13 Frightfully Fun Stories To Get Your Kids in the Halloween Spirit
by Devon A. Corneal
Get ready for goblins, witches, ghosts, and great Halloween reads! From silly stories to terrific tales with just the right amount of fright, these spook-tacular books are sure to get your little trick-or-treater excited for the big night. So don’t be scared — get reading!
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There’s a Ghost In This House
Available from:Help a little girl search her home for ghosts in this one-of-a-kind picture book. With transparent overlays, Oliver Jeffers’s signature humor, and quirky illustrations, this unique and humorous picture book will get you into the Halloween spirit before you can say, “Boo!” Both you and your child will want to read it again and again.
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Dino-Zombies!
Available from:These zombies don’t eat brains — they eat candy! And lots of it. Kids obsessed with trick-or-treating will love this early reader book about a spooky troop of zombie dinosaurs hunting for candy. With its vibrant illustrations and silly characters, it will have your child counting down the days until Halloween.
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Vlad, the Fabulous Vampire
Available from:Vlad the vampire’s bright pink cheeks make him look almost alive! Cursed with such a shocking appearance, Vlad does everything he can to look more dead. This adorable and humorous picture book is perfect for kids who love Halloween, secrets, and surprises!
Also check out Gustavo, the Shy Ghost and Leila, the Perfect Witch.
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Diary of an Accidental Witch: New Girl
Available from:Young readers will love this charming early chapter book series about a girl who mistakenly ends up in a witch school. Follow her adventures at school and home as she tries to learn spells and keep her new skills a secret. The diary-style narration and plentiful black-and-white illustrations make this book an excellent pick for newly independent readers.
Readers can also enjoy Halloween Ball, Flying High, and Secret Spells.
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In the Dark
Available from:When a group of newcomers appears in the dark woods, everyone thinks they’re witches. But one little girl refuses to let prejudice cloud her judgment and goes to meet them. This book shares a beautiful message about first impressions and open-mindedness when faced with something new.
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The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo!
Available from:This picture book is a must-read if you love classic Halloween stories like Room on the Broom and Tilly Witch. Written in rhyme and accompanied by energetic illustrations, this upbeat story will be a seasonal read-aloud favorite for readers young and old.
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Bonaparte Falls Apart
Available from:This sweet, silly, and not-too-scary story makes a fun addition to seasonally-themed storytimes. Bonaparte, a skeleton, is having a tough time keeping himself together. Literally. Thankfully, he has some good friends — including Franky Stein, Black Widow, and Mummicula — to help him out.
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She Made a Monster
Available from:The whole family will be fascinated to learn the story of how Mary Shelley, at 19 years old, created the legendary monster of Frankenstein. (Did you know it started out as a contest between friends to write the best ghost story?) A visually gorgeous picture book biography, this one’s a year-round must-have.
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Shiver-by-the-Sea #1: Bella and the Vampire
Available from:Kids who can’t get enough hair-raising thrills will want to crack the spine on the first book in this spooky series. It’s about two friends who help supernatural creatures in any way they can. Whether they’re helping a young vampire find his family or realizing that a new puppy is a werewolf, Bella and Cooper have no shortage of spooky fun in store.
Don't forget to check out book #2, The Were-woof.
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What Was I Scared Of? A Glow-in-the-Dark Encounter
Available from:Even the bravest of us can agree there is something just a little bit creepy about being followed around by a pair of pale green pants with nobody inside them. A fun book to read around Halloween, it's made even better by the glow-in-the-dark pages.
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How to Make Friends with a Ghost
Available from:This whimsical guidebook to lifelong friendship presents a few essentials to keep in mind when befriending a ghost. Perhaps most importantly: make sure no one mistakes your new friend for a marshmallow! Charming and sweet, this one’s great during any season.
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Amelia Fang and the Barbaric Ball
Available from:Amelia Fang tries to be nice to the Prince of Nocturnia, a land where all things sparkly are the stuff of “daymares,” but he’s just so mean! Enough is enough when the spoiled prince claims her beloved pet pumpkin, Squashy, as his own. Filled with hilarious puns, quirky characters, and wonderful illustrations, little monsters will love sinking their fangs into this delightfully creepy series.
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Children’s Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Monsters
Available from:Kids love to dress up as scary monsters for Halloween, but where did these magical beings come from? This book gives your own little monsters a chance to learn about the myths and legends behind the witches, werewolves, and vampires out roaming the streets on All Hallows' Eve.
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Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2023.