10 Best Halloween Books for Kids

Every October, my kids start asking about “the spooky books.” Halloween reading has become a tradition in our house, and I’ve gone through dozens of titles over the years to find the ones that actually hold a child’s attention.

Some of these books have been on our shelf for years. Others are newer picks that earned their spot because my kids kept asking me to read them again. I’ve organized this list by age group so you can find something that fits your child, whether they’re a toddler who loves lift-the-flap books or a middle schooler ready for genuinely creepy stories.

Best Halloween Books for Toddlers (Ages 0-3)

Toddlers don’t need scary. They need colorful, tactile, and short. These three have survived hundreds of readings in our house without falling apart (literally, they’re board books).

Peek-a Who?

This is the book I give at every baby shower during fall. It’s a sturdy board book with die-cut windows, colorful images, and rhythmic text that keeps toddlers guessing. My youngest used to squeal at the “Peek-a-boo!” reveal page every single time. At under $7, it’s a no-brainer gift for babies and toddlers up to age 2.

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween

If your toddler already loves the Little Blue Truck series, this Halloween edition is perfect. The little blue truck picks up animal friends for a costume party, and the 16 pages are filled with flaps that reveal each animal’s costume. Great for bedtime reading with kids aged 1-3. The board book version can handle some serious toddler handling.

The Gruffalo: A Push, Pull and Slide Book

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Gruffalo is a classic for a reason. This push, pull, and slide edition lets preschoolers interact with the story physically, moving characters and scenes on each page. The story follows a clever mouse who outsmarts a fox, an owl, a snake, and the fearsome Gruffalo. It’s mildly spooky, mostly funny, and the interactive elements keep little hands busy.

Best Halloween Books for Kids (Ages 3-7)

This is the sweet spot for Halloween books. Kids in this age range want a little spookiness, but nothing that’ll keep them up at night. These four titles strike that balance perfectly.

Room on the Broom

Another Julia Donaldson gem. A witch and her cat fly on a broomstick, losing items along the way. Three animals help retrieve the lost items and join the ride. When a dragon threatens the witch, the animals band together to save her. It’s 32 pages of rhyming text, beautiful illustrations, and a message about friendship. I’ve read this one so many times I can recite it from memory.

The Haunted Mansion (Disney Classic) Little Golden Book

Disney fans will love this one. It’s based on the iconic Disneyland ride, and the story follows characters trying to find their way out of a spooky mansion. The maze-like plot keeps kids engaged, and the Little Golden Book format means it’s affordable (around $5) and just the right length for a bedtime read. Ages 4-7.

The Monster at the End of This Book

Sesame Street’s Grover begs readers not to turn the pages because there’s a monster at the end of the book. Kids love “disobeying” Grover and flipping through anyway. The twist ending is genuinely funny, and the interactive format (Grover talks directly to the reader) makes it a crowd favorite. First published in 1971, and it still works. My kids thought they were being rebellious every time they turned a page.

I Spy Spooky Night: A Book of Picture Riddles

This New York Times bestseller has 13 double-page photographs of a ghostly house, each filled with hidden objects for kids to find. A skeleton guides readers through rooms filled with mice, spiders, candles, bats, and jack-o’-lanterns. It’s 40 pages of puzzles that kids can return to again and again. Works for ages 4 and up, and even adults get sucked in trying to spot everything.

Best Halloween Books for Older Kids (Ages 8-12)

Older kids want stories with real tension. These three books deliver genuine spookiness, strong characters, and plots that hold up even for adults.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman wrote a book that’s equally loved by 10-year-olds and 40-year-olds. Coraline discovers a hidden door in her new home that leads to a parallel world with an “Other Mother” who wants her to stay forever. It’s creepy, smart, and the kind of book that sticks with you. I read it as an adult first and found it unsettling. Kids aged 8-12 absolutely devour it. Won a Hugo and a Nebula award, which tells you this isn’t just a children’s book.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

This Newbery Medal winner is set in 1687 Connecticut. Sixteen-year-old Kit Tyler arrives from Barbados and struggles to fit into the strict Puritan community. When she befriends an outcast woman, Kit faces accusations of witchcraft. It’s both a historical novel and a suspenseful story about prejudice and courage. Best for ages 9-12. If your kids are studying colonial American history, this book brings that era to life.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney Classic) Little Golden Book

Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, stumbles upon Christmas Town and decides to take it over. This 24-page adaptation of Tim Burton’s classic film captures the story’s quirky charm. It works as both a Halloween and Christmas book, which means it gets two seasons of use. Perfect for ages 5-10, and for autumn bedtime reading when you want something festive without being frightening.

How to Choose the Right Halloween Book

Age-appropriateness matters more with Halloween books than most other categories. A book that’s “fun spooky” for a 10-year-old might genuinely frighten a 4-year-old. Here’s my quick guide.

Ages 0-3: Stick with board books that focus on colors, textures, and simple surprises. No actual scary elements. Peek-a-Who and Little Blue Truck are ideal.

Ages 3-7: Rhyming stories, funny “scary” characters, and interactive elements work well. Room on the Broom and The Monster at the End of This Book are perfect for this range.

Ages 8-12: Kids this age want genuine tension and mystery. Coraline and The Witch of Blackbird Pond deliver real suspense without being inappropriate.

I’d also suggest reading any Halloween book yourself before giving it to a younger child. What seems mild to an adult can be intense for a 5-year-old.

Where to Buy These Books

All of these books are available on Amazon with Prime shipping, which is the easiest option if Halloween is around the corner. Most cost between $5 and $12, making them affordable additions to your child’s bookshelf or great options for classroom Halloween parties.

If you’re buying for a classroom or group, the Little Golden Books (Haunted Mansion and Nightmare Before Christmas) are the most budget-friendly at around $5 each.

I also have a guide on the best Halloween gifts for kids if you’re looking for more than just books, and a roundup of must-read fiction books for older readers.

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