While designing Nori’s nursery, I knew I wanted to have a wall dedicated to her books. A little corner in her room where we could curl up and read together each night. Once this wall came to life, it was primarily used to display books gifted to her by family and friends. I knew at some point I wanted to change up the display for books centered around the current season or holiday. It’s a creative way to celebrate the holidays while also helping foster a love for reading at an early age. With fall arriving, what better time to start than Halloween?
I’ve rounded up some of my top children books for the spooky season. I don’t really follow strict guidelines when it comes to books recommended for “babies” or “specific ages”. While I do make sure to have baby-friendly books available, I also enjoy purchasing ones that may be intended for slightly older children. This allows the book to grow with her rather than having a collection full of baby books that she will quickly outgrow.
The books below are a collection of recent purchases and books obtained from the library. For parents interested in building a seasonal/holiday book collection, I highly recommend buying a couple of books each year and renting the rest from your local library. This will allow you to slowly grow your collection without breaking the bank.
For each book mentioned below, clicking the title will redirect you to Amazon if you wish to purchase any of them.
Happy Reading!
Halloween night has come to Pug and Pig’s house, and the darling duo is sporting matching costumes. The costumes are cozy. They glow in the dark. And they have masks! There’s only one problem—Pug hates wearing his. So he decides to rip it up and stay home. But Halloween just isn’t any fun for Pig without Pug! Can Pug find a way to be a good friend and get back into the Halloween spirit?
2. Goblin Moon
Snuggle up and enjoy this impish tale perfect for little goblins everywhere. With rhyming text and Jackie’s signature style of illustration, fans of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom and Linda D. Williams’s The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything will be captivated by this spirited story just right for reading aloud.
Written in super-simple rhyme, little boys and ghouls will giggle with glee at this ever-so-slightly spooky board book starring Things One and Two dressing up in classic Halloween costumes–including ghosts, bats, skeletons, black cats, and pumpkins! It’s a sweet Halloween treat and a great way to introduce babies and toddlers to the world of Dr. Seuss!
Little Baby Mummy wants just one more game of hide-and-shriek with Big Mama Mummy before bedtime. The night is deep and dark, full of friendly creatures that click their clacky teeth and whoosh past on flippy-floppy wings. But who will comfort Little Baby Mummy if a small, scritchy-scratchy someone gives him a scare? Big Mama Mummy, of course! Fresh, comical illustrations complement this everso- slightly suspenseful story with a satisfying ending.
From two cats waltzing to twenty cats in a conga line, dancing felines take to the streets, the fire escapes, and the rooftops in this charming concept picture book that is part counting and part introduction to music, dance, and rhythm. The short rhyming text makes it a perfect read-aloud treat, and with vivid illustrations from a breakout DreamWorks animator, readers and listeners alike will be thrilled to see what happens one night on Easy Street when a pair of cats start to groove to the beat.
A rhyming picture book with humor and heart that’s a wonderful bedtime addition for the “little monster” in your life. Includes illustrations from bestselling author/illustrator Ashley Spires of The Most Magnificent Thing.Even monsters have to go to sleep. But before little trolls turn out the light and werewolves settle in to dream, there’s fur to be brushed, pajamas to find, and moons that need howling. So grab your cuddly critter and snuggle in for this new bedtime tradition.
Bonaparte is having a tough time. It’s hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can’t keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flyer. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Black Widow, and Mummicula all have some boneheaded ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?
Mouse is excited for fall because that means it is time to decorate pumpkins! But one is missing. Where could it have gone?
It’s Halloween! What will little Pookie decide to be this year? Pookie tries on costumes one by one, but somehow can’t find just the right thing. The resolution to Pookie’s dilemma will delight toddlers and their caregivers alike. Told and illustrated with Sandra Boynton’s celebrated charm and pizzazz, Spooky Pookie has all the makings of a beloved Halloween classic. Boo!
Goslings are on the prowl in this holiday board book from the popular Gossie&Friends series! While Gossie, Gertie, Peedie, and BooBoo are tricking and treating, Ollie is thinking about how sharing is better than scaring. With shiny foil on the cover, a gentle Halloween story, and Olivier Dunrea’s signature adorable artwork, this book is the perfect one to share with the littlest trick-or-treaters this October!
Count with the pumpkins from one to five as they each experience the fun and spookiness of Halloween night! Spot-laminated pumpkins shine on the cover of this spirited padded board book.
12. You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie
With adorable illustrations, shaped cutouts, and raised elements, You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie is a sweet board book to share with your little one. With chunky pages for little hands and die-cut shapes to add depth and interest, children will love the interactive features alongside the story. This endearing board book is a wonderful read for Halloween or any time.
13. Trick or Treat in Virginia: A Halloween Adventure In The Old Dominion State
** My favorite Halloween book this season. Highly recommend for those who reside in Virginia. I believe the publisher also makes this same book for other states as well **
An unexpected visitor arrives in town! But who is he? What is he? Where did he come from? Readers will learn the answers to all these questions as they watch the mysterious visitor travel through places they know and love in Virginia! Come along and celebrate an unforgettable Halloween night!
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
15. One, Two, Boo
The littlest trick-or-treaters can lift the flaps to count their way through a spooky old house . . . but they had better be prepared for a few surprises! With a die-cut cover, adorable illustrations, and a flap on every page, this sturdy little board book is the perfect Halloween gift for trick-or-treaters everywhere.
16. Plume
In this lovely book, young readers are introduced to a variety of beautiful birds, from the familiar chicken to the exotic ibis. But lurking in the background of every page is a cat, who also seems very interested in the birds. With its funny illustrations and engaging concepts, this clever counting book will invite readers to linger over every page.
17. Goodnight, Goon
Goodnight tomb. Goodnight goon. Goodnight Martians taking over the moon.
It’s bedtime in the cold gray tomb with a black lagoon, and two slimy claws, and a couple of jaws, and a skull and a shoe and a pot full of goo. But as a little werewolf settles down, in comes the Goon determined at all costs to run amok and not let any monster have his rest.
18. Five Little Pumpkins Came Back
The sun is setting and the moon is rising—join the pumpkins on a Halloween romp as they roll along with their friends and get into more spooky fun in this sturdy Halloween board book, perfect for little hands!
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus is a humorous Halloween-themed version of the classic song The Wheels on the Bus…with a few ghoulish tricks and treats up its sleeves! Count from One Spooky Bus up to Ten Goofy Ghosts as this Halloween ride races through town picking up a few unsuspecting passengers along the way.
2 Comments
Jill
September 27, 2020 at 5:48 pmOmg!! I loveeeee last year’s spooky book book, with the webs😍😍😍 so cute!
bmyers_07
September 27, 2020 at 11:36 pmAw, thank you Jill!