For the youngest readers, board books and some picture books are mostly sweet, celebrating the fun of sharing the holiday with friends and loved ones. Older picture books and transitional book readers may start to see the spooky settling in, while middle grade and YA readers will find titles to chill and thrill. 

Board Books

Baranowski, Grace. Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: You’re My Little Nightmare. illus. by Kaley McCabe. 18p. (You’re My Little). Printers Row. Jul. 2024. Board $10. 99. ISBN 9780794452292.
PreS-K–Tim Burton fans will delight in this board book inspired by the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. This charming and spooky volume celebrates a parent’s unwavering love for their child with positive words of affirmation on every page. Phrases like “You’re my little Sandy Claws, / You bring me so much joy” make for a sweet read-aloud experience. VERDICT Perfect for sharing with the littlest The Nightmare Before Christmas fans.

Davies, Becky. Flip Flap Halloween: A Spooky Split Page Book! illus. by Mike Moran. 16p. Tiger Tales. Jul. 2024. Board $8. 99. ISBN 9781664351165.
PreS–This rollicking title introduces children to Halloween in an upbeat manner. Readers turn split pages in four different Halloween scenes to find answers to the fun holiday mysteries within. VERDICT Recommended for purchase in public and preschool libraries as a new Halloween title that will likely bring laughter and learning.

Eliot, Hannah. Trunk or Treat: A Lift-the-Flap Pop-Up Story. illus. by Lydia Jean. 14p. S. & S. /Little Simon. Jul. 2024. Board $9. 99. ISBN 9781665954693.
Toddler-PreS–A gaggle of familiar Halloween characters participate in trunk or treat in this cheerful, silly lift-the-flap, pop-up Halloween board book. A witch, monster, werewolf, skeleton, and ghost present their respective vehicles to readers before revealing what’s hiding inside. VERDICT Recommended for collections in which holiday books are popular.

Elys, Dori. Oh, Halloween Tree. illus. by Katya Longhi. 14p. S. & S. /Little Simon. Jul. 2024. Board $7. 99. ISBN 9781665956710.
PreS-K–“Oh, Halloween Tree, / oh, Halloween Tree. / How crooked are thy branches?” Unique to the genre of children’s piggyback songs, this Halloween board book reimagines the jingle, “O Christmas Tree, ” by spinning the spooky story of the Halloween Tree. VERDICT A spirited, spooky board book sure to entice readers to decorate a Halloween tree of their own.

Holt, Bob. Little Pumpkin, Where’s Your Light? illus. by author. WorthyKids. (Bob Holt Celebrates: Bk. 3). Jul. 2023. 20p. Board $7.99. ISBN 9781546004349 
Toddler-PreS–A tiny gray mouse and a bright orange jack-o-lantern are navigating a dark night together in this Halloween board book. VERDICT This is a charmer, alright, with simple shapes, digitally drawn and colored, to fill up toddlers’ eyes and nothing spooky to spoil the mood of gentle friendship and celebrations.

Little Witch Cat: Finger Puppet Book. Chronicle. (Little Finger Puppet). Aug. 2024. 12p. Board $7.99. ISBN 9781797228105. 
PreS–Little Witch Cat creates potions, tidies her space, and welcomes friends for a frightfully delightful celebration. Printed on sturdy board pages and featuring a cut-out hole for the finger puppet that is Witch Cat’s head, this book is cleverly designed to engage babies and toddlers. VERDICT A fun addition to all library Halloween collections for very young readers.

McLean, Danielle. Night Night, Spooky Friends: A Halloween Lift-the-Flap Book. illus. by Gareth Wiliams. 12p. Tiger Tales. Jul. 2024. Board $9.99. ISBN 9781664351134.
PreS–The title opens with five friends: Little Monster, Ghost, Black Cat, Pumpkin, and Skeleton, who have had a grand time trick-or-treating and sampling some of their loot. Tiredness quickly sets in. Starting with Skeleton, the friends head to bed one by one. VERDICT Recommended as a title for public and preschool libraries. The combination of a new bedtime story, holiday theme, and flaps is likely to be a crowd pleaser for children and their adult readers.

