25 Best Halloween Books for Preschoolers

Halloween books for preschoolers have always been a fun way to celebrate the season in our house.

When my son was that age, we’d cozy up with picture books that were just spooky enough and full of characters he loved.

Over the years, we read dozens of Halloween-themed stories together, some became fast favorites, others we returned to every October.

This list pulls together the ones that really stood out for us: sweet, funny, just-spooky-enough books that work well for preschoolers whether you’re reading at home, during circle time, or at a Halloween party.

Collage of best Halloween books for preschoolers including Room on the Broom, Skeleton for Dinner, Bonaparte Falls Apart, and more colorful picture book covers.

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Best Preschool Halloween Books

Preschoolers don’t need anything too spooky to enjoy Halloween, just fun characters, colorful illustrations, and a little seasonal magic.

This list of Halloween books for preschoolers includes everything from silly skeletons to friendly witches, with stories that work well for bedtime, circle time, or cozy read-alouds at home.

You’ll find a mix of board books, rhyming stories, interactive titles, and gentle counting books, perfect for keeping little ones engaged and excited about the season.

Skeleton for Dinner

This one had my son giggling right from the start. When the witch and her monster pals plan a spooky dinner, the skeleton thinks he's the main course. The misunderstanding leads to funny, not-frightening moments that are perfect for preschoolers who like a little suspense without the scare. It’s a great book for talking about emotions too, especially fear and friendship.

This is the perfect time to have fun with our skeletal system labeling worksheet!

Creepy Carrots!

Jasper the rabbit was a hit in our house, especially when he started seeing carrots everywhere. This story plays up suspense in a preschool-friendly way, and the grayscale artwork with pops of orange makes it visually stand out. It also sparked a fun conversation about how our imaginations can run wild… especially after dark!

Use our fun life cycle of a carrot coloring page too!

How to Catch a Witch

This one became a favorite just before Halloween one year when my son was deep into “trap building” mode. The kids in the story come up with wild, over-the-top plans to catch a witch, which inspired a lot of creative play afterward. Great for preschoolers who love to problem-solve or dream up inventions.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat!

If you’ve ever read a “swallowed a fly” book, you know how silly these can get, this Halloween version is no exception. The rhythm is catchy, and the escalating chaos had my son asking for it again and again. It’s short, easy to follow, and just ridiculous enough to make it a circle time win.

Related: Bat handprint art

Trick or Treat, Little Critter

Little Critter always feels like an old friend. In this Halloween story, he's figuring out his costume, heading out to trick-or-treat, and dealing with a few classic kid dilemmas along the way. It’s simple and relatable, great for easing younger kids into what to expect on Halloween night.

How to Make Friends with a Ghost

This sweet, quirky book surprised us. It reads like a how-to guide, but underneath the humor is a gentle message about kindness and long-lasting friendship. My son loved the idea of having a ghost as a friend, and honestly, so did I. It’s a cozy kind of spooky that works well for quiet afternoons.

Ten Timid Ghosts

This was one of the first Halloween counting books we ever read, and it stuck with us for years. The repetitive rhymes and predictable rhythm made it easy for my son to “read” along, even when he was just starting out. The ghosts aren’t scary at all, just silly and easy to love.

Use our free Halloween counting worksheet for some hands-on fun!

Room on the Broom

We’ve read this one so many times I can still recite it. The rhyming flow makes it fun to read aloud, and the message about friendship and inclusion always hits home. Preschoolers love the silly animals piling on the broom, and the twist at the end gives it just the right amount of excitement.

Create your own witch handprint art when you have finished reading this book.

The Spooky Wheels on the Bus

This Halloween twist on the classic song became a fast favorite during our toddler years. We’d sing it instead of read it, and it always turned into a dance party. If your preschooler already loves Wheels on the Bus, this version is an easy seasonal switch that keeps things fun and familiar.

Hoot Howl Halloween

This one adds sound buttons, which means it was an instant hit. The spooky sounds (owls hooting, bats flapping) added a fun sensory element without being overwhelming. We mostly used it in the lead-up to Halloween when excitement was high, it’s noisy, but in the best way.

