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Baby & Toddler

Pre-K

Going Fright-Free: 13 Halloween Books for Little Pumpkins

by Dena McMurdie

not-so-scary-halloween-books

Background credit: JamieJayArtist, iStock/Getty Images Plus

Are you looking for Halloween books that won’t frighten the tiniest of trick-or-treaters? If so, I’ve got you covered! From board books to picture books, these reads for babies, toddlers, and pre-schoolers alike are a surefire way to get your little monsters into the Halloween spirit without giving them nightmares.

Babies & Toddlers

The Very Busy Spider

The Very Busy Spider

by Eric Carle

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Spiders have long been a symbol of Halloween! In this classic book, a little spider diligently spins her web, undeterred by the farm animals that try to distract her. It’s just the right amount of creepy-crawly for little readers, but for an extra Halloween treat, check out Happy Halloween from The Very Busy Spider.

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One, Two…Boo!

One, Two…Boo!

by Kristen L. Depken, illustrated by Claudine Gevry

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Little readers count their way through a spooky house, lifting flaps and finding a few bats, ghosts, and witch’s brooms along the way. This fun board book is the perfect treat for those still too little for candy.

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Dr. Seuss’s Spooky Things

Dr. Seuss’s Spooky Things

by Dr. Seuss, illustrated by Tom Brannon

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There’s no world like the world of Dr. Seuss, and the littlest of readers will love to observe Thing One and Thing Two dress up in classic Halloween costumes. With bright colors and simple rhymes, this board book is a Halloween hit.

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Pumpkin Patch Party (Sesame Street)

Pumpkin Patch Party (Sesame Street)

by Stephanie St. Pierre, illustrated by Joel Schick

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From another friendly and familiar world, Pumpkin Patch Party has all kinds of surprises to discover under the liftable flaps, and is sure to inspire giggles from babies and toddlers alike.

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Pop-Up Peekaboo! Monsters

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Monsters

by DK

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Little readers will love lifting the flaps to discover adorable little monsters playing hide-and-seek. The creepy critters are all styled to look like stuffed toys, making them appear to seemingly jump off the page.

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Pre-K

Halloween, Here I Come!

Halloween, Here I Come!

by D.J. Steinberg, illustrated by Laurie Stansfield

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First-time trick-or-treaters will delight in this playful collection of poems that celebrate the joys of Halloween. From choosing a costume to sorting candy, bright illustrations and upbeat rhymes walk kids through the most fun and festive moments of Halloween night.

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Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo!

Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo!

by Tad Hills

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Get ready for another charming Duck & Goose adventure as they gear up for Halloween. Duck is a ghost and Goose is a superhero, but both are terrified of the swamp monster searching for them. Should they be?

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We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House

We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House

by Mr. Kreib, illustrated by R.W. Alley

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When a group of kids set out on Halloween night to find the witch’s house, they come across a host of creatures like a skittle-skattling skeleton and the herky-jerky Frankenstein along the way. Colorful illustrations and a singsong-like rhythm make this the perfect Halloween read-aloud.

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Room on the Broom

Room on the Broom

by Julie Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler

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Join the witch as she makes friends with one animal after another and learns that sharing can bring unexpected results. With rollicking rhyme and a surprise ending, this story is a hit with tiny book lovers.

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We’re Going on a Goon Hunt

We’re Going on a Goon Hunt

by Michael Rex

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This spooky-silly parody of the perennial kids’ favorite, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, is a Halloween delight. Ever-so-creepy illustrations pair with hilarious rhyming text about a family that treks through graveyards, swamps, and pumpkin patches in search of a goon.

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Go to Sleep, Little Creep

Go to Sleep, Little Creep

by David Quinn, illustrated by Ashley Spires

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A bedtime read full of adorable little monsters and their patient parents, Go to Sleep, Little Creep plays out the full range of nighttime routines for mummies, werewolves, trolls, and more. Giggle-inducing and oh-so-relatable, it’s sure to be a read-aloud favorite.

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Ghost in the House

Ghost in the House

by Ammi Joan Paquett

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Preschoolers can practice their counting skills in this ghoulishly fun story set in a haunted house. First a ghost bumps into a mummy, then the two of them bump into a monster — and on it goes, until the unexpected ending.

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Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma

Ladybug Girl and the Dress-up Dilemma

by Jacky Davis, illustrated by David Soman

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Lulu dresses up as Ladybug Girl every day, but what costume should she wear for Halloween? While picking pumpkins and going on a hayride, Lulu contemplates her dilemma, until the just-right answer finally presents itself.

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More Halloween Stories for Little Monsters

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Pumpkin

Pop-Up Peekaboo! Pumpkin

by DK

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Trick or Treat on My Street

Trick or Treat on My Street

by J. L. Coppage, illustrated by Melanie Matthews

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Shivery Shades of Halloween

Shivery Shades of Halloween

by Mary McKenna Siddals, illustrated by Jimmy Pickering

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And Then Comes Halloween

And Then Comes Halloween

by Tom Brenner, illustrated by Holly Meade

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Editor’s note: This post was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2020.