Platt, Cynthia. Happy Halloween, Teal Pumpkin! illus. by Shauna Lynn Panczyszyn. 22p. HarperCollins/Clarion. Jul. 2024. Board $9. 99. ISBN 9780063374188.
PreS–As three friends decorate pumpkins, a young boy with brown hair explains that while his two friends are making jack-o’-lanterns, he is painting his pumpkin teal. The teal pumpkin will help him as he goes trick-or-treating, and will help other kids with allergies know that it is safe to trick-or-treat at his house. VERDICT A great book to help children be more empathetic to others who are different, and maybe motivate them to prompt their parents and caregivers to provide treats for those with and without allergies on Halloween.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy-Crawly Halloween: A Lift-the-Flap Book. World of Eric Carle. Aug. 2024. 10p. Board $12.99. ISBN 9780593751084. 
Baby-Toddler–The story begins with Caterpillar on a branch, progressing down a tree, to the ground, across the yard, and into a cozy house complete with a black cat and a decorated pumpkin. VERDICT Not an essential purchase, but a cute addition for libraries looking to expand their Halloween board book collection.

Picture Books

Ahmed, Nadia. The Ghost Who Was Afraid of Everything. illus. by Nadia Ahmed. 40p. Beaming Bks. Aug. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781506495118.
K-Gr 3–Finn is a ghost who overcomes his anxiety through perseverance and finds the courage to participate in the best day of the year: Halloween. VERDICT A poignant exploration of courage and resilience, perfect for young readers navigating their own fears and uncertainties. A valuable addition to any collection focusing on social-emotional development and self-acceptance.

Ayala-Kronos, Chris. Trunk-or-Treat. illus. by Rea Zhai. 32p. HarperCollins/Clarion. Jul. 2024. Tr $12. 99. ISBN 9780063347892.
PreS-Gr 4–Through catchy rhymes and vibrant illustrations, this book ingeniously reimagines the classic “Trick-or-Treat, Smell My Feet” song to immerse readers in the enchanting world of trunk-or-treat festivities. VERDICT Not only a delightful read-aloud but also a celebration of the spirit of Halloween.

Bass, Lance. Trick or Treat on Scary Street. illus. by Roland Garrigue. 40p. Union Square Kids & Co. Jul. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781454952176.
PreS-Gr 3–Bass, of the 1990s boy band NSYNC, brings his style and rhythm to the children’s literary world with this Halloween treat. A mischievous character leads readers, along with a group of costumed kids, down Scary Street for trick-or-treating delights. VERDICT Bass’s Halloween scare is a fresh fright to rejuvenate holiday collections.

Boniello, Alex & April Lavalle. Feeling Boo. illus. by Olivia Chin Mueller. 40p. Abrams. Aug. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781419772443.
Gr 1-3–Ellie and Ollie are ghosts who have been friends for hundreds of years. When Ollie wakes up “feeling a bit boo,” Ellie feels it is her mission to make him happy again. Finally Ollie finds the courage to ask Ellie to simply sit together. It is then that Ellie learns sometimes all you need to do is be there for your friend. VERDICT The important message found between the pages of this book needs to be heard by little ones, and even if they do not completely understand some of the text, perhaps the book is the spark to get their caretakers talking about mental health.

Cha, Frances. The Goblin Twins: Too Hard to Scare. illus. by Jaime Kim. Crown. Sept. 2024. 40p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9780593480267.
K-Gr 3–Doki and Kebi are 601-year-old goblins who have moved from Korea to New York City and are having trouble acclimating to their new surroundings. Doki cannot understand the humans in New York, who are different from the humans he used to scare in Korea. Kebi, takes pity on him and joins Doki to play tricks. VERDICT Readers will want to revisit this diverse and humorous Halloween-themed book for years to come.

Dougherty, Brandi. The Littlest Pumpkin. illus. by Denise Hughes. 24p. (Littlest). Scholastic/Cartwheel. Jul. 2024. pap. $5. 99. ISBN 9781338850000.
PreS-Gr 1–This simple holiday book with a clear message about self-acceptance adds to Dougherty’s “Littlest” series. There is not a scare to be found on the digitally illustrated pages, which makes the book appealing to the youngest and most timid readers. VERDICT Add to collections with room on the holiday shelves that are in need of Halloween books for a younger audience.

