Halloween is the perfect time to curl up with a good book! From friendly ghosts and silly monsters to pumpkin patches, costumes and trick-or-treating adventures, there are so many fun Halloween picture books to share with little readers.
We’ve rounded up a big collection of Halloween books for kids, including favourite characters, interactive board books, funny stories and not-so-spooky read-alouds. Whether you’re building a seasonal bookshelf, looking for a Halloween gift or choosing a new bedtime story, there’s something here for every little book lover.
For more cozy autumn reading, explore our Fall Picture Books for Kids roundup!
The Haunted Playground
by R. J. Palacio (Author), Brett Helquist (Illustrator)
When two children discover a playground filled with friendly ghosts on Halloween night, they’re invited into a world of supernatural fun. From the author of Wonder, this imaginative picture book offers just the right amount of spooky excitement for young readers.
Available in Hardcover format.
Aggie and the Ghost
by Matthew Forsythe (Author, Illustrator)
Aggie is thrilled to have a home of her own, until she discovers that it’s already occupied by a rather persistent ghost! Determined to make things work, she comes up with some house rules for her unexpected roommate. A wonderfully quirky story about friendship, boundaries and learning to get along.
Available in Hardcover format.
This Year, a Witch!
by Zoey Abbott (Author, Illustrator)
Tired of being dressed in cute Halloween costumes, one determined little girl decides that this year will be different. This year, she’s going to be a witch! With a little help from Dad, she sets out to become the spookiest witch around, but might end up scaring even herself. A playful, beautifully illustrated story about imagination, independence and Halloween fun.
Available in Hardcover format.
The Bats on the Bus
by Alison Jackson (Author), Scott Magoon (Illustrator)
All aboard the spookiest school bus in town! A lively crew of witches, ghosts, skeletons and other Halloween characters heads out for a frightfully fun ride. Inspired by the familiar song The Wheels on the Bus, this silly, rhythmic story is perfect for singing along and sharing a few giggles with little readers.
Available in Hardcover format.
Franklin's Halloween
by Paulette Bourgeois (Author), Brenda Clark (Illustrator)
Franklin and his friends are excited about the Halloween party. But things get scary when Franklin begins to think that there might be a real ghost at the party in this Franklin Classic Storybook.
Available in Paperback format.
The Pumpkin Thief
by Alice Hemming (Author), Nicola Slater (Illustrator)
Squirrel and Bird are back for another funny autumn adventure! When pumpkins begin disappearing from their vegetable patch, Squirrel is determined to catch the mysterious thief. Following a trail of clues, he sets off to solve the mystery before Halloween. From the creators of The Leaf Thief, this colourful picture book is filled with humour, friendship and pumpkin-filled fun.
Available in Hardcover and Paperback editions.
Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin
by Tad Hills (Author, Illustrator)
Duck and Goose are on a mission to find the perfect pumpkin! But where should they look? From the apple tree to the pond and everywhere in between, these two lovable friends search high and low. With simple text, adorable illustrations and gentle humour, this charming board book is a sweet autumn read for babies and toddlers.
Available in Boardbook format.
Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete
by James Dean (Author, Illustrator), Kimberly Dean (Author)
A lift-the-flap book, join Pete the Cat from New York Times bestseller James Dean as he goes trick-or-treating. Kids can lift up flaps that reveal fun Halloween surprises, as they follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating and discover what is waiting behind each door We love the colourful illustrations and interactive fun this book has to offer kids.Â
Available in Paperback edition.
The Goodnight Train Halloween
by June Sobel (Author), Laura Huliska-Beith (Illustrator)
All aboard for a not-so-spooky Halloween ride! The Goodnight Train travels through a world of costumed animals, glowing pumpkins and sweet treats on its way to bedtime. With rhythmic rhymes and fun peek-through pages, this board book is a delightful seasonal read for little ones.
Available in Hardcover and Board Book editions.
Happy Halloween from The Very Busy Spider
by Eric Carle (Author, Illustrator)
Celebrate Halloween with Eric Carle’s beloved animal characters! Featuring familiar friends from The Very Busy Spider and The Very Hungry Caterpillar, this colourful lift-the-flap board book is filled with playful surprises for babies and toddlers.
Available in Boardbook format.
Clifford's Halloween
by Norman Bridwell (Author, Illustrator)
Halloween is one of Clifford’s favourite holidays! Join the big red dog and Emily Elizabeth as they enjoy costumes, trick-or-treating, games and ghost stories. A cheerful Halloween adventure featuring a familiar character young readers love.
Available in Paperback format.
Where Do Diggers Trick-or-Treat?
by Brianna Caplan Sayres (Author)
What happens when construction trucks celebrate Halloween? They dress up and head out for treats, of course! Filled with diggers, tractors and monster trucks, this rhyming story combines Halloween fun with big vehicles for little truck enthusiasts.
Available in Paperback and Boardbook formats.
Ten Timid Ghosts
by Jennifer O’Connell (Author, Illustrator)
Ten little ghosts are happily haunting their house until a clever witch decides to scare them away, one by one. But these ghosts might have a surprise of their own! A funny, rhyming counting story that’s perfect for Halloween read-alouds.
Available in Paperback format.
