Since October 1st falls on a Saturday this year, I knew I had to start this Month of Horror-ible things off with something pertaining to kids. So, I decided to make a list of spooky (or at least Halloween themed!) books for kids, starting from your basic board book for the littlest of rugrats and working the way to something for the more advanced young readers. These are just suggestions, but I think you’ll find at least one book your little ghoul will enjoy.
October Kids Reads: Ghouls, Goblins, and Ghosties!
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills is a fun little seasonal twist on a well-loved children’s song. Help them learn to count from 1 spooky bus to 10 goofy ghosts and giggle at the monsters, ghosts, and ghoulies within.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
Sooo spooky! Boo, Bunny! by Kathryn O. Galbraith introduces kids to Trick-or-Treating in a fun way. Its got dark backgrounds and ‘scary’ shapes, and fuzzy little bunnies all dressed up and ready for candy.
Format: Board Book
Monster Tales: Pumpkin Patch Party A Halloween party with the Sesame Street gang. You know your little monsters are in good hands with this book filled with familiar characters introducing them to an awesome holiday.
Format: Lift the Flap
Karen LeFranc’s I Want to Eat Your Books is a cute rhyming story that isn’t scary at all! It does, however, introduce the concept of zombies in the most adorable fashion.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches by Alice Low is an I Can Read Level 4 book. It’s a great way to sneak a lesson while entertaining your kids with a story about a unsure witch.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary stories is a collection of classic tales for beginning readers. Unlike the other books listed so far on this list, this one actually can be a little scary for younger readers. So, you may want to give this one a look yourself personally to decide if its appropriate for your kiddos.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
The Geronimo Stilton books are fun, engaging books to read. They make use of a wide range of colors and fonts to help emphasize what’s going on. They’re great books for kids to read to themselves, or to read out loud with a parent. Not scary at all, of course, but horribly fun! So check out It’s Halloween You ‘Fraidy Mouse!
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
The appeal of the Berenstain Bears is ever-lasting. In Trick or Treat let your kids experience a classic that will teach them about Halloween, Trick-or-Treating, and right and wrong all at the same time.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
Black and white art perfectly compliment this short introduction to classic horror tales. Home Sweet Horror is about a little boy whose mother died. His father moves them to a new house, and everything gets super creepy when Bloody Mary enters the scene.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
The Magic Tree House books feel like they’ve been around forever, don’t they? You know they’re quality, and if you haven’t introduced your child to them already, then Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve might be the perfect opportunity to do so. Get your little goblin hooked with the spooky, and then start them from the beginning.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
Finally, Thirteen Chairs by Dave Shelton is perfect for your more advanced reader. Its filled with ‘soft’ horror stories. Nothing is truly frightening, but deliciously creepy. I wouldn’t recommend for kids under 10, but it really depends on your child. You’ll find this book in the teen section in the library, but don’t be put off by that.
Format: Hardcover / Paperback
Those look like some fun kids reads! 🙂
Have you read Thirteen Chairs?