Fallon, Jimmy. 5 More Sleeps ‘til Halloween. illus. by Rich Deas. Feiwel & Friends. Sept. 2024. 48p. Tr $19.99. ISBN 9781250857798.
K-Gr 3–The nervously excitable young boy from Fallon’s 5 More Sleeps ‘til Christmas is back with his dog, Gary, and his sister as they all await Halloween. The boy’s love for the holiday causes a countdown to the famed day and the final decision on his best costume choice. VERDICT This rich, fun book is an excellent holiday title for young children.

[Read: Spooky Picture Book Recommendations From a Confessed Fraidy-Cat]

Gold, Andrew. Spooky Scary Skeletons. illus. by Polona Lovsin. 32p. Random. Aug. 2024. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780593903049. 
PreS-Gr 3–This illustrated version of Andrew Gold’s popular Halloween hit song is sure to get youngsters and their adults up shaking their bones. Five little skeletons gear up for Halloween night, heading out to collect treats and pull a few tricks on the neighbors. VERDICT This well-loved tune, now in book form, is a perfect addition to any Halloween collection.

Heath, Autumn B. Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: Welcome to Halloween Town! illus. by Kaley McCabe. 10p. (Lift the Flap). Printers Row. Jul. 2024. Tr $21. 99. ISBN 9780794450816.
Gr 1-4–Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, welcomes readers to a tour of Halloween Town in this picture book extension of the film Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. With interactive elements like pull tabs and flaps, there are over 25 surprises hidden inside the pages, and readers will enjoy peeking behind gravestones and jack-o’-lanterns to find them all. VERDICT An interactive, year-round read for both old and new fans of the movie.

Jackson, Tiffany D. Trick-or-Treating in the City. illus. by Sawyer Cloud. 32p. Dial. Aug. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9780593110287.
K-Gr 3–Janelle, a young girl with brown skin, finds herself in a quandary when the family’s spooktacular night of fun in the suburbs is canceled. This story successfully demonstrates how a densely populated city of strangers becomes a community during Halloween to safeguard youthful masqueraders. VERDICT A positive and realistic story that showcases urban holiday tradition and culture.

Katz, Alan. Zooloween. illus. by Stephanie Laberis. HarperCollins. Jul. 2024. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780063273863. 
PreS-Gr 3–A delightful romp through the zoo, while a parade of animals don their most imaginative costumes. Katz’s clever rhymes add to the fun, and Laberis’s illustrations steal the show, capturing the hilarity of each animal’s costume with vivid detail and expressive charm. VERDICT With its hilarious storyline and captivating artwork, this book is a joyous celebration of Halloween spirit and friendship.

McMahon, Bob. Cookie & Broccoli: Scariest Halloween Ever! illus. by author. 112p. (Cookie & Broccoli: Bk. 4). Dial. Aug. 2024. Tr $13. 99. ISBN 9780593530023; pap. $8. 99. ISBN 9780593530016.
K-Gr 3–It’s Halloween Costume Day at school, and Hollywood Cookie and Super Broccoli are in for a day of tricks and treats. Throughout the day, the characters learn why it’s not cool to scare people, how to not judge someone by their costume and take the time to get to know them, and how to not be afraid of everything. VERDICT Fans of “Pizza and Taco, ” “Elephant & Piggie, ” “Narwhal and Jelly, ” or any Dav Pilkey books will love this graphic novel.

Montijo, Rhode. Skeletown: Más. ¡Menos! illus. by author. 40p. (Skeletown: Bk. 2). Little, Brown. Aug. 2024. Tr $17. 99. ISBN 9780316465045. BL
PreS-Gr 1–In Skeletown, two young skeleton siblings with large, black, ball-like eyes and orange dot cheeks go through town engaging in various activities that portray the opposites “more” and “less” (más y menos). VERDICT A picture book about opposites that will charm young children. Read this one in a Halloween story time at the public library or in a preschool classroom.

