Halloween is just over a week away! Children's authors continue to fill our shelves with totally excellent spooky reads, and I have gone through to see what's been published in the past four years. Here are some of my most favorites! Be sure to check out the full list, as well, where I've gathered 100 new(ish) titles.
I am absolutely obsessed with this one! This book is like a sprinkle-Spanish comic strip brought to life. Little Lobo is getting ready to celebrate Halloween with his friends. They all get dressed up and hit the streets for some Trick or Treat. All along the way are lots of other creatures in costumes and delicious treats. The imagery is colorful and engaging, with lots of Spanish words labeling the different objects in the story. The day after Halloween, Lobo goes to prepare ofrendas, or altars full of offerings, for his dearly departed family members. All of the animals in town are celebrating by decorating altars, visiting the graves of their family members, and enjoying the festivities. There is music and dancing and yummy food. At the end of the story, the author provides a glossary of all the Spanish words, a personal note about the story, and an at-home DIY tissue paper flower activity. I highly recommend this book, as it represents not just Halloween, but also El Día de Los Muertos, a beloved Latin-American holiday. I can't wait to check out the other books in the ¡Vamos! series!
This quirky picture book follows Otilla, a little girl who has run away from home and into the forest on a wintery night. She stumbles upon an old house and is greeted by a talking skull, who welcomes her to his home. The two quickly become friends, and the skull gives her a tour of the house, bottomless pit and all. After exploring the mansion, Otilla asks if she might stay there for the night. The skull agrees, but warns her that he has a spooky secret that comes out at night. I don't want to ruin the surprise for any potential readers, but in the end, Otilla saves them both! Jon Klassen's distinctive illustration style adds a playful yet eerie tone, making this folktale both engaging and thought-provoking for young readers. The Skull is a delightful read for Halloween, but may be a little bit scary for younger kids! Definitely take a peek at it yourself before sharing it with the children in your life.
Janelle is so excited to go Trick or Treating in the suburbs of New York again this year, until she finds out that both of her parents have to work. No one on her block celebrates Halloween, so she starts asking around at school. All of her friends have different plans in the city that all sound like a lot of fun, but she doesn't know which one to choose! One of her friends is going to walk along a street full of bodegas, another is going to Trick or Treat in his cousin's apartment building, and yet another invites her to a party at the Recreation Center. After mulling it over for a night and talking to some of her neighbors, Janelle has a brilliant idea. She decides to hand out homemade cookies and treats at her dad's store! Together, they decorate the outside of the store and have their own little Halloween parade. I love how this book explores the many different ways to celebrate spooky season, even in the big city!
This sweet, rhyming read is perfect for all ages. A young child discovers the joy of storytelling through the bedtime stories his mother shares with him each night. One night, however, he realizes how unfair it is that all the ghouls and monsters of the world have no one to read to them before bed. His mom agrees to follow him out into the darkness of the night in order to fulfill his mission of providing his spooky friends with a bedtime read-aloud. Charles Santoso's whimsical illustrations give life to the monsters, who watch in awe as the boy reads. This adorable Halloween story highlights the magic of books and reading, emphasizing how stories can create connections, spark imagination, and provide comfort. This is a yearly must-read from here on out!
As you can tell, there is so much to read this All Hallows' Eve, and there truly is something for everyone! Whether it's baby's first spooky season or you're reading to a Trick-or-Treat veteran, check out the full list of Picture Books for Halloween 2024. May these gorgeous books bring you back to life this Samhain!.˚⊹.🎃₊˚𖦹⋆ .˚⊹.🎃₊˚𖦹⋆
