Not so Spooky Halloween Stories for Toddlers
Halloween stories for toddlers provide a fun and gentle introduction to the spooky season, blending festive excitement with lighthearted themes. These stories often feature friendly witches, smiling pumpkins, and silly monsters, making them enjoyable without being too frightening. Designed with young readers in mind, these books typically emphasize curiosity, friendship, and problem-solving, helping toddlers explore Halloween in a fun and non-scary way. With their vibrant illustrations and simple plots, these stories captivate little ones while introducing them to Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating, costumes, and pumpkin carving.
Not so Spooky Halloween Stories for Toddlers
Many Halloween books for toddlers also incorporate familiar characters from popular children's series, like Curious George, Llama Llama, and Pete the Cat, making the stories even more engaging. The repetitive language and rhyming patterns in many of these stories help build toddlers’ language skills while keeping the content playful. Overall, Halloween books for toddlers serve as a great way to celebrate the holiday, encouraging imagination and helping children enjoy the fun side of Halloween night without fear. Snuggle up and read these not so spooky stories all Halloween season long!
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
In this delightful rhyming tale, a kind witch picks up new friends as she flies on her broomstick. Together, they help save her from a hungry dragon. The story emphasizes friendship, teamwork, and the joy of helping others, making it a fun and heartwarming Halloween read for toddlers.The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams
This classic story for Halloween follows a brave little old lady as she encounters spooky objects like clomping shoes and wiggling gloves. Instead of being scared, she finds clever ways to use them, ultimately creating a friendly scarecrow. The repetitive text and growing suspense make this a perfect read-aloud with a reassuring message.Pete the Cat: Five Little Pumpkins by James Dean
In this Halloween-themed version of the classic "Five Little Pumpkins" rhyme, Pete the Cat helps count down as the pumpkins sit on a gate. With vibrant illustrations and a familiar rhythm, toddlers can enjoy singing along as the pumpkins roll away one by one. The playful storyline and Pete’s laid-back charm make this a hit for young readers.Mouse’s First Halloween by Lauren Thompson
Mouse experiences Halloween for the first time, encountering things that initially seem scary but turn out to be harmless and fun. From spooky shapes in the night to bats and leaves, Mouse learns that Halloween isn't so frightening after all. The sweet and gentle illustrations make this a comforting introduction to Halloween for toddlers making it extra fun!Llama Llama Trick or Treat by Anna Dewdney
Llama Llama is back, this time preparing for Halloween by picking out a costume, carving a pumpkin, and going trick-or-treating. With simple, rhyming text and familiar characters, this board book is perfect for toddlers who are just learning about Halloween traditions. The playful tone and charming illustrations capture the excitement of the holiday.Happy Halloween, Curious George by Margret & H.A. Rey
Curious George is full of mischief as he prepares for Halloween, helping with decorations and picking out his costume. When things don’t go as planned, George finds creative solutions and learns new things along the way. This interactive book includes flaps to lift, making it an engaging and playful read for toddlers.Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
In this interactive book, children get to take control of a monster by building him up and then making him disappear, piece by piece. The bright colors and simple design make it a fun way for toddlers to confront their fears in a playful, empowering way. It’s a perfect mix of spookiness and fun, just right for the Halloween season.Where’s My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi
This sweet story follows Little Mummy as he searches for his mommy on Halloween night, encountering friendly bats, skeletons, and other spooky creatures. Despite the dark setting, the story is more humorous than scary, with a warm, reassuring ending. The playful illustrations and simple text are perfect for toddlers experiencing Halloween for the first time.Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O’Connell
Ten little ghosts live in a haunted house until a mischievous witch tries to scare them away. As each ghost is frightened off, the group finds clever ways to reclaim their home. With counting and rhyming elements, this engaging story helps toddlers with early math skills while providing a fun Halloween adventure.Boo! by Leslie Patricelli
In this board book, a toddler picks out a costume and goes trick-or-treating for the first time. The bold, simple illustrations and lively text capture the excitement and wonder of Halloween through a toddler's eyes. It’s a perfect introduction to the holiday for the youngest readers, with just the right amount of Halloween fun.Spooky Pookie by Sandra Boynton
In this adorable board book, Pookie the pig is trying to pick out the perfect Halloween costume. Each one seems a little wrong until he finally finds the right one. Sandra Boynton’s playful rhymes and charming illustrations make this a fun, non-scary Halloween story perfect for toddlers who love dress-up.Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
A playful parody of “Goodnight Moon,” this spooky version replaces the gentle bedtime tale with mummies, monsters, and werewolves. Despite the creepy characters, the rhyming text and humorous illustrations keep it light and silly. Toddlers will enjoy spotting all the Halloween-themed twists in this familiar format.Click, Clack, Boo! A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin
Farmer Brown isn’t a fan of Halloween, but the barnyard animals are excited to celebrate. They plan a spooky party while Farmer Brown hides inside, only to be surprised by the fun at the end. The story is filled with humor and familiar characters, making it a fun and festive read for Halloween.It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