Nolan, Janet. Get Ready for Halloween. illus. by Amy Zhing. Albert Whitman. Sept. 2024. 32p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780807528297.
PreS-Gr 1–Nolan takes readers through the different activities associated with the holiday, including choosing costumes, decorating homes, picking out pumpkins, carving jack-o’-lanterns, gathering candy, and, finally, going trick-or-treating with friends and neighbors. VERDICT This delightful Halloween-themed story would be a wonderful addition to any library’s collection, perfect for sparking excitement and enthusiasm about the spooky season.

[Read: This is Halloween! 20 Board Books & Picture Books for the Spooky Season]

Raúl the Third. ¡Vamos! Let’s Celebrate Halloween and Día de los Muertos: A Halloween and Day of the Dead Celebration. illus. by Raúl the Third, colors by Elaine Bay. 48p. (World of ¡Vamos!). HarperCollins/Clarion/Versify. Jul. 2024. Tr $16. 99. ISBN 9780063277137.
K-Gr 2–A delightful journey through two vibrant cultural celebrations. Readers are treated to a colorful exploration of Halloween and Día de los Muertos, each with its own unique traditions and significance. VERDICT A must-read. This one offers a joyful celebration of culture, tradition, and the spirit of these beloved holidays.

Schofield-Morrison, Connie. I Got the Spooky Spirit. illus. by Frank Morrison. 32p. Bloomsbury. Jul. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781547606993.
PreS-Gr 1–In an urban setting, a young Black girl eagerly prepares for Halloween. Rhymes keep the text moving along briskly, with accent phrases such as “A-ha!” “Ooey Gooey, ” and “Jeepers Creepers!” added into each illustration for emphasis. The spooky spirit keeps everyone going, then fades as the night ends. VERDICT This festive frolic is perfect for a younger audience who like the idea of scary more than they want actual scares.

Shaffer, Andrew. Mothman’s Happy Cryptid Halloween. 42p. (Cryptid Holiday Classics). 8th Circle Pr. Aug. 2024. Tr $27. 99. ISBN 9781949769609; pap. $13. 99. ISBN 9781949769593.
K-Gr 3–An oddball Halloween celebration turns a small town upside down in this quirky tale starring not ghouls and goblins, but the fanciful subjects of cryptozoology. VERDICT Zany and offbeat, this Halloween caper will appeal to readers craving sheer silliness.

Shum Jr., Harry & Shelby Rabara. Martee Dares to Dance. 32p. Gloo Books. Sept. 2024. 32p. Tr $19.95. ISBN 9781962351041.
K-Gr 3–Martee struggles with the fear of attending the Halloween school dance. He loves to dance, but he has been made fun of before and does not want to risk being embarrassed again. VERDICT A suggested purchase for collections seeking more books that will empower young readers.

Willis, Maggie Edkins. Little Ghost Makes a Friend. illus. by author. 40p. S. & S. /Paula Wiseman. Jul. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781665927857.
PreS-Gr 2–Little Ghost aches for a friend but doesn’t dare go outside for fear of alarming the neighborhood. However, each year he does venture outdoors on one particular day when seeing a ghost wouldn’t be surprising: Halloween. VERDICT A tender tale of courage and connection for readers who prefer Halloween stories with more treats than tricks.

Woolley, Katie. Guess Who? Boo to You! illus. by Grasya Oliyko. 32p. (Guess Who?). Nosy Crow. Jul. 2024. Tr $16. 99. ISBN 9798887770734.
Toddler-PreS–The recent trend of “booing” friends and neighbors on Halloween is front and center in this bright, friendly interactive Halloween picture book that brings readers along as various characters, including a ghost, a witch, a skeleton, and more, distribute treats among their friends. VERDICT This title is a great read-aloud for toddler story times.

Yolen, Jane. How Do Dinosaurs Say Trick or Treat? illus. by Mark Teague. 48p. (How Do Dinosaurs). Scholastic. Jul. 2024. Tr $18. 99. ISBN 9781338891980.
PreS-Gr 2–Yolen and Teague build upon the success of their long-standing “How Do Dinosaurs” series with a title just in time for Halloween. Readers of previous entries will be familiar with the standard format: Yolen questions the dinosaurs about their hypothetical missteps and finishes with reassurance of correct behavior expectations and a message of love. VERDICT This title will receive a double dose of popularity in its combination of two favorite subjects: dinosaurs and Halloween.

