Zip! Zoom! On a Broom

Preschoolers will beg to read this zippity counting book every single day in October! A fun rhyming story follows ten witches zoom all over as the jump on and slide off the broom. If you are looking for a fresh, new witchy book to add to your child's bookshelf, we suggest you grab this one for some Halloween number fun!

   

Best Non-Scary Halloween Books for Children 

Happy Halloween, Little Critter!

Our favorite little critter is getting ready to attend a scary Halloween party. He is not so sure about whether he is brave enough to handle all of the spooks in store for him. Little ones will love lifting the flaps and exploring all the objects in this classic Halloween book.

 

 

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

The bravest old lady around was not afraid of a single thing...that is until she takes a walk on a chilly, windy, autumn night. All sorts of strange things are encountered and she realizes that maybe she isn't quite as brave as she thought!

 

 

Five Little Monkeys Trick-or-Treat

Our favorite silly monkeys are at it again this Halloween. Their funny antics put their babysitter up to the challenge of her life. Wild and crazy as ever, the monkeys will entertain youngsters who follow their not-scary-at-all Halloween antics.

 

 

Clifford's First Halloween

Emily Elizabeth helps Clifford dress up as a ghost for Halloween. Join our favorite red puppy as he playfully joins in all the fun. Clifford is a timeless classic that makes for fun reading time at Halloween! 

 

 

The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted House

Our favorite Brother and Sister must work up the courage to enter the haunted house and find their beloved kitty. Kids will love to lift the flaps and search for the bears' pet. Don't worry...there's a happy ending to this slightly spooky Halloween story!

 

 

Arthur's Halloween

Oh no! Poor Arthur is trick-or-treating with D.K. when she disappears into a very spooky house. He has no choice but to go find his sister, but how will he ever muster up enough courage to enter that creepy place? All the same humor found in the Arthur books, mixed with just enough Halloween scares, make this book the perfect addition to your Halloween reading.

 

 

 

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Join Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang this Halloween for lots of fun festivities. Filled with lots of laughs and nostalgia, this charming classic is a must-read every Halloween. But the question remains- will this finally be the year of when the Great Pumpkin appears?

 

And Then Comes Halloween

This most gentle Halloween story told in sparse, poetic language is perfect for preschoolers who are not quite ready for scary stories. Vibrant collage pictures combined with descriptions of all the usual Halloween activities puts this at the top of the reading list for little ones getting excited for their trick-or-treating adventure.

 

 

 

 

Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo!

Duck, Goose and their buddy Thistle have fun night planned. Costumes are arranged and they can't wait to head out to go trick-or-treating. Their bravery is put to the test when they learn that a scary swamp monster is trying to find them. What will these friends do? Can they muster up the courage to forge ahead with their plans for the evening and face this monster?

 

 

 

Moonlight: The Halloween Cat

A beautiful black cat tiptoes through this Halloween eve observing all of the activity going on up and down the street. Soft, reassuring language and captivating illustrations will keep attention of little ones. No spooks or frights to be found in this soothing Halloween story.

 

 

 Little Boo

This sweet story about a pumpkin seed who desires to be scary on Halloween is a terrific book for preschool age children. The adorable little seed tries with all his might and eventually grows into a pumpkin. His last step is to reach jack-o-lantern status which he eventually does. Inviting illustrations and a gentle story about a seed's desire to be "scary" is a perfectly non-scary story for Halloween!

 

 

 

The Ghosts Go Haunting

A fun Halloween take on The Ants Go Marching showcases ghosts, goblins, witches and ghouls as they parade around school. The teachers are afraid as these ghastly creatures take over the hallways! Little kids will relate to this clever story when they think about their own Halloween parades at school. 

 

 

 In the Haunted House

Peak behind the flaps, feel the sparkly ghosts, and touch the fuzzy bats in this gem of a Halloween book. Preschoolers who are ready for a little spook will beg to read this work by Eve Bunting over and over again. Lots of surprises and interaction on every page.

