House has a problem. She's a little spooky. She's a little cobwebby. Oh, no! What if...
Ten spooky pumpkins
Grimly, Gris
Join celebrated creator Gris Grimly in this spooky countdown, as one little girl ventures out into the night for an unforgettable Halloween adventure!10 little pumpkins, sitting in a line,looking for a cat and they found nine.The wind said SWOOSH and the gate went CREAK.The owl cried...
Pick a pumpkin
Toht, Patricia, 1960-
The creators of Pick a Pine Tree are back with a joyful, energetic celebration of a Halloween tradition. Pick a pumpkin from the patch. Tall and lean or short and fat. Vivid orange, ghostly white, or speckled green, might be just right. Pairing a...
By the light of the Halloween moon
Stutson, Caroline.
In this fun, cumulative tale, a little girl's toe taps a tune as her legs dangle from a footbridge that has all sorts of creatures hidden underneath. There are cats and witches, bats and ghosts. With a rhythmic, bouncy text and imaginative illustrations, this Halloween story is sure to tickle...
Mrs McMurphy's pumpkin
Walton, Rick.
One morning, a few days before Halloween, Mrs. McMurphy wakes up to find a large pumpkin by her front door. "My mouth is here. I speak to you. When my teeth are here, I'll eat you!" it says with a mischievous grin. Unafraid, Mrs. McMurphy politely places the threatening squash outside. But day after...
Mr Pumpkin's tea party
Barker, Erin
"There's a party at Mr. Pumpkin's tonight. A banquet with friends in the autumn twilight. And at this soiree we'll see and we'll find ghoulish delights of every kind." You are cordially invited to Mr. Pumpkin's Tea Party--a delightfully quirky twist on a counting book, incorporating gorgeous,...
The Halloween party
Anderson, Lonzo
On Halloween Faraday Folsum runs across a party of witches, ogres, and gremlins that are a bit too real for comfort.
Boo La La Witch Spa
Berger, Samantha
Spooky meets silly in this unique Halloween story about a witch's night out at the fa-BOO Witch Spa! Halloween is the most important day of the year for any witch. So when the holiday ends and the witches are tired from tricking and treating, they all head to the fa-boo Witch Spa...
Rattlebone Rock
Andrews, Sylvia.
BOOM! CLACKA-CLACK! The skeletons dance And rattle their bones. Ghosts join in With musical moans. Mice squeak by And bats swoop down. The BOOMA beat echoes All through the town. Witches and goblins Make the tombstones Knock. It's time to dance To the Rattlebone Rock!
Snowmen at Halloween
Buehner, Caralyn
The snowmen are getting their Halloween costumes ready for the latest picture book in this New York Times bestselling series. Have you ever built a snowman and discovered the next day that his grin has gotten a little crooked, or his tree-branch arms have moved? And you've...
Vampire boy's good night
Brown, Lisa, 1972-
When the sun goes down and everything is wonderfully cold and dark, a vampire boy and a little witch go searching for children in the night. But this is no ordinary night. It is Halloween, and what they find may surprise them. . . .
Georgie's Halloween
Bright, Robert
Witches night before Halloween
Bannatyne, Lesley Pratt.
It's the night before Halloween, and these witches still have many last-minute things to do! In this spooky parody of Clement C. Moore's famous Christmas poem, the witches are up to their elbows in cobwebs and slime, trying to make sure their witchlings are well prepared for their first Halloween...
Not very scary
Brendler, Carol
Melly is a brave little monster who is not afraid of anything. She loves surprises, and when her fun-loving cousin invites her over for a big surprise, Melly excitedly sets out for a visit. On her way, she notices skittish skeletons, a coal-black cat, and even ghoulish goblins following her. But...
Boo haiku
Caswell, Deanna
Bestselling illustrator Bob Shea and poet Deanna Caswell are back, this time with a haiku book filled with frights that delight. Here's a spooky haiku just for you! broom across the moon pointed hat at the window hair-raising cackle Can you guess who from this...
MONSTER SCHOOL
COOMBS, KATE.
Twilight's here. The death bell rings. Everyone knows what the death bell brings--it's time for class! You're in the place where goblins wail and zombies drool. (That's because they're kindergartners.) Welcome to Monster School. In this entertaining collection of poems, award-winning poet Kate...
Stumpkin
Cummins, Lucy Ruth
From the critically acclaimed author and illustrator of A Hungry Lion comes a unique Halloween story about a stemless pumpkin who dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern. Stumpkin is the most handsome pumpkin on the block. He's as orange as a traffic cone! Twice as round as a...
Trick or treat smell my feet
deGroat, Diane.
Gilbert wants to be a Martian Space Pilot at the school costume parade, but a mix-up leaves him with nothing but his little sister's ballerina tutu to wear! In this hilarious follow-up to the best-selling Roses Are Pink, Ypur Feet Really Stink , everyone's favorite porcupine learns all about the ups...
ABCs of Halloween
Eubank, Patti Reeder.
Features two black cats which lead children through the alphabet as each letter brings words for the Halloween season. This book is suitable for ages 4 to 8 years.
10 busy brooms
Gerber, Carole
Celebrate Halloween with this fun and festive counting book, perfect for fans ofRoom on the Broom! Young readers will want to fly the night sky with the ten little witches in this bright and adventurous Halloween story. Whether zooming past rattling skeletons, buzzing by...
Trick or treat bugs to eat
Gold, Tracy C.
An adorably cute Halloween book for children with educational nonfiction elements woven in. A perfect book for kids learning and playing in classrooms, libraries, and at home! Follow along as a young bat takes flight on Halloween night and eats lots of delicious bugs along the way!...