The Legend of the Great Pumpkin
by Charles M. Schulz (Author), Natalie Shaw (Adapter), Scott Jeralds (Illustrator)
Join Linus, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang for a classic Halloween tradition! While the other children enjoy costumes and trick-or-treating, Linus waits patiently for the mysterious Great Pumpkin. A nostalgic seasonal favourite for little Peanuts fans.
Available in Boardbook format.
Boo!
by Robert Munsch (Author), Michael Martchenko (Illustrator)
Leave it to Robert Munsch to turn Halloween into a hilarious adventure! When Lance paints his face for trick-or-treating, his frightening creation sends grown-ups running. With outrageous humour and plenty of Halloween mischief, this Canadian favourite is especially fun to read aloud.
Availabale in Paperback and Hardcover formats.
Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat
by Bill Cotter (Author)
Larry is heading out for some Halloween fun, but there’s one very important rule: don’t ring the doorbell at the creepy house! Of course, resisting temptation isn’t always easy. An interactive, laugh-out-loud Halloween story that invites kids to join in the fun.
Available in Paperback and Boardbook formats.
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus
by J. Elizabeth Mills (Author), Mr. Ben Mantle (Illustrator)
The familiar children’s song gets a Halloween makeover! Climb aboard a spooky bus filled with silly ghosts, costumed creatures and plenty of surprises. With counting, rhymes and a tune kids already know, this one is made for singing along.
Available in Paperback and Boardbook editions.
Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan
by Rob Scotton (Author, Illustrator)
Splat has a big plan to find the perfect pumpkin, but getting it home may be harder than he expects! This funny autumn adventure features Splat’s familiar antics, colourful illustrations and plenty of pumpkin-picking fun.
Available in Paperback format.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
by Alice Schertle (Author), Jill McElmurry (Illustrator)
Beep! Beep! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a Halloween costume party. Who could be hiding beneath each disguise? Lift the sturdy flaps to reveal the surprises in this cheerful board book for toddlers and preschoolers.
Available in Boardbook format.
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
by Jory John (Author), Pete Oswald (Illustrator)
The Bad Seed wants to find the perfect Halloween costume, but nothing seems quite right. As his frustration grows, he has to learn that Halloween doesn’t need to be perfect to be fun. A humorous seasonal story with a gentle message about managing expectations.
Available in Hardcover and Paperback editions.
The Roll-Away Pumpkin
by Junia Wonders (Author), Daniela Volpari (Illustrator)
When a giant pumpkin rolls away, an entire village joins the chase! This beautifully illustrated autumn tale is filled with colourful characters, playful repetition and a wonderful sense of adventure. A charming choice for preschool and kindergarten storytime.
Available in Hardcover and Paperback editions.
Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying Parody
by Michael Rex (Author, Illustrator)
A familiar bedtime classic gets a monstrously funny makeover! Say goodnight to goons, ghosts and all sorts of creepy creatures in this silly Halloween parody. With wonderfully spooky illustrations and clever rhymes, it’s a fun read for families who enjoy a little monster humour.
Available in Hardcover, Paperback and Boardbook editions.
Spooky Pookie
by Sandra Boynton (Author, Illustrator)
Little Pookie is getting ready for by Linda Williams (Author), Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)
Halloween, but choosing the perfect costume isn’t easy! From one adorable outfit to the next, Pookie tries to find just the right look. Sandra Boynton’s playful rhymes and sweet illustrations make this a lovely Halloween board book for toddlers.
Available in Boardbook format.
How to Catch a Witch
by Alice Walstead (Author), Megan Joyce (Illustrator)
The How to Catch kids are back with another magical adventure! When a witch opens a mysterious portal and spooky creatures begin appearing around the neighbourhood, the children must come up with a clever plan. A lively Halloween story filled with imaginative traps and colourful illustrations.
Available in Hardcover and Boardbook editions.
Happy Hunting: Halloween I Spy
by Patricia Collins (Author)
Can you find the pumpkins, ghosts, black cats and other Halloween surprises? This playful seek-and-find book encourages young children to look closely, recognize objects and practise their observation skills while enjoying some not-so-spooky fun.
Available in Paperback format.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
by Linda Williams (Author), Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)
One autumn evening, a brave little old lady encounters some very strange sounds while walking through the woods. Clomping shoes, shaking pants and other mysterious surprises follow her home! With lively repetition and plenty of opportunities for children to join in, this is a wonderful Halloween read-aloud.
Available in Paperback and Hardcover editions.
You're My Little Pumpkin Pie
by Nicola Edwards (Author), Natalie Marshall (Illustrator)
A sweet Halloween treat for the littlest readers! With adorable illustrations, chunky pages and playful cut-out shapes, this affectionate board book celebrates the special bond between grown-ups and their little pumpkins. A lovely choice for babies and toddlers.
Available in Boardbook format.
Whether you’re reading together at bedtime, filling a Halloween book basket or looking for a fun seasonal gift, these Halloween stories are sure to bring a little extra magic to October!
Looking for more Halloween fun? Plan a cozy family movie night with our Halloween Movies for Kids roundup, or explore our Halloween Events Guide for family-friendly outings and spooky adventures across the GTA and Southern Ontario.
