In my home, I have a bubbling cauldron full of Halloween picture books collected from my years teaching. I’ve continued adding to the collection now that I’m a mom of 2. I think I get more excited than my kids when the Scholastic book order comes in. Even when my boys are teens, this cauldron will reappear each October 1st. I will probably be reading aloud to the family dog or chasing trick-or-treaters down the street.
I digress.
Here’s some picks from our Halloween read-aloud cauldron this time of year…
In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories
retold by: Alvin Schwartz & pictures by: Dirk Zimmer
I vividly remember my first and second graders being scared out of their wits while reading this. In a good way. It may have been the lights off in the classroom, my theatrical performance with a flashlight illuminating my face, or the witch hat, but nonetheless, kids eat this book up. Especially, the story with the green ribbon…
Where’s My Mummy?
Written by: Carolyn Crimi & Illustrated by: John Manders
My 3 year old has read this book non-stop since last Halloween. Loved so much, we are even missing a page. Enough said. I have read this book over 100 times, and have still yet to tire of it. It’s that good. Plus, the illustrations rule.
Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody
by Michael Rex
Rex is a picture book god. That is all.
The Bones of Fred McFee
Written By: Eve Bunting & Illustrated By: Kurt Cyrus
Two kids buys a creepy plastic skeleton. It vanishes. Bone-chilling with excellent rhyme and rhytmn. Bunting is a master at Halloween…
Speaking of “witch”…
Here’s another good one by the mistress of Halloween picture books:
Scary, Scary Halloween
by Eve Bunting & Illustrated by: Jan Brett
Rhyme without the cheese. The illustration lends some fun plot twists…Improves with each reread.
The 13 Nights of Halloween
by: Rebecca Dickinson
Kids love to sing this book! I have video of my second grade class in full harmony. Sigh. Those were the days.
The Haunted Ghoul Bus
Written by: Lisa Trumbauer & Illustrated by: Jannie Ho
The play on words is bound to make the kids laugh. Jannie Ho is an illustrator after my own tell-tale heart. Whimsical…
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
written by: Linda Williams & illustrated by: Megan Lloyd
Best Halloween book to act out EVER. If you are classroom teacher and don’t own this…get thee to a bookstore now.
Parents, you too. It’s a classic must-own if your kids are under age 8.
Dem Bones
by: Bob Barner
The boys danced to this in the tub tonight. Yes, I read to my kids while they bathe. A great spiritual turned picture book…
NOW…the finale.
As the self-professed queen of Halloween {if you don’t believe me, check my personal blog here}…there’s one book that steals my soul this time of year.
Why? A love of film noir and a cautionary tale to boot. The ultimate stranger danger book…
In my opinion, the book every Halloween-loving classroom and household must own {or at least take out multiple times from your local library, should you be blessed with a copy},
If not only for the illustrations alone…
The Spider and the Fly
based on 1832 poem by Mary Howitt & perfectly illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi
Film director Tim Burton would be proud.
Need more Halloween ideas? Look at our Halloween Gallery for fun kid crafts!
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Thanks for reading,
Nicolette {The Queen of Halloween}
*not “comped” or perked for anything in this post. I’m just a Halloween-loving picture book hoarder, who wants to spread the love of literacy like sunshine and rainbows.
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