Our Favourite Hallowe’en Picture Books

Friday Five Halloween

One of my favourite times of the year, other than Christmas, for seasonal books has got to be Hallowe’en. There’s just something about snuggling up on a dreich and dark Autumn afternoon to read some spooky stories together. It’s still over a week to go until Hallowe’en, but I thought I’d share some of your favourites with you now so that you have plenty of time to go out and get hold of these if you like. These are all books we own, by the way (something I get asked a lot). We do love our local library, but with books for things like Christmas and Hallowe’en, I prefer to buy them because we want to read them at a specific time of year and the library may not have then when we need them. But without further ado, here are our current Hallowe’en favourites, clockwise starting from the top:

  • The Hallo-Wiener, by Dav Pilkey – This hilarious book is more funny than spooky, and I bought it for three reasons: the title (I love a good pun), it’s got lots of dogs in it (my boys love books with dogs), and the main character is called Oscar. So how could I not. My Oskar (almost age 7), of course, thinks this is brilliant. The story follows Oscar who is ” half-a-dog tall and one-and-a-half dogs long”. He gets teased a lot and called names by the other dogs, but at the end of the day despite this, shows himself to be a true friend and saves the day. A great little story about friendship and not bullying others.
  • B is for Boo: A Halloween Alphabet, by Greg Paprocki – This A-Z board book from the successful BabyLit book series is perfect for very littles ones, but even though both my boys have kind of out grown the board book stage, and we have what feels like a gazillion other A-Z books already, I just had to have this because of the absolutely gorgeous illustrations. And I’ve caught all three of my boys (from Mr Fox through to the Husband) leafing through this and pouring over the pictures. From A for Apple through to Z for Zombie, this is one worth owing even if you don’t have kids, just for the illustrations.
  • Ten Timid Ghosts, by Jennifer O’Connell – Counting books are always a winner with kids, and this lovely little story about ten timid ghosts, who are being scared away one by one, by a witch who has moved in to their haunted house, does not disappoint. And what’s even better than a counting book? One with a twist at the end! This book is a bedtime favourite at the moment with both boys.
  • How to Make Friends With a Ghost, by Rebecca Green – This is another book I bought initially for the illustrations. They are just exquisite. It’s written in the form of a guide book or instruction manual. Mr Fox (almost age 3) is not really interested in this one, I think he doesn’t really grasp the format, but Oskar LOVES it. He’s has even been reading it by himself, and started writing out his own instruction manual. Definitely one to spark the creativity of slightly older kids.
  • The Scariest Book Ever, by Bob Shea – Last but not least, out of the five books here, this is my boys’ top favourite one at the moment. I had to read it to them three times in a row the other day, and they almost choked from laughing so much. The story is narrated by a ghost, who doesn’t want to go in to the nearby scary dark forest because of all the dangers that lurk there. Or do they? He send the reader to go and find out for him. I can’t even sum this book up properly without spoiling it for you, so just let me say the humorous storyline + the bright and colourful graphic art illustration are a winner. Oh, and did someone say cupcakes? (this book also has a gorgeous alternative cover under the dust cover – see below) 

What are your favourite Hallowe’en picture books? Please feel free to share your recommendations in the comments below!

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Please note that the book links in this post are Amazon affiliate links. That means if you buy any books via these links, I receive a small percentage – at no extra cost to you! – which helps to keep this blog running. Thank you.

Comments: 11

  • reply
    23 October 2017

    I’ll have to take a look at some of these, we don’t have any Halloween themed books.

  • reply
    23 October 2017

    We love how to make friends with a ghost!!! But the rest, I have to admit, I didn’t know of. Think a quick visit to the book shop before school breaks up for Halloween might be an idea! Thanks so much for this!

  • reply
    23 October 2017

    Love the sound of these! Sophie would like to A-Z one as she’s just starting to learn her words / initial sounds :) x

  • reply
    23 October 2017

    We don’t have any Halloween specific books. The nearest we come to one is a Thomas the Tank Engine book featuring a ghost. I do like the sound of the Scariest Book Ever though!

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    I have actually never read a children’s Halloween book before! I love the sound of ‘The Hallow Weiner!

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    These look like a great selection of books. I loved seasonal books for my children, we have not read any of these ones x

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    Some gorgeous books there! We like a classic Jan Pienkowski in our house – still have my old copy of The Haunted House, and of course there’s Meg and Mog!

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    Not heard of these books before. They sound proper spooky!

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    Ahh these sound great! I love that there are so many Halloween themed books out, the scariest book ever sounds fun!

  • reply
    24 October 2017

    What a great selection. I don’t think we have any Halloween themed books! x

  • reply
    26 October 2017

    We love halloween books too. I’m not familiar with any of these though. They all sound great but the a-z one sounds fab.10 spooky skeletons is our favourite.

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