Share a not-so-spooky story with your little ghouls and goblins. Find stories here that are more funny than frightening.
advertisementby Mark Sonali Fry
Dora is searching for a Halloween costume and wants your child to help her find the spookiest outfit. This sturdy board book features brightly colored illustrations and an interactive storyline that will appeal to preschoolers and reinforce problem-solving skills. Familiar characters help ease kids' fears of Halloween and highlight how much fun you can have being spooky.
advertisementby Marion Dane Bauer and William C. Wolff
While handing out candy on Halloween, our young narrator encounters lots of trick-or-treaters in "scary" costumes. The final page provides the kid-friendly climax as we see the narrator is actually a little werewolf afraid of the children. Kids will love the lively pop-ups and flaps and the anticipation of revealing each creepy costume, not to mention the playful punch line in this lighthearted offering.
advertisementby Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
If your child is progressing past early readers, introduce her to the tag team Ivy and Bean. In this second installment of the series, the pair concocts a ghostly story that quickly spirals out of control. Filled with pitch-perfect kid humor, pencil illustrations, and large print, this not-so-spooky adventure will have your kids howling.
advertisementby W. Nikola-Lisa
Favorite fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters are throwing a hip-hop Halloween ball, and your child is invited to join the fun. This is no bedtime story, as it will have your kids dancing and hopping to its raucous, rhyming beat. Younger and older kids can't help joining in on the catchy refrain and may hop up to shake their own Halloween bones.
advertisementby Rosemary Wells
Rosemary Well's classic characters come to life as they hop down the street to trick-or-treat. Max ends up hatching a plan to trick Ruby and claim his share of the treats. Younger trick-or-treaters will be enchanted by this tale starring the characters they love on Nick Jr. Large print and engaging illustrations will keep them following along.
advertisementby Marisa Montes and Yuyi Morales
This award-winning book provides a new take on Halloween tales incorporating both Spanish and English in its engaging stanzas. Yuyi Morales' lush illustrations provide a wonderfully muted and slightly macabre look at Halloween's surreal sights. Older children will be enthralled by this story, but use discretion with younger audiences as it might be too intense. Though the Spanish words are generally self-explanatory, there is a glossary in the back of the book complete with pronunciation guide.
advertisementby Harriet Ziefert
A pair of witches meets up with their Halloween friends in this colorful counting book. Each page brings a new friend to the group until there are ten trick-or-treaters. Preschoolers will be practicing counting and basic addition as they follow along with the simple rhymes. The story is punctuated with watercolor illustrations that stand out against the dark background, making this counting lesson even more fun. The book also includes Halloween stickers.
advertisementby Natasha Wing
'Twas the night before Halloween, and all through the house, all the creatures were stirring, except for the mouse. Your kids will get a kick out of the famous Christmas poem re-imagined for Halloween. Follow along as the goblins and ghosts get ready to celebrate their favorite night of the year. This silly story, paired with equally zany illustrations, will provoke giggles and guffaws from kids and adults alike.
advertisementby Abby Klein
This spooky installment of Scholastic's "Ready, Freddy" series is a real page-turner whether it is read aloud or alone. Aimed at the 4 to 8 range, Freddy and his school friends must solve the mystery of a pumpkin elf that has come to visit their classroom for Halloween. Full of mischievous fun and kid-friendly clues, plus a satisfying surprise ending.
advertisementby Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
The Berenstain Bears are back in a Halloween adventure. The bear cubs are bounding out to trick-or-treat but are wary of Miz McGrizz's seemingly haunted house. Of course appearances can be deceiving, and like all the books in this classic series, everyone learns a lesson while having fun along the way. A great addition to your Berenstain Bear collection or any home library.
