The Best Classic Halloween Books, Plus What’s Trending This Year

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We love promoting literacy for children of all ages, and what better way to add extra titles to your library than with a good theme? Halloween is around the corner, and if you’re looking for spooky or just plain silly you will find something for everyone on this list of Halloween books for kids.
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Many of these classics will bring back memories of nostalgic stories and characters from your own childhood, a great way to bond with your own children. If you’re looking for something a little more modern, we also have suggestions for Halloween books for kids that are trending this year. All books are linked to Amazon for quick and easy purchase. Have fun exploring!
Our Top Picks:
Best Classic 60s Halloween Book - Clifford’s Halloween
Best Classic 70s Halloween Book - The Spooky Old Tree
Best Classic 80s Halloween Book - The Biggest Pumpkin Ever
Best Classic Monster Book - The Monster at the End of This Book
Best Interactive Classic Halloween Book - The Little Old Lady who was not Afraid of Anything
Best Spooky Classic Halloween Book - Scary, Scary Halloween
Best Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Book - What Was I Scared Of?
Best Halloween Book based on a TV Special - It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
Best Scary Halloween Book - In the Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories
Best Rhyming Halloween Book - Room on the Broom
Best Halloween Book Based on a Song - The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
Best Book About Halloween Activities - Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever
Best Halloween Book With a Lesson - The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat
Best Toddler Halloween Book - Five Little Pumpkins
Best Halloween Board Book - The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin
The Silliest Halloween Book - There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat
Best Engaging Halloween Book - Lift-a-flap Boo
Best Halloween Book About Kindness - The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Best Halloween Baby Book - Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
Best Halloween Activity Book - I Spy Halloween Book for Kids
2020 Trending Character Halloween Book - Pete the Cat Trick or Treat Pete
2020 Trending Halloween Book from a Series - Pout-Pout Fish: Haunted House
2020 Best Halloween Joke Book - Try Not to Laugh: Halloween Edition
2020 Newest Halloween Release - When the Clock Strikes on Halloween
2020 Cute Halloween Story - Skeleton for Dinner
What to Consider When Purchasing Halloween Books for Kids
- Book Material - Do you have a young toddler who would do better with a sturdy board book? Many classic stories also come in board book format. Avoid giving paper pages to younger children if you want your book to last longer than one season.
- Age-Appropriate Content - Especially considering the spooky nature of some Halloween themes, make sure that the book content is appropriate for the age of your child. Keep things fun and light to avoid unnecessary anxiety around make-believe scenarios unless your child is old enough to decipher between reality and fantasy.
- Ratio of Text to Illustrations - Depending on the age of your child, are there enough illustrations to keep them engaged? Young readers can utilize the pictures to help create a more well rounded story, and pre-readers can do a “picture walk” to discern what is happening even before they can read the words. Confident readers also appreciate quality illustrations that help break up the reading.
Halloween Books Trending for 2020