Put on your witch hat, carve some pumpkins, and get ready for Halloween! Every Halloween, I put on a special Halloween storytime for my youngest patrons to get them excited for the spookiest season of the year. Here are some books that I think will get your youngest patrons in the Halloween spirit!
Meowl-o-ween by Diane Muldrow (Astra Young Readers, 2023)
Have you ever wondered how cats celebrate Halloween? Meowl-o-ween answers this question and takes readers on an adventure-filled evening with one kitten who is overwhelmed by the festivities around them. This is a great story for young children, filled with rhymes and beautiful illustrations.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins (Disney Hyperion, 2023)
Mother Bruce is back and he is NOT excited for Halloween! This is a great story to read to older kids, especially Kindergarten and First Graders. Because this story has multiple characters playing major roles in the story, I would recommend having others participate in telling the story with you, perhaps the children listening, other library staff members, teen volunteers, or even parents and caretakers.
The Boo Crew Needs YOU! by Vicky Fang (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2023)
My storytime crew loves an interactive story and this is the perfect book for them! The Boo Crew needs help fixing their Halloween night and only your storytime group can help them. Complete with different tasks and questions for the readers, this is an engaging story for toddlers and preschoolers.
If Your Babysitter is a Bruja by Ana Siqueira (Simon & Schuster, 2022)
This bilingual picture is perfect fun for Spanish and English speakers alike! The illustrations are filled with Halloween colors and detailed illustrations. I would recommend purchasing this along with the Spanish translation and putting on a bilingual storytime.
No Such Thing by Ella Bailey (Flying Eye Books, 2022)
The core theme of this adorable picture book is to face your fears head on and have some fun doing it. This book is great for Halloween, complete with ghosts, pumpkins, black cats, and an air of mystery.
What are some spooky books you will read for your Halloween storytime?