This Halloween book round-up includes picture books, a graphic novel, and a picture book biography. I’m giving away Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume and a prize pack for The Mortification of Fovea Munson To enter to win either prize, please fill out the Rafflecopter at the bottom.
On Halloween, kids love to have fun. They like Halloween books, costumes, and Halloween accessories. What are your favorite Halloween books for kids? Thanks for sharing!
7 Children’s Books for Halloween
Go To Sleep, Little Creep by David Quinn, illustrated by Ashley Spires
Even ghoulish parents have trouble getting their little ones to bed! Mummies, vampires, and other creepy creatures implore their children to go to bed. In rhyming verse and with charming and not-at-all-scary illustrations, this is the perfect bedtime book for October! [picture book, ages 2 and up]
Mother Ghost: Nursery Rhymes for Little Monsters by Rachel Kolar, illustrated by Roland Garrigue
I love how this Halloween-themed picture book sneaks in poems that are a riff on classic nursery rhymes. Pair with the classics for a comparison! I actually find this monster version more fun than the originals! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
The Frightful Ride of Michael McMichael by Bonny Becker, illustrated by Mark Fearing
This picture book starts off with a similar beginning to ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, but it veers off into its own rhyming scheme. This could be a Halloween version, though, of a classic rhyming poem. In this book, Michael McMichael is a nice boy taking something to his grandmother but his bus ride proves to be more than just transportation. Michael McMichael uses his wits to outsmart the scary driver and all is well on this unusual bus. Kids who are not easily scared will like this Halloween-themed adventure particularly those who take the bus! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume
The wildly popular cartoon character, Peppa Pig, tries to decide what she wants to be for Halloween. All her ideas are already taken by her friends so she comes up with an idea that matches practicality with fantasy. The Peppa Pig picture books are not my favorite, but then I am not a fan of the animated TV show. This a case where the book is not as good as the “movie” but I don’t think that matters to young fans. [picture book, ages 2 and up]
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelly Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton, illustrated by Felicita Sala
Mary Shelly created Frankenstein to win a ghostwriting competition held in the house of Lord Byron where she was staying. She was just twenty years old and didn’t have a story the night before the contest was to end. Her story combined different elements from her real life: a memory of a science experiment when she was young, her deceased mother’s own daring writing, and her imagination. Her story of Frankenstein was eventually made into a play, making Mary famous. This is a great book to show girls role models of strong women who overcame obstacles to reach their dreams. [picture book biography, ages 5 and up]
Fake Blood by Whitney Gardner
My 13-year-old son abandoned this book because of the slow start. He’s not interested in girls yet so the first half of the book focuses on a 6th-grade boy and his crush turned him off. The second part of the book changes up the plot into a Halloween-worthy story involving vampires — real and fake — and a new teacher with his own relationship issues. I would recommend this to readers who like relationship-based stories mixed with vampire adventure. [graphic novel, ages 10 and up]
The Mortification of Fovea Munson by Mary Hinn Heider
True, her parents own a cadaver lab where they perform surgeries on dead bodies. And yes, that makes her gross by association, at least according to everyone in seventh grade. And sure, Fovea’s stuck working at the lab now that her summer camp plans have fallen through. But she is by no means Dr. Frankenstein’s snuffling assistant! That is, until three disembodied heads, left to thaw in the wet lab, start talking. To her. Out loud. What seems like a nightmare, or bizarre hallucination, is not. Fovea is somebody’s Igor, all right. Three people, actually. And they need a favor.
With a madcap sense of humor and a lot of heart (not to mention other body parts), this is a story about finding oneself, finding one’s friends, and embracing the moment. [middle grade, ages 8 and up]
Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume & a prize pack for The Mortification of Fovea Munson GIVEAWAY!
I’m giving away Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume and a prize pack for The Mortification of Fovea Munson.
There are two winners. One for Peppa Pig and the Halloween Costume. The other for:
- Copy of The Mortification of Fovea Munson
- And a $50 Visa gift card to (trick-or)-treat yourself!
To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. I can only mail to U.S. addresses.
