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
Eve Bunting
Paper Book
Four pairs of eyes stare from the blackness to watch fearsome creatures trick-or-treat.
How to Make Friends with a Ghost
Rebecca Green
Paper Book
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
Marion Dane Bauer
Paper Book
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?...
It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Charles M. Schulz
Paper Book
Join the PEANUTS gang as they get ready for a night of trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples, and pumpkin patches. In this faithful adaptation of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, young readers are introduced to the classic tale necessary for any PEANUTS collection.Aligned to Common Core...
Los Gatos Black on Halloween
Marisa Montes
Paper Book
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!
Susan Hood
Paper Book
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...
The Vanishing Pumpkin
Tony Johnston
Paper Book
A classic Halloween story about a pumpkin gone missing is certain to delight readers of all ages! When a 700-year-old woman and an 800-year-old man want to make pumpkin pie on Halloween, they can't find their pumpkin. "Our pumpkin's been snitched," cries the woman. And off they...
Zen Ghosts
Jon J. Muth
Paper Book
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...
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Linda Williams
Paper Book
"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
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Paper Book
"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...
The Hallo-Wiener
Dav Pilkey
Paper Book
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
Stan Berenstain
Paper Book
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. Bright and Early Books are perfect for beginning beginner readers! Launched by Dr....
Creepy Carrots!
Aaron Reynolds
Paper Book
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
Erica Silverman
Paper Book
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
Marc Brown
Paper Book
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
Carolyn Crimi
Paper Book
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
Julia Donaldson
Paper Book
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
Edward Marshall
Ebook
The Pomegranate Witch
Denise Doyen
Paper Book
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
Norman Bridwell
Paper Book
Clifford is the hit of the Halloween party when he arrives dressed as an enormous ghost.
Halloween Hoots and Howls
Joan Horton
Paper Book
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...
The Widow's Broom
Chris Van Allsburg
Paper Book
A widow finds herself in possession of an extraordinary broom left by a witch who fell into the widow's garden.
Hoodwinked
Arthur Howard
Paper Book
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...
The Soup Bone
Tony Johnston
Paper Book
Looking for a soup bone on Halloween, a little old lady finds a hungry skeleton instead.
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
Stan Berenstain
Paper Book
The Berenstain Bear cubs have an adventure on Halloween night that proves Mother's adage, "Appearances can be deceiving."
Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat
Doreen Cronin
Paper Book
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...
The Little Kitten
Nicola Killen
Paper Book
"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...
The Halloween Tree
Susan Montanari
Paper Book
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!
Harriet Muncaster
Paper Book
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
Rubin Pingk
Paper Book
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,...
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt
Riel Nason
Paper Book
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,...
Franklin's Halloween
Paulette Bourgeois
Ebook
It's Halloween in Woodland in this classic storybook featuring Franklin the turtle, the inspiration for the beloved TV show Franklin and Friends! Franklin and his pals are excited for the Halloween party. But things get scary when everyone's favorite turtle...
I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles
Jean Marzollo
Paper Book
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...
The Halloween House
Erica Silverman
Paper Book
A Halloween counting book unlike any other In the Halloween house, in a dark, dingy den, a papa werewolf crouched with his little ones ten Little do two excaped convicts seeking refuge know that they're about to encounter these werewolves and nine other creepy creatures, all ready for their...
Froggy's Halloween
Jonathan London
Paper Book
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.
Pumpkin Cat
Ann Turner
Paper Book
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
Jessie Sima
Paper Book
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
Steve Soenksen
Paper Book
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
Patricia Toht
Paper Book
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...
Mrs. McMurphy's Pumpkin
Rick Walton
Paper Book
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
Erin Barker
Paper Book
"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,...
Rattlebone Rock
Sylvia Andrews
Paper Book
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
Caralyn Buehner
Paper Book
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...
Not Very Scary
Carol Brendler
Paper Book
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
Deanna Caswell
Paper Book
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
Kate Coombs
Paper Book
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
Lucy Ruth Cummins
Paper Book
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
Diane de Groat
Paper Book
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, Your Feet Really Stink, everyone's favorite porcupine learns all about the ups...
10 Busy Brooms
Carole Gerber
Paper Book
Celebrate Halloween with this fun and festive counting board book, perfect for fans of Room 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,...
Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat
Tracy C. Gold
Paper Book
An adorable rhyming Halloween book with educational nonfiction elements woven in, perfect for classrooms and libraries! Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me lots of BUGS to eat! Follow along as a young bat takes flight on Halloween night and eats lots of delicious bugs along the way!...
The Ugly Pumpkin
Dave Horowitz
Paper Book
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...
Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins
James Dean
Paper Book
  Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate. The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late."   Join Pete the...
Halloween Is Coming!
Cal Everett
Paper Book
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
Miriam Glassman
Paper Book
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!
Tad Hills
Paper Book
It's Halloween in the meadow, and the beloved, classic, and New York Timesbestselling 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
Ethan Long
Paper Book
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!
Lois Ehlert
Paper Book
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
Myra Cohn Livingston
Paper Book
Eighteen poems celebrate the holiday of pumpkins, black cats, witches, and ghosts.
Fright Night Flight
Laura Krauss Melmed
Paper Book
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
Mark Kimball Moulton
Paper Book
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
Ruth Paul
Paper Book
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
Marjorie Dennis Murray
Paper Book
'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
Tim Preston
Paper Book
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 Dem Halloween Bones
W. Nikola-Lisa
Paper Book
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
Robert D. San Souci
Paper Book
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
Cynthia Rylant
Paper Book
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...

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