 

Monster Needs a Costume

One of the most fun activities for preschoolers is picking out a new Halloween costume every year. Well, monsters have the same excitement when it comes to picking out their costumes, too! Kids may dress up as monsters on Halloween, but real monsters like to reinvent themsleves on this holiday. Join some silly creatures as they test out different costumes in their quest to find the perfect Halloween disguise!

 

 

Alpha Oops! H is for Halloween

A Halloween ABC book with crazy characters and funny antics make this a fun read-aloud. Every single letter in the alphabet is dressed in full costume and misbehaving terribly.  Preschoolers will laugh at the siliness of these alphabet characters and may learn a thing or two along the way.

 

 

The Curious Little Witch

Who said all witches are old and scary looking? Lizzy does not fit the mold. She is a cute, curious little girl...who so happens to also be a witch!  Lizzy's curiousity gets the better of her one dark night when she discovers a house that looks bright and busy. When the rest of her family is sleeping, she hops on her broom and decides she must find out what is going on inside that other house.

 

Bone Dog

Gus's world is turned upside down when his beloved dog and best friend Ella passes away. Halloween is coming soon and he doesn't even feel like putting on his costume. When he is out and about Halloween night, Gus encounters some spooky skeletons. And right to his rescue comes Ella... his bone dog...who scares off the skeletons and takes care of Gus. This little boy learns that his Ella is always by his side and looking out for him, no matter what.

 

 

Los Gatos Black on Halloween

Spanish phrases are sprinkled throughout this book about a black cat's perspective on Halloween. Glowing illustrations perfectly capture the mood of the moster balls and witches on broomsticks. A captivating Halloween book that teaches some Spanish along the way is a solid addition to your child's bookshelf.

 

 

The Ugly Pumpkin

The Ugly Pumpkin is truly a hidden gem! A poor, misshapen pumpkin is distraught when Halloween comes and goes and he hasn't been picked by a single person. Surely someone would have wanted to take him home, but he is the only one left behind. He finally leaves the pumpkin patch searching for a new home, a place where he belongs. Eventually he discovers his true identitty by Thanksgiving. And you guessed it...turns out he is not a pumpkin after all. So many wonderful lessons wrapped up in this must-read every Halloween time!

 

 

 

Boo-La-La Witch Spa

Witches need some pampering, too! After all, Halloween is a lot of work for our broomstick-wielding, potion-mixing friends. Take a peak inside a spa just for witches in this hilarious, rhyming, not-so-scary Halloween book. Whimsical illustrations and friendly faces fill the pages of a fun book perfect for read-aloud storytime!

 

 

 

That One Spooky Night

This is one Halloween book not suited for kids prone to having nightmares! A frightening collection of short stories blends the cultural elements of Halloween with brilliant graphics. Sparse text leaves a lot to the imagination at times and some of the characters bleed mysteriously into the next story. The fear factor of this collection is balanced by humor and sound effects making it a fun read aloud at Halloween time.

 

 

Fright Club

Fright Club is an extremely exclusive organization with spots reserved for the spookiest, scariest, creepiest monsters ever! This group prides themselves on their carefully laid-out scare tactics, abundant with crazy faces and bone-chilling noises. Does this sound like a recipe for a scary Halloween book? Well, maybe, but not the way you think. When group of adorable critters asks to join the group, the monsters are quick to dismiss their ability to scare. But just wait until you see who are the most frightful of all!

 

 

Too Many Pumpkins

The cover of this book alone is enough to make you open this book and find out if there  is such a thing as too many pumpkins! Rebecca Estelle finds herself in such a position. As a clever lady who turns lemons into lemonade, she finds the best way to make the most of her dilemma. Both humorous and heartwarming at the same time, kids will love this tender story about how pumpkins bring people together in the best possible way.

 

 

Room on the Broom

This is one witch who can't seem to keep it all together! She's happily flying through the sky when a sudden burst of wind carries away her precious witch's hat and magic wand. Some very helpful animals jump into action by recovering her possessions. All they want in exchange is a fun ride on the broomstick. Is that too much to ask? This generally non-scary Halloween book, except for the appearance of a threatening dragon, is terrific for kids of all ages!

