There’s something magical about turning the pages of a book and stepping into a world full of intrigue, adventure, and talking pumpkins. For kids, stories are more than entertainment; they offer a doorway into creativity.
From humorous Halloween books for kids to slightly spooky reads for confident young readers, the best books this time of year go beyond ghosts and ghouls. They help children explore emotions, face fears, and embrace creativity, all while enjoying colorful characters and playful plots. If you are searching for children stories that light up little eyes and become bedtime favorites, you are in the right place.
Here are the 10 best children’s books for Halloween in 2025, chosen to make reading time a little more magical:
1. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
This book follows Jasper Rabbit as he worries that his favorite reward, carrots, is being used against him. Jasper consumes carrots constantly because he loves them so much. Traveling to school, Little League, returning home, etc. One day, though, the carrots begin to follow him! Or do they?
Jasper soon begins to hear and see carrots everywhere he goes. But as he turns around, there is nothing there! Poor Jasper is going insane with the notion of carrots following him, so he devises a strategy to end his carrot issues.
Will Jasper’s strategy to get the carrots off his back succeed? Or was everything just in his head all along? Children will be on the edge of their seats while reading this one of the best Halloween books for kids till they find out!
2. Turkey Trick or Treat by Wendi Silvano
It is one of the best children’s books for Halloween for a reason. It’s Halloween night, and Turkey and his friends are watching the children receive treats from Farmer Jake. The friends conclude that it’s unjust that although the kids can enjoy goodies, they cannot. Turkey is so skilled at creating costumes that the group decides he should attempt dressing up to win them goodies.
Turkey arrives at Farmer Ben’s house disguised as a ghost. Farmer Ben immediately recognizes Turkey when he answers the door. He sends Turkey on his way after explaining that treats are not for Turkeys. The pals aren’t prepared to give up, though. Turkey disguises herself as a superhero, a ballerina, and even a pirate. Every time he goes to see a new farmer, however, they always send Turkey away.
As the evening draws to a close, Turkey finally has an idea. He makes his way to the home of Mable Mayberry. Squinting over her glasses, Mable marvels at the turkey costume before her. She gives Turkey the rest of her goodies because she believes it is the greatest costume she has ever seen!
3. Click, Clack, Boo by Doreen Cronin
At the same time, the farm animals are being read to for the barn’s Halloween celebration. When the animals make their way to the festivities, Farmer Brown hears a variety of disturbances at night. He gets increasingly afraid every time he hears a disturbance, and one of them approaches and knocks on the door!
However, when Farmer Brown hears a “quackle,” he gets out of bed and rushes to the door. He discovers his candy bowl is empty and receives a message inviting him to the party instead. Farmer Brown wins the best costume award when he arrives at the party dressed in his pajamas!
4. The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky by Jory John
A must-read children’s book for Halloween. The Bad Seed is feeling the Halloween pressure. Everyone has a costume ready—except him. Since Halloween is his favorite holiday, this leads to grumpiness, drama, and ultimately, a heartfelt realization that it’s okay to be yourself.
He has experimented with several concepts, but none of them have worked out perfectly. The seed desires something unique, remarkable, and flawless.
The seed decides he needs to postpone Halloween since he is stressed out about coming up with the ideal costume. He makes the decision to deceive everyone into believing that Halloween has been rescheduled for the next evening. He warns them that a large storm and a horde of squirrels that consume seeds are approaching! As a result, he will have extra time to think about the ideal costume.
5. Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
Come meet Crankenstein! It’s impossible to kill this little grumpy monster. He might look like any other boy, but there is always something about him that makes you want to turn on your heel and walk away from whatever is bothering or challenging you at the time, whether it’s the rain outside, a popsicle that’s melting in the fridge (or worse), being forced to go to bed early…you get the idea.
When discussing attitudes about the circumstances that children face, this is a fantastic story. It’s hilarious and goofy, but children’s books for Halloween convey a powerful message of maximizing time and finding solutions to problems. In the end, you might become friends.
