Children's Book Suggestions | Halloween Picture Books

Not-too-scary picture books for readers age 3-7.

Updated October 5, 2023
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Moldilocks and the three scares : a zombie tale
Lynne Marie
Paper Book
A zombie-tastic take on a favorite fairy tale!   "A horror spoof with a big heart: Lorenzo's acrylic and colored pencil cartooning offers a warm glow, and readers will cheer for this undead family that finally feels complete." --Publishers...
Pick a pumpkin
Toht, Patricia
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...
Bone soup : a spooky, tasty tale
Capucilli, Alyssa Satin
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...
A tiger called Tomás
Zolotow, Charlotte
Paper Book
A new edition of the timeless classic by celebrated children's author, Charlotte Zolotow, featuring Spanish words and phrases! When Tomás and his family moved to a new house on a new street, he took it into his head that the new people might not like him. "Of course they'd like you,...
Stumpkin
Cummins, Lucy Ruth
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...
The little old lady who was not afraid of anything
Williams, Linda
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...
The scariest book ever
Shea, Bob
Paper Book
A silly (and actually not TOO scary!) story perfect for Halloween read-alouds, from favorite funny man Bob Shea! "A delight for kids who have graduated from Hervé Tullet's work and such classics as There's a Monster at the End of This Book." -- Kirkus Reviews ...
Creepy carrots!
Reynolds, Aaron
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...
Fright Club
Long, Ethan
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...
Pumpkin cat
Mortimer, Anne.
Paper Book
Through the seasons, Cat and Mouse work together in the garden. Together, they watch seeds that turn into plants in the spring, and plants that turn into flowers in the summer, and flowers that turn into pumpkins in the fall! And when their pumpkins are finally ready,...
Los gatos black on Halloween
Montes, Marisa
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...
Zen ghosts
Muth, Jon J.
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...
Gustavo, the shy ghost
Drago, Flavia Z.
Paper Book
A #1 New York Times bestseller! This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season -- or anytime. Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through...
Dem bones
Barner, Bob.
Paper Book
Shoulder bone connected to da neck bone Neck bone connected to da head bone Dem Bones, Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones Colorful torn paper collages bring to life this classic African American spiritual. The frolicking skeletons will captivate children and adults while they...
I am scary
Gravel, Elise
Paper Book
Key Selling Points In this cute and funny board book, a young child refuses to be scared by a monster. Author and illustrator Elise Gravel is very well known for her art and books, which include the Olga series (HarperCollins), The Cranky Ballerina(HarperCollins) and The...
How to help a pumpkin grow
Wolff, Ashley
Paper Book
What does it take to help a pumpkin grow? Find out in this warm, rhyming tale of gardening and unexpected friendship. Dog is planting a garden, doing all he can to help his pumpkins grow: protecting them from snow, weeding and watering their patch, and keeping them safe from...
Runaway pumpkins
Bateman, Teresa
Paper Book
Roll into pumpkin season this autumn with a fall favorite perfect for storytime. A field trip to the pumpkin patch almost ends in disaster in this rollicking tale of resourcefulness and resilience. The old adage of "when life hands you lemons, make lemonade" is...

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