11 Absolutely Adorable Halloween Books for Kids

A fun way to celebrate a holiday with your little one is with a festive book! There are lots of cute Halloween books for kids out there, and we’ve selected some of the best.

Whether your child is just starting to get into books, or a bit older and pretending to read them on her own, the books below will keep her entertained. While they feature ghosts, goblins, and spooky jack-o’-lanterns, none are too scary to read at bedtime.

Reading a book together isn’t just a special bonding experience, it’s also a really great way to teach your kids new words and expand their minds. It’s a bonus if the book is about a fun holiday like Halloween!

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills

Everyone knows the classic nursery rhyme The Wheels on the Bus. You’ve probably sung it so many times to your child, you hear it in your dreams.

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus is a Halloween take on the nursery rhyme that might even be better than the original. With some clever swaps, and adorable illustrations, this book breathes new life into the song.

You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall

Full of adorable illustrations, You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie is probably one of the cutest Halloween books ever. It also features shaped cutouts and raised illustrations, which amaze little ones to no end and keep them totally entranced while you’re reading.

There aren’t a lot of words, so it’s ideal for short attention spans.

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Shertle

There are several books in the Little Blue Truck series, but Little Blue Truck’s Halloween might be the best of them all. In this book, the little blue truck goes on a just-spooky-enough Halloween adventure, picking up his animal friends for a costume party.

It will make your kids want to put on their costumes ASAP.

How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green

It’s easy (and understandable) for little kids to be afraid of ghosts. But the sweet How to Make Friends with a Ghost might change their minds.

In this book, a little girl befriends a lonely ghost. It’s adorable and has beautiful illustrations. It also delivers a really important story about friendship and accepting someone for who they are on the inside.

Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht

One of the best fall activities pumpkin-picking and finding the perfect soon-to-be jack-o’-lantern. In Pick A Pumpkin, kids get to read about doing exactly that.

This book is beautifully illustrated. You’ll love reading it, and it’s an easy story that’s great for short attention spans.

Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex

Goodnight Moon is a beloved children’s classic, so the Halloween parody, Goodnight Goon, was almost an instant success.

Instead of saying goodnight to the cow jumping over the moon, three little bears sitting on chairs, or two little kittens, kids say goodnight to ghouls, Martians, and so much more. It’s perfectly spooky and adorable.

Babies Love Halloween by Scarlett Wing

If you’re reading to a baby, you know long stories and paper pages don’t really work. They rip the pages out or simply aren’t interested.

That’s why Babies Love Halloween is perfect for very little ones. It’s a board book they can’t easily destroy. It has chunky flaps your child will love opening with his tiny fingers.

B Is for Boo by Greg Paprocki

Greg Paprocki has a whole series of retro-style board book alphabet primers, and B is for Boo is an especially good one.

It’s not a story, but it’s educational, and perfect for kids who are still learning the alphabet. The drawings are so cute, it’ll make you feel nostalgic for your childhood Halloweens.

Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler

Another really cute Halloween story about friendship and accepting people is Bonaparte Falls Apart. Bonaparte is trying to deal with the fact that he’s a skeleton and gets a little help from his monster and ghoul friends.

It’s a sweet story with the cutest illustrations, and it also teaches important lessons about friendship and self-confidence.

Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton

There are lots of Little Pookie books, and our favorite is Spooky Pookie. It’s a good story for little babies because it’s short, easy to read, and full of colorful illustrations. Pookie has to try on different costumes to find the perfect one.

It’s super-relatable for little kids. Plus, it’s small, so it’s perfect for little hands.

Zen Ghosts by Jon J. Muth

The best kids’ books are fun to read, full of beautiful illustrations, and deliver a great message. The Stillwater the Panda books by Jon J. Muth are about a panda teaching his new neighbors Zen lessons about life and philosophy.

Zen Ghosts combines ideas from Zen Buddhism and our perception of reality with a traditional Japanese ghost story. Younger kids will love the gorgeous illustrations, while older kids will love discussing the philosophical questions the story raises.