In this article:
• For babies and toddlers (birth to 3 years)
• For little kids (about 4 to 8-year-olds)
• For big kids (7 to 12-year-olds)
Halloween books are one of my favorite ways to get my kids in the spooky spirit—without too many nightmares to follow. From silly pumpkins to ghostly adventures, the right story sets the stage for all the fun October brings. I’ve rounded up our family favorites, grouped by age, so whether you’re reading to a toddler at bedtime or handing a chapter book to your tween, here’s a sweet mix of giggles and thrills this season.
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Halloween Books for Babies & Toddlers
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Halloween
Written and illustrated by: The World of Eric Carle
Age range: 0–3 years
Year published: 2025
Number of pages: 10
Why I love it: This pumpkin-shaped board book (based on the works by the famed children’s book creator, who passed away in 2021) offers you and your little the chance to search and find the classic hungry caterpillar hiding among all things fall and Halloween. Is he in the leaves? With the bats? In the bucket of candy? It’s festive and interactive—great for a non-spooky read-together.
Where to find it: Visit penguinrandomhouse.com for this and more Eric Carle books.
Spooky Pookie
Written and illustrated by: Sandra Boynton
Age range: 0–3 years
Year published: 2017
Number of pages: 18
Why I love it: My kids were always tickled by Boynton’s clever wordplay and animal characters, and this book is no exception. Here, little Pookie is trying on Halloween costumes, one by one, searching for the right fit, before settling on a classic. You’ll love the jump scare at the end—boo!
Where to find it: Visit simonandschuster.com for this or the boxed set of all 5 Pookie holiday books.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
Written by: Alice Schertle
Illustrated by: Jill McElmurry
Age range: 0–3 years
Year published: 2016
Number of pages: 16
Why I love it: We own every book in the Little Blue Truck series, but this one’s the family favorite. In it, you’ll join Blue and all his barnyard friends as they head to a costume party. There’s something extra whimsical about the warm fall vibe of the illustrations, and the lift-up flaps keep the littlest ones (and even my rowdy preschooler) engaged.
Where to find it: Visit harpercollins.com for where to buy and for activity guides too.
Halloween Books for Young Kids
The Good, The Bad and The Spooky
Written by: Jory John
Illustrated by: Pete Oswald
Age range: 4 to 7-year-olds
Year published: 2021
Number of pages: 32
Why I love it: If like us, you’re a fan of John and Oswald’s Food Group books (The Bad Seed, The Smart Cookie, etc.), you need this one for a festive spin. The cranky sunflower seed is at it again—this time in a bad mood because he can’t find the perfect Halloween costume, which threatens to ruin the holiday for everyone. Like the other books, this one is witty and funny and packed with some positive lessons. Plus, it includes two sticker sheets.
Where to find it: Where to find it: Visit harpercollins.com for where to buy and more details on The Food Group series.
Creepy Pair of Underwear!
Written by: Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by: Peter Brown
Age range: 4 to 8-year-olds
Year published: 2017
Number of pages: 48
Why I love it: At first glance, these big-boy underwear seem really cool—until they turn out to be really creepy. My kids were roaring with laughter as these undies followed poor Jasper everywhere he went. This is a very silly, not-so-scary read, with a fun little twist at the end.
Where to find it: Visit simonandschuster.com for where to buy and more details on the Jasper Rabbit’s Creepy Tales! series.
Pumpkin Jack
Written and illustrated by: Will Hubbell
Age range: 4 to 8-year-olds
Year published: 2000
Number of pages: 32
Why I love it: Not only is this beautifully illustrated book a lesson in letting go—by way of a little boy who does not want to get rid of his very first jack-o-lantern, Jack—it also offers a look at the life cycle as he sees it rot in the garden, then later grow into a plant and eventually a new pumpkin. (Many people use this book as inspiration for their own science experiments—there are even Facebook groups dedicated to it.)
Where to find it: Visit albertwhitman.com for where to buy and more details on this fan favorite.
Halloween Books for Big Kids
Haunted Castle on Hallows Eve: A Magic Tree House Merlin Missions Book
Written by: Mary Pope Osborne
Illustrated by: Sal Murdocca
Age range: 7 to 10-year-olds
Year published: 2010
Number of pages: 144
Why I love it: For me, no list could be complete without a Magic Tree House book, which were my older son’s transition into chapter books. Keep in mind that while most Magic Tree House books are recommended for beginner readers from 6–9, the Merlin Missions series is a bit more challenging and geared for more experienced readers. In this one (the second in the Merlin Missions series), Jack and Annie are summoned to Camelot for an epic adventure in a haunted castle.
Where to find it: Visit penguinrandomhouse.com for where to buy and more details on this book and Merlin Mission series.
The Only Ghost in School
Written and illustrated by: Tara J. Hannon
Age range: 8 to 12-year-olds
Year published: 2025
Number of pages: 96
Why I love it: When Ghostie has to move from his comfortable life in Scareville to his new life in the human town of Smithville, he’s the only ghost at the elementary school. This little ghost proved surprisingly relatable for my son, coping with the universal kid dilemmas like fitting in, making friends and those dreaded class presentations. I also love that almost every page features a full-color illustration, which keeps it moving and engaging, even for the most reluctant readers.
Where to find it: Visit penguinrandomhouse.com for where to buy and more details on this book and The Only Ghost series.
Weird But True! Halloween
Published by: National Geographic Kids and Julie Beer
Age range: 8 to 12-year-olds
Year published: 2020
Number of pages: 208
Why I love it: Did you know that in Germany, it’s considered good luck if a black cat crosses your path—but only from left to right? You’ll learn such tidbits in this edition of the wildly popular Weird But True! series, a great pick if your kid—like mine—loves to share the most random facts and trivia.
Where to find it: Visit penguinrandomhouse.com for where to buy and more details on this book and the Weird But True! series.
Goosebumps Series
Written by: R.L Stine
Age range: 8 to 12-year-olds
Year published: 1992–2025
Number of pages: Varies by book
Why I love them: Ah, nostalgia. There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned scare, and when I was young, these paperbacks sure did the trick. I devoured these books as a kid (my favorite was It Came From Beneath the Sink), so now getting to relive the spooky stories of my childhood with my own son is pretty special.
Where to find it: Learn more about the books from each of the series (classic Goosebumps, Goosebumps: House of Shivers series, etc.) at rlstine.com or find the set of 10 classic books from amazon.com.
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