There is an important lesson we can learn from Crankenstein, though: no matter how grumpy we are, there is always a way to make things better.
6. Don’t Push the Button! A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter
A Halloween Treat is the Halloween sequel to the first novel. Don’t Push the Button! is a funny story about a small creature who is attempting to resist the urge to press a large red button. In this Halloween story for children, the button he is attempting to avoid pushing is actually the doorbell of a terrifying-looking house.
Children will roar with fun and excitement as they read this interactive book! Between ringing the doorbell, opening the door, and yelling “BOO!” at monsters, author Bill Cotter does a wonderful job of immersing his young readers in the story.
7. The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom!
The New York Times Bestselling authors of The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! present their latest children’s books for Halloween, The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom! The reader is first introduced to the Little Witch and her cat Gloom, whose name rhymes with Broom, as they wait for the full moon to rise before riding into the sky on her broom.
The artwork draws your eye with an assortment of autumn colors and a cute black kitten always by Little Witch’s side. But when she walks into the cabinet to get her broom, “there was NOTHING inside.” And that’s when the two start looking beneath the bed, in the closets, attic, and shed before they run out of time.
8. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
The wonderful story of Room on the Broom, one of the most beloved children’s books for Halloween, is full of magic, mischief, and valuable lessons. In this engaging story, a joyful witch loses her hat, bow, and eventually her wand after riding her broom over the sky.
A dog, a bird, and a frog graciously get each thing for her along the way, but they all beg for a ride in exchange. However, the broom gets a little more cluttered with each additional friend. Really, is there enough space for everyone? What will happen if they come upon a dragon who breathes fire and has a penchant for witch stew?
9. Snowmen at Halloween by Caralyn M. Buehner
Snowmen at Halloween is a charming addition to your collection of Halloween stories for kids, written by the same team who brought us Snowmen at Night, Snowmen at Work, and Snowmen at Play. This kind of Halloween picture book is a great seasonal read for the classroom or home, bringing to life the snowmen’s hidden exploits when no one is looking.
Just before Halloween, the story opens with an early snowfall. Before going to bed, a bunch of children construct snowmen with much excitement. But the true magic starts in these children’s books for Halloween when night falls.
With games, costumes, and lots of cold cheer, the snowmen come to life and throw their own joyous fall festival. When the youngsters returned the following morning, the snowmen vanished. However, they have left behind a pleasant surprise.
This book celebrates the power of imagination and creativity. It gently encourages young readers to imagine what might happen when they aren’t looking, making it a great conversation starter and tie-in to writing prompts or art projects.
10. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
Last, but not least, this is a fantastic Halloween read-aloud. The story is about a little old lady who isn’t afraid of anything, despite being followed home by some rather creepy clothing that has come to life.
It is one of those Halloween stories for children that encourages children not to be afraid of anything, even when things do seem terrifying at first glance, even though it isn’t very imaginative.
The way these children’s books for Halloween strike a mix between humor, resiliency, and mild suspense is refreshing. For young listeners, the pace and repetition keep them interested, and the escalation of eerie yet humorous components keeps kids laughing rather than alarmed. The old lady does not panic; she simply continues walking, demonstrating that even when strange and disturbing events occur, we always have a choice in how we respond.
When children are confronted with different situations in life, such as testing or anxiety, or when they are exposed to something that appears frightening at first, they can choose to feel the dread but proceed nevertheless, just like this brave little old lady.
Other Recommended Halloween Books for Kids
Are you looking for more fun-filled Halloween children’s books? You should add these kid-friendly books to your October library.
Boo! Baa, La La La! is a book by Sandra Boynton
This funny board book is a lot of fun for the littlest kids. Sandra Boynton’s funny animal sounds, charming rhymes, and soft Halloween surprises are all here. It is a fun way to introduce children’s books for Halloween to the young readers.
Christian McKay Heidicker’s Scary Stories for Young Foxes
This is an award-winning children’s book for Halloween that is very well written. It is best for older readers (ages 10–12) who are ready for stories with more depth. These kinds of children’s scary books look at themes of bravery, survival, and identity through a sequence of creepy stories that are all part of a greater story. It has exactly the right amount of terrifying stuff to keep thrill-seekers happy without going too far.
Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
Pumpkin Jack is a beautiful and educational Halloween story that combines both science and story. It shows how a jack-o’-lantern grows, decays, and then grows again. This pumpkin-themed children’s books mixes seasonal fun with natural science, making it a good choice for early elementary readers who like both stories and nature.
How to Catch a Monster, written by Adam Wallace and illustrated by Andy Elkerton
This Halloween edition of the classic “How to Catch” series is full of traps, laughter, and creative monster-chasing. These engaging children’s books for Halloween about bedtime anxieties will be fun for kids who like action-packed stories with big pictures.
Mercy Watson: Princess in Disguise by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
This is one of the greatest children’s books for Halloween for youngsters who are just starting to read. It has short chapters, funny parts, and engaging activities.
Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
This is a humorous Halloween parody of Goodnight Moon that replaces the peaceful room with a monster-filled tomb. Richly illustrated and eerie, it’s a great children’s book for Halloween for readers with a sense of humor when it comes to Halloween novels.
A World Full of Spooky Stories by Angela McAllister
Children are introduced to ghost stories and ghostly folklore from all across the world through this global compilation of spooky folktales. It’s a great book for older readers who want variation in their Halloween children’s books, and it’s best suited for readers 8 years old and up.
Poultrygeist by Eric Geron, illustrated by Pete Oswald
The pun-filled mayhem starts when a chicken crosses the street and turns into a ghost. These kinds of Halloween picture books have a wacky twist on Halloween and are incredibly creative and hilarious.
Franklin’s Halloween by Paulette Bourgeois
Follow Franklin the turtle as he wears a costume to a Halloween party. For toddlers and early readers who enjoy character-based series, it is one of the best children’s books for Halloween because of its warm setting and little tension.
Lane Fredrickson’s Monster Trouble!
Winifred only wants to get a decent night’s sleep; she isn’t scared of monsters. Among children’s scary books that are nevertheless appropriate for bedtime, this ingenious take on the classic monster narrative is endearing, powerful, and hilarious.
Erica Silverman’s Big Pumpkin
A witch attempts to take a giant pumpkin from the vine in this Halloween adaptation of a folktale. With the aid of iconic eerie figures, cooperation comes to the rescue. These entertaining children’s books for Halloween with a pumpkin theme are perfect for read-alouds in groups.
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago
Gustavo is a ghost who has trouble making friends in this beautifully drawn story. Among the more recent Halloween picture books, it’s a charming and profound option with themes of bravery and self-acceptance.
Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell
Ten amiable ghosts are scared away by a witch who moves into a haunted house in this counting story—until they band together to take back their home. For kids getting into the Halloween mood, this is one of the best children’s books for Halloween to count for learning.
Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson
Leo is a good-hearted ghost who merely wishes to befriend someone, but people keep fleeing. For children ages 4 to 8, this soothing story about acceptance, imagination, and friendship is perfect. Among Halloween picture books that offer more charm than chills, this one is a must-read because of its lovely artwork and endearing plot.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro
The eerie ensemble of this Halloween adaptation of the beloved “Old Lady” series includes owls and ghosts. For preschoolers and early readers who like amusing Halloween stories for children with well-known patterns, the repetitious, rhyming text is perfect.
Keep the Magic Alive with the Right Halloween Reads
Reading is an opportunity to discover new worlds, connect with characters, and spend quality time with others. With the right selection of children’s books for Halloween, you can introduce stories that are fun, thoughtful, and just the right amount of spooky.
Whether you’re looking for Halloween books for kids, the best Halloween books for toddlers, or beautifully illustrated Halloween picture books, these titles invite curiosity and creativity into every reading session. From light-hearted laughs to slightly spooky thrills, there’s something here for every young reader.
Keep discovering, keep reading, and let these Halloween children’s books become lasting favorites in your child’s growing library.