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award longlist
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I cannot wait to read She Made a Monster–love Mary Shelley and am a HUGE fan of Felicita Sala’s art–it’s wonderful. It would make a perfect pairing with Lita Judge’s Mary’s Monster–loved both the writing and her art for it.
It’s such an interesting book about how she wrote Frankenstein and the illustrations match the text so perfectly!
“What are your favorite Halloween books for kids?” I would love to see that “Mother Ghost” book–the cover is so gorgeous! And the “Fovea Monson” book sounds very intriguing!
It is a lovely cover! Thanks for entering John!
We love There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat
Thanks for entering Ashley and for your great book recommendation!
I like The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat.
Thanks for your great book rec Mami!
Room on the Broom is definitely my favorite to read my grandsons!
That is a fan favorite! Thanks Janet!
The great pumpkin Charlie Brown.
Such a great classic Bridgett! Thanks for your book rec!
I like The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury.
That sounds scary in a good way!
It’s Pumpkin Time by Zoe Hall and Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton for younger readers.
Other favorites in our household:
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams and Megan Lloyd.
Berenstein Bears Trick or Treat by Stan and Jan Berenstein
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz
Great list! Thanks Debra!
I love reading books to my daughters who are 3 and 5 year old, but we actually don’t have any Halloween books. I would love to win these, especially the Peppa Pig book. They are huge Peppa Pig fans! 🙂
Thanks for entering Amy!
Great giveaway, Thanks! My daughter LOVES Halloween. She would rather have 1 Halloween, than 10 Christmas’!!
I can understand why! Thanks for entering Jane!
I think its called Raining Bats and Frogs!
Great title! Thanks Jamie!
My favorite is The great pumpkin Charlie Brown because it is sweet and I know it is safe and not scary.
I’m glad for sweet Halloween books too!
Room on the broom is a favorite.
That is probably the crowd favorite here! Congrats to Room on a Broom. Thanks for entering Shelly and for your great book suggestion!
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or the Charles Addams cartoon collections, depending on our ages.
That is a crowd favorite! Thanks for entering Beth!
i love halloween tree. i read it 5 times.
I will have to find a copy to read it. That’s high praise Alex!
Room on the Broom is my sons favorite Halloween book.
That is a crowd pleaser! Thanks for your book rec Susan!
How To Make Friends With A Ghost by Rebecca Green
We recently checked this book out from the library and LOVED the beautiful illustrations and gentle humor.
I found your blog looking for recommendations for books celebrating Korean culture (my daughter is hapa). I’m so glad I found it!
Hi Donna,
Thanks so much!!
Room on the Broom is my favorite Halloween book.
Hi Ellie,
Yay for Room on the Broom! Thanks for entering!
Room on a broom is our favorite.
Hi Deborah,
Everyone seems to love Room on a Broom! Thanks for entering!
I like Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson.
Hi HS,
Thanks for your great book pick!
Our fave is Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Hi Birdie,
Yay for Room on a Broom!! It’s such a popular Halloween favorite!
Our fave is Where’s My Mummy?
by Carolyn Crimi
Hi Birdie,
That sounds fun! Thanks for entering!
I just read her Pinkalicious: Pink or Treat! I also love Spooky Pookie.
Thanks for your great book suggestions Stephanie!
My favorite is Biscuit’s Halloween!
Hi Tracie,
Biscuit helped my middle daughter learn to read. There will always be a place in my heart for that series!
we love the great pumpkin charlie brown – thanks for the chance
Thanks for entering Connie!
My granddaughter loves… Pinkalicious – Pink Or Treat.
Hi Marilyn,
Such a fun series! Thanks for entering!
I love Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton.
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for your great book recommendation. We love Sandra Boynton too but Spooky Pookie is new to me and I’ll be on the hunt to read it!
I can only recall room on the broom
Hi Tabathia,
Room on a Broom is a favorite! Thanks for entering!
Clifford’s Halloween is one of our favorite books.
Hi Eileen,
Thanks so much for entering and for your great book rec! Clifford series was a favorite of mine as a child.