The Halloween Tree

This story felt different from the usual Halloween books, it’s more about building your own traditions than costumes or candy. My son really connected with the idea of decorating a tree for Halloween (which we actually tried after reading this). It’s imaginative and warm, with just enough whimsy to make it special.

The Berenstain Bears Happy Halloween!

The Berenstain Bears always had a way of making seasonal events feel relatable. This one covers all the preschool highlights, costumes, trick-or-treating, and a few gentle lessons about bravery. My son liked it because he already knew the characters, and I appreciated the calm, reassuring tone about the holiday.

Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete

This lift-the-flap book was well loved in our house, so much so, we had to tape a few flaps back on. Pete’s laid-back attitude made Halloween feel easy and fun. The interactive elements helped hold my son’s attention and added just enough novelty to keep him flipping pages.

Froggy’s Halloween

Froggy always makes us laugh. His Halloween adventure, full of excitement, costume confusion, and classic Froggy energy, felt very true to life with a preschooler. It’s silly and a little chaotic, in the best way, and it helped my son feel more confident about what to expect that night.

Llama Llama Trick or Treat

This one was our go-to for quick bedtime reading in October. It’s short and sweet, but still manages to capture all the Halloween excitement. Llama Llama’s wide-eyed wonder at everything spooky-but-safe made it perfect for those early preschool years when kids are just learning what Halloween is all about.

Little Blue Truck’s Halloween

Little Blue Truck was already a favorite in our house, so this Halloween version was a no-brainer. The lift-the-flap format made it extra engaging, and my son loved guessing which friend was behind each costume. It’s gentle, friendly, and a great way to ease into the idea of dressing up.

Pumpkin Jack

This one surprised us with how thoughtful it was. After carving his jack-o’-lantern, a boy watches it slowly decompose, and grow again come spring. It quietly teaches the life cycle of a pumpkin in a way that stuck with my son more than any science worksheet. We even tried our own backyard experiment after reading it.

Big Pumpkin

The rhythm and repetition in Big Pumpkin are so fun to read aloud. A witch, vampire, and other spooky characters work together to pull a giant pumpkin off the vine, and preschoolers love the teamwork (and the bat’s clever solution). It’s a fun read with a satisfying ending and a not-so-scary vibe.

Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever!

This book feels like a cozy Halloween hug. Corduroy and friends prep for a Halloween party, and the story covers all the basics, decorating, dressing up, and spending time with friends. It’s perfect for preschoolers who prefer sweet over spooky and might be a little nervous about Halloween events.

The Night Before Halloween

We read this one every year as part of our Halloween countdown. It borrows the rhythm of The Night Before Christmas, which makes it super fun to read aloud. The monsters are silly, not scary, and the build-up to Halloween night helps preschoolers get excited in a way that feels familiar and safe.

The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat

This book helped open up conversations about Halloween safety and kindness when my son was little. It follows the bear cubs as they learn not to judge others based on appearances, especially an old neighbor who seems spooky but turns out to be lovely. A gentle reminder that not everything “scary” is what it seems.

Skeleton Hiccups

This was one of those books we read just for the laughs. A skeleton with the hiccups? It’s as silly as it sounds. The illustrations are simple and fun, and my son always cracked up at the hiccup “hic hic hic” sounds. Great for lightening the mood if Halloween feels too intense for your preschooler.

Peter Rabbit and the Pumpkin Patch

A sweet mix of Halloween and fall fun with a familiar character. Peter and friends sneak into the pumpkin patch, and while it’s more autumn-themed than spooky, the adventure and rich illustrations make it a nice pick for quieter moments. We paired it with a trip to our local pumpkin patch for a little real-life tie-in.

Bonaparte Falls Apart

Bonaparte quickly became one of my son’s favorite characters. He’s a skeleton who keeps falling apart, literally, but his friends help him come up with clever solutions. It’s a funny, heartfelt story about problem-solving and friendship, and one we returned to often, even outside of Halloween.

Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins

If your child already loves Pete the Cat, this one's a winner. It combines the classic Five Little Pumpkins rhyme with Pete’s signature coolness and bright, eye-catching illustrations. My son loved reading along with the rhythm, and it’s a great choice for circle time or a quick festive read.

Last Updated on 17 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Best Preschool Halloween Books

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