 

Gustavo, The Shy Ghost

For every little kid who has trouble making new friends, this is the book for you! Gustavo is the cutest little ghost around. He's pretty good at doing all the creepy, ghostly things like passing through walls. But boy, does he ever have a hard time making friends with other creatures. A sweet, non-scary ghost story about stepping out of your comfort zone.

 

 

 

How to Build a Haunted House

A family of vampires needs a house built pronto! With Frankenstein at the helm, all kinds of scary Halloween creatures work in unison to get the job done before sunrise. Told in verse with plenty of creepy pictures, How to Build a Haunted House offers up some spooky reading this Halloween.

The Ghosts Went Floating

Practice counting with some pretty creepy Halloween critters! Sing the verses to the tune of "The Ants Go Marching" while examining all of the vibrant illustrations of ghosts, goblins, monsters, and more! A great concept book for younger kids who are just ready to participate in Halloween festivities.

 

The Hallo-Wiener

A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, The Hallo-Wiener is a winning read for Halloween. A little daschshund is used to being teased for his size, but the ridiculing taken to a whole new level when he dresses up in a hot dog costume for Halloween.  Read all about how a single act of bravery on Halloween forever changes the way the rest of the dogs see him.

 

 

 

Trick or Treat, Little Critter

Get into the Halloween spirit with this charming Little Critter book! An eventful night of trick-or-treating, with a little squabble between the siblings, will elicit a few chuckles. This colorful Halloween picture book comes with bonus cards, stickers and a big poster to add to your child's holiday decor.

 

 

Pig the Monster

Halloween spells disaster for a Pug who has an insatiable sweet tooth. He has all kinds of tricks up his sleeve in his quest to fill his treat bag to the very top. Kids will giggle at all of his crazy shenanigans and maybe get a few ideas of their own when they go trick-or-treating this year.

 

The Haunted Mansion

If you have ever toured Disney Park's Haunted Mansion, this book will be eerily familiar! The pages of this fun Halloween book will transport you through all the rooms of the infamous mansion with lots of spooks and scares. But never fear, this Little Golden Book is will not be too spooky for little readers who are up for just a little ghostly fun!

 

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat

The best-selling Old Lady series offers up another silly rendition of the classic song. This time, our favorite silver-haired character swallows a goblin, a few bones, a bat, an owl, and a ghost! This Halloween book includes all the fantastic rhyming verse and crazy illustrations  we have come to expect. 

 

Paint by Sticker Kids Halloween

This is the ultimate crafty book for little kids! All the materials needed are included in this popular Halloween book. A wide variety of fun Halloween stickers are included along with fun paints to bring them to life. Perforated pages can be easily removed and displayed around the house. 

 

 

 

The Bad Seed Presents: The Good, The Bad, and The Spooky

The Bad Seed was a New York Times best-seller. Now he's back in time for his very favorite time of the year- Halloween! But he has a big problem. Bad Seed wants to find the most outrageous, scary, out-of-this-world costume for his night of trick-or-treating. When his search for a costume fails, will he fall back on his bad habits by ruining Halloween for everyone else? At once funny, charming, and disturbing, this Halloween book holds a valuable lesson for every child who reads it.

 

 

Trick or Treat, Bugs to Eat

Little trick-or-treaters may be in search of candy on Halloween night. But for bats, it's all about the bugs. Not only this is a fun rhyming read aloud, but it is packed full of fun facts about bats and their favorite fare!

 

 

The Little Kitten

A good deed goes a long way in this adorable Halloween book for kids. Ollie and her cat come across an adorable kitten while out for a walk on a beautiful autumn day.  She grows attached to her new friend, but when she sees posters in town about a lost kitten, she knows what she has to do. Halloween is around the corner and a little holiday magic is in the air. Ollie is rewarded in the most unexpected way for her good deed.

