These toddler-friendly Halloween books are un-BOO-lievably cute! Some help teach concepts like rhyming or counting, while others are simply fun, seasonal stories. Find these books at a library near you using the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ Commonwealth Catalog.
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
“A Halloween version of the cumulative Russian folktale, The Turnip, Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman is big fun! The characters in this story work together to pull a pumpkin off the vine.” -Pre-K Pages
Skills/Themes: Rhythm, Repetition, Sharing, Teamwork
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
“Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, she heard…clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap. With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.” – Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Predictions, Sequencing, Retelling, Vocabulary
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
“The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch’s hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends?”-Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Rhyme, Sharing, Teamwork
Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli
“Young children will definitely relate to the sweet story of Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli. This gentle tale recounts the life cycle of a seed and also serves as a metaphor for growing up.” -Pre-K Pages
Skills/Themes: Life Cycles, Patience
Dem Bones by Bob Barner
“Bob Barner, renowned children’s author and artist has taken the classic African American spiritual “Dem Bones” and turned it into a fabulous book by the same name. Dem Bones combines the rhythmic song with Barner’s signature torn paper collages. If the lesson about the bones of the skeleton are beyond your kids the illustrations and the rhythm of the main text is more than enough to keep them engaged.” -Pre-K Pages
Skills/Themes: Rhyme, Rhythm, Vocabulary, Science (anatomy)
The Legend of the Great Pumpkin (Peanuts) by Charles M. Schulz
“Linus loves one thing more than his cherished blue blanket: The Great Pumpkin! He believes that on Halloween night the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring presents to all the kids in the world. Will Linus and his friends ever finally see him? Learn all about the legend of the Great Pumpkin in this adorable board book based on the classic Peanuts comic strips!”- Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Sharing, Teamwork, Patience
Ten Orange Pumpkins: A Counting Book by Stephen Savage
“In this Halloween countdown book, ten orange pumpkins are each carried off by a witch, a ghost, a spider, and other Halloween creatures until there’s just one!” – New York Public Library
Skills/Themes: Counting, Rhyme
Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! by Don Freeman
“Halloween is almost here, and Corduroy can’t wait! He is going to have a party. He and his friends will carve a jack-o’-lantern, bob for apples, and go trick-or-treating! But there is one problem-Corduroy needs to choose a costume. What will he wear?” -Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Sharing, Teamwork
The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry
“This gently spooky twist on “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” makes a favorite nursery rhyme just perfect for Halloween! A little pumpkin is trying to find his way back home! And with a little help from a friendly witch, he is soon safe and sound, back on his porch—where there are no spiders to be seen! Little ones will love this fresh fall spin on a classic nursery rhyme!” -Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Rhyme, Rhythm
Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton
“It’s Halloween! What will little Pookie decide to be this year? Pookie tries on costumes one by one, but somehow can’t find just the right thing. The resolution to Pookie’s dilemma will delight toddlers and their caregivers alike.” -Goodreads
Skills/Themes: Rhyme, Rhythm
Sources:
1. Pre-K Pages
3. Goodreads
