No one picks storybooks better than our library staff!
We’ve asked them to share their favorite Halloween books for young readers and early literacy. Here’s what they came up with:
Picture Storybooks
Hallo-wiener by Dav Pilkey
All the other dogs make fun of Oscar the dachshund until one Halloween when, dressed as a hotdog, he bravely rescues the others.
“This was always a family favorite for our kids.” ~ Tim, Associate Director of Community Libraries
“It’s super silly and has a fun twist at the end.” ~ Mallory, Wenatchee Library
The Jasper Rabbit Series by Aaron Reynolds
Humorous, slightly spooky, and suspenseful stories for young readers
~ Recommended by Jenny, Chelan Library
By the Light of the Halloween Moon by Caroline Stutson
A host of Halloween spooks, including a cat, a witch, and a ghoul, are drawn to the tapping of a little girl’s toe.
~ Recommended by Evynn, Soap Lake Library
Oh Halloween Tree by Dori Elys
In this spoof on O Tannenbaum, cute ghosts and goblins decorate their Halloween tree to reflect the season’s festive air.
~ Recommended by Ashley, Cashmere Library
Zen Ghosts by Jon Muth
On Halloween night, Stillwater the giant panda tells Karl, Addy, and Michael a spooky and unusual story.
~ Recommended by April, Coulee City
Witch Cat by Lucy Rowland
A charming, delightfully rhyming story about finding where you belong.
~ Recommended by Annika, Winthrop Library
A Halloween Scare in Washington by Eric James
On Halloween, when ghouls and ghosts, beasts and banshees, vampires and witches are on the prowl, are you prepared for the scariest night in Washington?
~ Recommended by Annika, Winthrop Library
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
A little old lady who is not afraid of anything must deal with a pumpkin head, a tall black hat, and other spooky objects that follow her through the dark woods trying to scare her.
~ Recommended by Abby, Children’s Services Manager, and Sage, Grand Coulee Library
Trick or Treat on Scary Street by Lance Bass
Trick-or-treaters are given an extra scare on Halloween.
~ Recommended by Gracie, Leavenworth Library
Vampire Jam Sandwich by Casey Lyall
Once upon a time, a vampire took a bite of a jam sandwich. And you know what happens when a vampire bites you. That’s right. The jam sandwich has become . . . a vampire jam sandwich..
~ Recommended by Clare, Peshastin Library
Young Readers
Ghost Book by Remy Lai
When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend.
~ Recommended by Esmeralda, Mattawa Library
Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard
The kids in Room 207 take advantage of their teacher’s good nature until she disappears and they are faced with a vile substitute.
~ Recommended by Esmeralda, Mattawa Library
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Garlic feels as though she’s always doing something wrong. When her village of vegetable folk learns that a bloodthirsty vampire has moved into the nearby castle, they all agree that, in spite of her fear and self-doubt, Garlic is the obvious choice to confront him”
“A super cute garden plot graphic novel that features a head of garlic that goes on an adventure to see a spooky vampire.” ~ Molly, Wenatchee Library
Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
A collection of scary, funny, fast-paced horror-comedy stories for kids and preteens.
~ Recommended by Génesis, Mattawa Library
Deephaven by Ethan Aldridge
When Guinevere “Nev” Tallow receives an acceptance letter to the exclusive Deephaven Academy, they know it’s the fresh start that they’ve been looking for. But things are strange from the moment they arrive–the house itself seems to breathe, students whisper secrets in dark corridors, and the entire east wing of the academy is locked away for reasons no one wants to explain.
~ Recommended by Gracie, Leavenworth Library
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen
In a big abandoned house, on a barren hill, lives a skull. A brave girl named Otilla has escaped from terrible danger and run away, and when she finds herself lost in the dark forest, the lonely house beckons. Her host, the skull, is afraid of something too, something that comes every night. Can brave Otilla save them both?
~ Recommended by Clare, Peshastin Library
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