One of the greatest and spookiest family-friendly holidays is just a couple of weeks away! We are thrilled and sometimes legitimately terrified by the Halloween decorations all over our neighborhood (what is with the giant spiders, people?!) and we are busy collecting candy and putting the finishing touches on our costumes… but if you are looking for more literary ways to get into the Halloween spirit, check out some of our favorite Halloween picture books below. You can still get them at Amazon of course (affiliate links below) or find them at the Brooklyn Public Library. (Or you can always check your local independent bookstore!)
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Stephen Savage
In this Halloween countdown book, ten orange pumpkins are each carried off by a witch, a ghost, a spider, and other Halloween creatures until there’s just one. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown
Carrots are orange just like pumpkins, but they never seemed especially creepy to me, until now… Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library
Frankenstein: A Monstrous Parody by Rick Walton
A Madeline-parody with little monsters in two straight lines. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
Sometimes you just need a monstrously good laugh, and this is a great collection of funny poetry and silly monsters to make all your little ghouls and goblins howl with laughter. From the struggles of Frankenstein to get some lunch, to the travails of the Phantom of the Opera getting annoying songs stuck in his head, this is a sure-fire hit for Halloween humor. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
An interactive story about a brave woman who encounters some really scary things in the woods. So fun to read and the surprise ending is great! Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming
This short story sets the mood for Halloween. It starts out “Yellow Moon, Rising Soon” and goes on to describes different sounds and sight associated with Halloween. Just great for getting the children excited about Halloween. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
Perfect for Halloween story-time with the three year-olds. In this story the pages are actually cut into the shape of a monster and as the pages are turned the children first create the monster and then say good bye to pieces of the monster until the monster is gone entirely. Great story to reassure young children that although monsters give the shivers, it is all just good fun on Halloween. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A witch wants to make a pumpkin pie for Halloween but can’t pull the pumpkin off the vine. DRAT! What about her friends who want to eat the pie, can they help? See what a little cooperation does. Find it at Amazon.
Over In the Hollow by Rebecca Dickinson
Like Over in the Meadow, an Appalachian folk song, this rhyming counting book features ghosts, skeletons and vampires as well as other Halloween characters. Find at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library (eBook only)
One Witch by Laura Leuck
A rhyming book about a witch who invites all her ghastly friends to a party, in her invitations she requests the ingredients for her witch’s brew. “(Everybody loved it too!) They saved the last bowl just for…YOU!” Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
Just a Minute: a Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales
The Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey
It’s the story of Oscar the dachshund, who dresses up as a hot dog for Halloween, endures teasing from his doggy pals, and saves the day! Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.
The Monsters’ Monster by Patrick McDonnell
Three naughty monsters work together to create the “baddest” monster ever, but end up rethinking what it really means to be a monster when they finally get to know their new creation. Find it at Amazon / Brooklyn Public Library.