Ugly pumpkin
Horowitz, Dave, 1970-
No one wants to take home the Ugly Pumpkin. Sure, he doesn’t look like any of the other pumpkins, but why does everyone have to tease him so much? The poor, lonely pumpkin goes in search of a place where he’ll fit in—and finally discovers the truth about who he is and where he...
Sir William and the pumpkin monster
Cuyler, Margery.
Unsuccessful in his schemes to frighten the family he lives with, a frustrated ghost has a terrifying experience himself on Halloween night.
In the haunted house
Bunting, Eve, 1928-
All we see are two pairs of sneakers, one large, one small, as a little girl and her father tour a dark, mysterious house.
Wobble the witch cat
Calhoun, Mary.
Witch mama
Caseley, Judith.
It is Halloween and Mickey is a little nervous, for Mama is cackling like a witch, and there are skeletons and robots and mermaids walking down the sidewalk, but his sister Jenna reassures him there is nothing to worry about. With full colour illustrations.
Pete the cat five little pumpkins
Dean, James, 1957-
  Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate. The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late."   Join Pete the...
Halloween is coming!
Everett, Cal
A fun, rhyming read-aloud Halloween picture book that starts a new holiday tradition. Perfect for kids 4-8 or any young child wanting to celebrate the spookiest season of the year! Marching in the school parade in frightening costumes that we've made; Look around, the signs...
Halloweena
Glassman, Miriam.
When crotchety old witch Hepzibah is given a human child to take care of, she's horrified (not a wart on her, poor thing).And when, after years of careful training in witchery, the child, Halloweena, asks for human playmates, Hepzibah is aghast. Nevertheless, she wants to see Halloweena happy, and...
Duck & Goose honk! quack! boo!
Hills, Tad
It's Halloween in the meadow, and the beloved, classic, and New York Times bestselling feathered friends Duck & Goose go trick-or-treating!Now an animated series, available to stream on Apple TV+! Duck is going as a spooky ghost. Goose is going as a brave superhero. And...
Fright Club
Long, Ethan.
This monster mash-up from Geisel winner Ethan Long doles out the laughs and the chills in equal measure. Each year, on Halloween eve, Fright Club meets to go over their plan: Operation Kiddie Scare. Only the scariest of monsters can join Fright Club--Vladimir the Vampire, Fran...
Boo to you!
Ehlert, Lois.
The harvest garden is bursting with delicious vegetables, the pumpkins are decorated and lit, and the mice have their costumes ready. Everyone is looking forward to the annual Halloween-night feast. Scary Cat wasn't invited to the party, but he seems to think he's coming anyway. Time for a clever...
Halloween poems
Eighteen poems celebrate the holiday of pumpkins, black cats, witches, and ghosts.
Fright night flight
Melmed, Laura Krauss.
First stop, off we pop to a craggy mountaintop. Spooky castle, creaky floor -- who is opening the door? Is it a lurking, smirking Vampire? Or a howling, growling Werewolf? One by one, a ghoulish gang climbs onto this super jet-fueled broomstick for a frightfully fun flight on Halloween night. Want...
Miss Fiona's stupendous pumpkin pies
Moulton, Mark Kimball.
For ages 4-8. What do vampires, pirates and pink rabbits have in common? They all love Miss Fionas pumpkin pie! Join the trick-or-treaters as they creep down past the old cemetery to Miss Fiona's haunted house for a taste of her secret Halloween recipe. Spooky illustrations enhance this tasty tale...
Cookie boo
Paul, Ruth
The cookies climb out of the cookie tin and go on a Halloween adventure in this rhythmic read-aloud, perfect for family sharing. Seven spooky cookies sitting in a tin, waiting for the moonlight to let the magic in... Cookie Boo, from award-winning author...
Halloween night
Murray, Marjorie Dennis.
'Twas Halloween night, Tand all through the house, Every creature was stirring, including the mouse . . . The witch is cooking. Banshees are singing. The goody bags are oozing with ooey, gooey snacks. Everyone's warming up for the best Halloween party ever. Get ready for a...
Pumpkin moon
Preston, Tim.
The trick-or-treaters have gone to bed, but the fun really begins when the jack-o'-lanterns decide there's more to life than sitting on the porch. Full of superbly surreal illustrations, this nearly wordless picture book sets the mood for wild magic for young Halloween enthusiasts. Full color.
Shake d'em Halloween bones
Nikola-Lisa, W.
It's Halloween night. The city is quiet. The city is still. But as the lights go down, the music comes up - and the guests start to arrive at the hip-hop Halloween ball! And oh, what a party it is. Told in hip-hop rhyming text, L'il Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Tom Thumb, and all of their fairy...
Cinderella Skeleton
San Souci, Robert D.
Cinderella Skeleton Was everything a ghoul should be: Her nails were yellow; her teeth were green- Foulest in the land was she. Poor Cinderella Skeleton! Her evil stepsisters treat her with scorn and work her from dawn till dusk. But...
Moonlight the Halloween cat
Rylant, Cynthia.
Softly padding through the darkness, Moonlight explores the world on her favorite night, Halloween. The town and countryside glow with shining stars. The wide yellow moon lights pumpkins, racoons, and children out having fun. . . . Told in eloquently simple, lyrical words, with...
Halloween skyride
Spurr, Elizabeth.
As one witch wends her way to the party, a shaky skeleton, a quacky mummy, a jittery jack-o-lantern, and other Halloween haunters want to come too. But can all these guests fit on a single broomstick?

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