Even as early as the beginning of September, the Halloween books were already flying off the shelves!
Thing is, everyone’s anticipation of Halloween is always high at this time of year. Kids love scary things,
and that includes stories. In fact, I visit a lot of preschool sites, and in October I always bring an
assortment of books that represent Fall. The books are not really Halloween‐ish, but they do hint at this
fun celebration, because some sites would rather I share seasonal books rather than those that are only
centered on Halloween.
Some sites, however, very much welcome Halloween stories, and I have my own favorites that I like to
bring along to share, especially with older preschoolers. One book I particularly like is a big hit and is
shelved in our Children’s Program Collection. It’s a pop‐up book entitled, “In A Dark, Dark, Wood: an Old
Tale with a New Twist” by David A. Carter. This story whips up lots of suspense, and I read it in such a
way that as I turn the pages, the kids are wide‐eyed and clinging to each other. When we get to the last
page, out pops the spooky surprise of a green ghost! The kids all scream and laugh and ask me over and
over to make the ghost reappear. In the coming weeks when I visit these sites, the question I will always
hear is, “Did you bring that scary book?”
Here are some not so spooky books for the season to read with your little ones, but only if you
dare…mwha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
A not-so-scary monster!
Jonathan Fenske
jE Lego
Picture Books
When a minifigure meets a new monster friend, this creature is down in the dumps. She doesn't always want to be scary. Sometimes she just wants to do cartwheels, or dress up and make silly faces. But with a little help, this new friend learns it's okay to be whatever you want to be. It's a delightfully funny and sweet story that will put a smile on the faces of readers of all ages.
The wolf, the duck & the mouse
Mac Barnett
jE Barnett
Picture Books
When a mouse is swallowed by a wolf, he learns that a duck devoured earlier has set up a table to enjoy the food the gluttonous predator eats.
Wee Sister Strange
Holly Grant
jE Grant
Picture Books
"A wild, nameless girl the townspeople call Wee Sister Strange roams through forests and marshes and bogs in search for a bedtime story"--
Leo : a ghost story
Mac Barnett
jE Barnett
Picture Books
Leo is a friendly house ghost--but when a family moves into his house, and tries to get rid of him, he leaves and roams the city looking for a friend.
Beneath the bed and other scary stories
Max Brallier
jREADER Brallier Max
Early Readers
The kids at school dare John to visit the old house on the hill at night, and when he and his sister go in they find dusty dishes set on the table, a book open like it is waiting for a reader, and something hiding under the bed in the attic--and that is only one of the five scary stories with unexpected twists that are included in this collection.
This book is the first in a series of three. It's pretty creepy so I would suggest it for readers 8 and up. My 7.5 year old grandson read this book over and over again until he told me to take it back, "This book creeped me out, Mimi!"
- Karen G
Creepy carrots!
Aaron Reynolds
jE Reynolds
Picture Books
The carrots that grow in Crackenhopper Field are the fattest and crispiest around and Jasper Rabbit cannot resist pulling some to eat each time he passes by, until he begins hearing and seeing creepy carrots wherever he goes.
I love this book! It's so cute and perfect for Halloween! If you like this book by Aaron Reynolds, check out 'Creepy Pair of Underwear,' also by Reynolds.
- Karen G
The good, the bad, and the spooky
Jory John
j394.2646 John
Picture Books
When Bad Seed cannot find an amazing costume for Halloween night, he postpones trick-or-treating for everyone else until he finds the perfect one.
The house in the night
Susan Marie Swanson
jE Swanson
Picture Books
Illustrations and easy-to-read text explore the light that makes a house in the night a home filled with light.
This is a beautiful book with a simple and poetic story. A calming way to end after reading the spookier stories.
- Karen G
In a dark, dark room, and other scary stories
Alvin Schwartz
jREADER Schwartz, Alvin
Early Readers
Seven scary stories to tell at night in front of a fire or in the dark, based on traditional stories and folktales from various countries.
The dark
Lemony Snicket
jE Snicket
Picture Books
Laszlo is afraid of the dark which lives in the same big, creaky house as him, until one night the dark pays him a visit.
This book can be helpful for any child afraid of the dark.
- Karen G
The teeny-tiny woman : a ghost story
Paul Galdone
jE Galdone
Picture Books
Retells the tale of the teeny-tiny woman who finds a teeny-tiny bone in a churchyard and puts it away in her cupboard before she goes to sleep.
Bone soup : a spooky, tasty tale
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
j394.2646 Capucilli
Picture Books
"In this version of the classic tale, Stone soup, three witches are looking for a tasty treat on Halloween morning and they find only a small bone in their cupboard. So they decide to go from door to door in their village to find just the right ingredients for their bone soup"--
The 13 nights of Halloween
Guy Vasilovich
j394.2646 Vasilovich
Picture Books
A Halloween version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" featuring macabre gifts such as icky eyeballs, demons dancing, and thirsty vampires.
You will not regret checking this book out! mwha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
- Karen G
This is a fun and quirky story! I love it!
- Karen G