10 Favorite Halloween Picture Books

Cindy Samul
If you are looking for some great picture books for the spooky time of year I highly recommend any of these. Some are old, some are newish and most should be available at your local library or favorite book store. (Listed in no particular order)

1) Sir Simon: Super Scarer

by Cale Atkinson | ages 4-7



Sir Simon: Super Scarer is the story of a professional ghost who has been transferred to his first house (he was getting tired of haunting bus stops and forests and potatoes). This first ghost narrative is part snarky comedy, part feel-good tale. It's not surprising to learn that the illustrator, Cale Atkinson, is also an animator. Sir Simon has all the humor, pacing and energy of a good cartoon. 


2) The Little Kitten

by Nicola Killen | ages 4-8


I really love the work of Nicola Killen and The Little Kitten is my favorite (so far). The beautifully crafted story and artwork combine to make an adorable fall book. There are subtle Halloween elements but not at all scary—perfect for even the youngest of readers. I highly recommend getting a hold of a hard copy, there are some nice print embellishments that make this delightful book even more special.


3) There's a Ghost in this House

by Oliver Jeffers | ages 3-8


You can always count on Oliver Jeffers for something unique and creative. In this book, a young girl takes you on a tour of her big spooky house to help search for ghosts. Through the use of transparent pages, friendly ghosts appear to the reader but remain unseen to the girl. There's a Ghost in this House is a fun, tactile read. The house is a little eerie but it should be fine for most young readers.


4) Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich

by Adam Rex | ages 6-10


No Halloween book list is complete without Adam Rex's Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich. Rex's art brings to "life" this collection of humorous rhyming poems about famous monsters. This is a good one for kids who read on their own. I'm guessing the 7-10 age group will best appreciate the macabre humor—especially if they are already into monsters.


5) Zen Ghosts

by Jon J. Muth | ages 4-8


Stillwater the Panda returns with a promise of a mysterious story after trick-or-treating. Zen Ghosts is a beautiful contemplative story with masterful watercolor illustrations to match.


6) Creepy Pair of Underwear!

by Aaron Reynolds | illustrated by Peter Brown | ages 4-8


This is a fun (and just a little creepy) story of a brave rabbit and a very weird pair of underwear. What I like about Creepy Pair of Underwear! is that the illustrator uses multiple panels to help tell the story. It reads more like a graphic novel. I think it's a great book to introduce young readers to the format. And, you can follow up with Creepy Carrots! and Creepy Crayon!

7) If You Find a Leaf

by Aimée Sicuro | ages 3-5


In If You Find a Leaf a young artist's imagination is sparked by the leaves she finds. Illustrator Aimée Sicuro creatively and skillfully incorporates real leaves into her artwork — no doubt inspiring readers to notice and collect their own leaves. If You Find a Leaf includes a leaf glossary and a "how-to" at the end making this already wonderful book, a fantastic fall project book.

8) The Widow's Broom

by Chris Van Allsburg | ages 4-7


Most people are familiar with Chris Van Allsburg's Jumanji and The Polar Express, but equally wonderful is The Widow's Broom. This supernatural story, about a very unusual broom, is perfectly served by Van Allsburg's moody, haunting illustration style. The Widow's Broom is a little longer than typical picture books so it's ideal for bedtime reading. The story itself contains a bit of mystery that will be fun to work out with young readers.


9) Leo: A Ghost Story

by Marc Barnett | illustrated by Christian Robinson | ages 4-6


Leo: A Ghost Story is a scare-free story of friendship, acceptance and belonging. Christian Robinson's innocent, open-hearted illustration style is an ideal match for this moving story—lovely for younger readers any time of the year.


10) One Monster After Another

by Mercer Mayer | ages 6-8


I saved this one for last because it's an old book and will be a little harder to track down. One Monster After Another is superbly illustrated by award-winning children's book author/illustrator Mercer Mayer. It is full of humorous monsters all trying to intercept Sally Ann's letter to her best friend. Kids love this book so it may be worth seeking out (though you might have to explain what a letter is).

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