A Spoonful of Frogs

A not-so-scary witch hosts a television show called Bewitching Kitchen. In today's episode, she is prepared to share her favorite dish with the audience- frog soup. As readers might guess, a spoonful of frogs is a very necessary ingredient to complete the recipe. The uncoopertive little critters, desperate to escape their demise, hop as far away from the cauldron as possible. Kids will giggle as the witch struggles to maintain her composure while trying to corral the frogs so she can finish her show!

 

Halloween is Coming!

A charming book about the excitement leading up to Halloween includes a diverse group of children. Just the right amount of text for preschoolers, who dream of being whatever they want to be on Halloween. Vibrant pictures depict happy, imaginative children who are excited to dress up and head out for a night of trick-or-treating.

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Non-Spooky Kids' Halloween Books 

Reading books with your children is a fun way to spend time together and get into the Halloween spirit! So light a fire, pop some popcorn, grab a blanket, and get ready for some spooks and giggles! There are many different types of Halloween stories to read- spooky, funny, mysterious, and magical- so no matter your child's age or tolerance for creepiness, there's a big pile of non-spooky kids' Halloween books just right for your little reader. Don't forget to add some of the best children's books about witches to the reading list this October.

 

 

 Take the Spook Out of Halloween for Timid Kids

The origins of Halloween can be traced back to a Celtic festival where people wore costumes in order to scare away the ghosts. Over 2000 years ago, the Celts in Ireland, northern France and the United Kingdom celebrated their new year on November 1st. The night before, October 31st, the people believed the ghosts of the dead would return to earth and ruin their harvest. Add some children's ghost books as the very beginning of Halloween is attributed to these apparitions.

 

 

People gathered around bonfires and dressed in frightening costumes to ward off these ghosts and usher in the new year. This historic ritual explains why so many people to this day dress up in scary costumes on Halloween. But what if your child has a case of the jitters? Do ghosts, goblins, witches, and skeletons cause them to quiver? Reading kids' skeleton books  is a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit. You can still celebrate this festive holiday by putting your own non-scary spin on things. 

 

Non-Scary Ways to Celebrate Halloween

There are so many creative ways to get into the Halloween spirit that don't involve spooks and scares. For little kids who do not enjoy all the eery sites and sounds of the season, here are some ideas to celebrate this fun October holiday.

 Host an Ugly Halloween Sweater Party Instead of a Costume Party

Halloween costumes can be pretty frightening. Not know who is hiding behind a mask is unsettling, but it's even worse when the costume itself is scary. Lots of kids love to dress up as monster, ghouls, ghosts, and witches, which can cause some discomfort for your nervous child. Instead, invite guests to an Ugly Halloween Sweater party! Kids will still have the experience of "dressing up" for Halloween, but without the masks and the bloody costumes. Hold a contest for the winner, take lots of pictures, and watch your child enjoy a scare-free party.

 

 

 Turn off the Scary Movies and Make Some Halloween Crafts

Halloween movies, even the ones made just for kids, will inevitably have a few scary parts. Even if it is not a horror movie by design, almost all of them will have a few startles. For kids already feeling a bit nervous about Halloween, these shows will only fuel their fear. Instead, turn off the television and spend the evening hours making Halloween crafts. Quiet time at the kitchen table with a wide array of art supplies is a fun, relaxing way to wind down before bedtime. Painting pumpkins is always a fun favorite. Grab some of the best children's pumpkin books to read in between carving and decorating.

 

  

 Skip the Haunted Hay Rides and Head to the Kitchen

It's tempting to head to a local farm to participate in all the Halloween activities. Corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and haunted hay rides are all popular attractions around Halloween. But for timid little children, these places can be very scary. Farms are decorated will all kinds of frightening figures, like towering ghosts blowing in the wind, nasty witches stirring ingredients in a cauldron, and more. Instead of visiting these haunted attractions, reading children's books about haunted houses  is a good, less-scary alternative. The worst part of live attractions are hay rides  notorious for jump scares around every bend. Rather than taking your child to one of these places, spend some quality time in the kitchen baking festive Halloween cookies!