Fall is my favorite season, and Halloween is my favorite holiday. When Bear got old enough to understand that some books were about this time of year, it was no surprise that I went nuts finding lots of them to read with him.
We started at the library, but at ours the seasonal books have a lending limit of one week. Obviously that's not going to cut it for an obsessive spectrum kiddo who wants to read his favorite 5 times a day for weeks on end. But, it was a great opportunity to narrow down specific books it was worth purchasing.
I put so much time and energy into creating our Halloween children's book collection I figured it makes sense to share it here to save some legwork for those of y'all on a similar quest.
It's worth noting that not all are specific to the holiday - some are about the season in general and some have themes of overcoming fears that I find Halloween offers the perfect opportunity to discuss.
So in no particular order... here are the books my boys and I love reading together every fall!
2015 Update
Five Little Pumpkins is a board book transcription of the cute little song they sing in preschools this time of year. I was completely charmed the first time I heard it at Bear's preschool when he was smaller, and I was excited to find this little book now that Dude is preschool age. He loves it, and we've already read it dozens of times this October.
This
Pop-Up Haunted House book is done in a rhyming meter, with each pop up page illustrating a different spooky theme like werewolves, ghosts or witches. I think it's very cute and manages to be cartoonish enough that the 3 year old isn't scared. Just be cautious with the pop ups themselves - while they appear sturdier than some I still wouldn't leave this book unattended in small hands.
2014 Update
Goodnight Goon is a parody of *shudder* Goodnight Moon, and its mere existence makes me incredibly happy. There's also a Runaway Bunny parody by the same writer (The Runaway Mummy) that I'm having a little trouble finding in matching board book format I look forward to adding to our collection.
Halloween Hustle has a bouncy meter and is loads of fun to read out loud!
Room on the Broom is a sweet story of compassion and friendship that I think is a new classic.
The Night Before Halloween is a charming spoof of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
Inside A House That Is Haunted is a nice little Level 2 Scholastic early reader.
Sesame Street Happy Halloween is a spoof of Edgar Allen Poe's The Raven featuring The Count, and I just love it.
Which Witch Is Which? is another cute Sesame Street story featuring Elmo and the gang.
Halloween Jack is a cute board book featuring a few classic creatures aimed at younger children.
2013
Please note... I am in no way affiliated with the book retailer these titles are linked to, and I receive nothing more from this post than the warm fuzzies I get from sharing beloved books with young readers.