Transitional Books

Ransom, Candice. Halloween Night! illus. by Ashley Evans. 32p. (Step into Reading). Random. Aug. 2024. Tr $14. 99. ISBN 9780593807743; pap. $5.99. ISBN 9780593807736.
PreS-Gr 1–Simple, rhyming verses capture the fun of two young siblings’ Halloween celebration. Text and illustrations work together throughout and attest to warm family ties as they celebrate Halloween. VERDICT A familiar story, but well-crafted and appealing, with playful verse suitable for young readers and illustrations that add fun details. A good choice for one-on-one sharing.

Shaskan, Stephen. Pizza and Taco: Dare to Be Scared!: (A Graphic Novel). illus. by author. Random House Graphic. (Pizza and Taco). Jun. 2023. 72p. Tr $10.99. ISBN 9780593481288. 
Gr 1-3–The friends decide to have a “dare-to-be-scared” challenge. Ultimately, they end up ghost-pepper hunting in a cemetery where the sounds of their own flashlights, footsteps, and nearly everything else sets them off. VERDICT These two are popular. Have a few copies on hand, Halloween or not.

Middle Grade

Banbury, Steven. The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night. illus. by Matt Rockefeller. Little, Brown. Sept. 2024. 336p. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780316572989; mass pap. $8.99. ISBN 9780316572996.
Gr 4-7–A young girl cleverly escapes her orphanage to find a loving stepfather in the Pumpkin King and discover a world she could have never imagined. VERDICT This delightfully chilling romp with a brave and clever orphan is a Halloween tale with heart, that would be a splendid read-aloud at Halloween.

Lawton, Moss. Hellaween: Spellbent. illus. by Moss Lawton. colors by Victoria Harris. 208p. (Hellaween: Bk. 2). Penguin/Razorbill. Aug. 2024. Tr $23. 99. ISBN 9780593524343; pap. $13. 99. ISBN 9780593524336.
Gr 3-6–Gwen (a witch), Sloane (a werewolf), and Miles (a vampire) are back for a wickedly good adventure in this new addition to the “Hellaween” graphic novel series. VERDICT Fans of “Monster High” and the show Wednesday will love this addition to the “Hellaween” series.

[Read: 14 Not-Too-Scary Graphic Novels for Tweens | Great Books]

Stine, R.L. The Haunted Mask. colors by Corey Barba & Amanda Barba. Scholastic/Graphix. (Goosebumps: The Graphic Novel). Sept. 2024. 160p. adapt. by Maddi Gonzalez. Tr $24.99. ISBN 9781338879407; pap. $12.99. ISBN 9781338879391.
Gr 3-6–After a cruel prank leaves her humiliated, Carly Beth seeks a Halloween costume that will make her peers truly afraid. Her quest leads her to a mysterious costume shop, where she acquires, an eerie mask. Initially, the mask seems perfect, but Carly Beth soon discovers that it may hold a power stronger and scarier than she can control. VERDICT This graphic novel adaptation is a worthy addition to any library, offering a chilling, immersive experience that remains true to Stine’s iconic tale.

Virnig, Christine. A Bite Above the Rest. 320p. S. & S. /Aladdin. Aug. 2024. Tr $17. 99. ISBN 9781665946575.
Gr 4-7–In this spooky middle grade adventure, Caleb and his mom relocate to Samhain, WI, where Halloween is always on full display. But when his English teacher’s fangs and fur seem a bit too real, and his next-door neighbor brews potions and has a wand, Caleb begins to wonder if Samhain is hiding a dark secret. VERDICT A fun title to get into the hands of middle graders, especially ones who can’t get enough of Halloween.

YA

Mancusi, Mari. Sally’s Lament: A Twisted Tale. 352p. (A Twisted Tale). Disney-Hyperion. Oct. 2024. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9781368104500.
Gr 7 Up–The latest installment in the bestselling "A Twisted Tale" series reimagines The Nightmare Before Christmas and offers the question: What if Sally was the one who discovered Christmas Town? VERDICT A twisted reimagining that’s sure to thrill readers.

[Read: Thrills & Chills: 18 Truly Scary and Diverse YA Horror Stories | Great Books]