From the creators of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie," this story features Mouse as he carves different pumpkin faces—happy, sad, and silly. The simple, repetitive language and cheerful illustrations make this an engaging book for toddlers. It’s a perfect introduction to pumpkin carving and Halloween fun.The Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry
This sweet story follows a little pumpkin who rolls away on an adventure, inspired by the classic “Itsy Bitsy Spider” rhyme. As the pumpkin faces obstacles, it eventually finds its way home, offering a gentle, reassuring tale for young readers. With its cute illustrations and simple text, it’s a great book for toddlers who love nursery rhymes.Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A witch grows a gigantic pumpkin for her Halloween pie, but it’s too big to move on her own. With the help of a ghost, vampire, and mummy, they finally pull it loose. This is a humorous story about cooperation, with rhythmic, repetitive text that’s perfect for reading aloud to toddlers.Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
This is a simple retelling of the popular Halloween rhyme about five pumpkins sitting on a gate. The colorful illustrations and rhythmic text make it easy for toddlers to follow along and even memorize. It’s a fun and festive book that celebrates the magic of Halloween in a gentle, playful way.Peppa’s Halloween Party by Scholastic
Peppa Pig and her friends are excited to celebrate Halloween by dressing up and attending a party. This short story follows the characters as they carve pumpkins, play games, and enjoy treats. The familiar characters and festive setting make it a delightful read for Peppa Pig fans during Halloween.Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli
Little Boo is a tiny pumpkin seed who desperately wants to be scary, but he’s told he has to wait. Throughout the story, he learns patience as he grows into a big jack-o’-lantern by the next Halloween. This is a charming story about the changing seasons and the passage of time, with a message of patience for young readers.We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House by Richard Krieb
This rhythmic story follows a group of children in costume as they make their way to a spooky witch’s house. Along the way, they encounter different Halloween creatures, but nothing is too scary. The repetitive text and lively pace make this an engaging, slightly spooky adventure for toddlers.Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
This sweet and educational story follows a boy who carves a jack-o’-lantern for Halloween and watches it rot and decompose in the garden. The next year, a new pumpkin grows from the seeds left behind. This book beautifully illustrates the cycle of life and nature’s magic, making it both entertaining and informative for toddlers.Trick or Treat, Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
In this Halloween-themed Pout-Pout Fish adventure, Mr. Fish and his friends go trick-or-treating, each wearing different costumes. The rhyming text is easy to follow, and the familiar Pout-Pout characters make this a comforting, festive read. It’s a fun and lighthearted Halloween book for toddlers who love the series.Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo! by Tad Hills
Duck and Goose prepare for Halloween and try to guess each other's costumes in this playful, gentle story. The colorful illustrations and simple dialogue are engaging for toddlers, and the story focuses on the fun of dressing up. It’s a perfect read for young fans of Duck and Goose who are excited about Halloween.Skeleton for Dinner by Margery Cuyler
In this story, Skeleton and Ghost misunderstand when they overhear a witch saying they’re "for dinner," and they set off on a spooky but humorous adventure. The story’s light tone and amusing plot make it a fun Halloween read without being too scary. It’s a great choice for toddlers who enjoy a bit of silly suspense.Max's Halloween by Rosemary Wells
Max wants to collect candy on Halloween, but his bossy older sister Ruby keeps getting in the way. This sibling rivalry is both sweet and relatable, with Max’s persistence winning out in the end. The story is simple and humorous, making it an enjoyable read for toddlers, especially those familiar with the Max and Ruby series.Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle
Little Blue Truck and his animal friends dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating in this lift-the-flap board book. Each flap reveals a different animal in costume, adding an element of surprise and excitement for toddlers. The bright illustrations and gentle rhyming text make this a fun and interactive Halloween read.Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett
This rhyming book captures the excitement of the Halloween season, from decorating and picking costumes to trick-or-treating. The colorful illustrations and bouncy text build anticipation for the big day. It’s a perfect read for toddlers who are just beginning to experience the excitement of Halloween traditions.Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas
When Duck accidentally gets stuck inside a pumpkin while trying to carve it, his friends mistake him for a pumpkin head monster. The humorous misunderstandings and silly illustrations make this a lighthearted and fun Halloween story. It’s perfect for toddlers who enjoy slapstick humor and simple, bold artwork.If You’re Spooky and You Know It by Aly Fronis
This Halloween-themed twist on the classic "If You’re Happy and You Know It" song encourages toddlers to clap, stomp, and shout along with spooky actions. The repetitive text and engaging actions make it interactive and perfect for young readers who love music and movement. It’s a great choice for Halloween storytime or parties.Scaredy-Cat, Splat! by Rob Scotton
Splat the Cat wants to have the scariest Halloween costume, but things don’t go as planned. The humorous storyline and Splat’s lovable personality make this a charming read, with a focus on overcoming fears and having fun. Toddlers will enjoy the silly twists and detailed illustrations. This isnt your average black cats, Splat is one of our favorite short storiesHow to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan
In this humorous story, children learn how to scare a ghost using various spooky tricks and treats. The lighthearted text and amusing illustrations keep the tone playful, showing that ghosts aren’t really scary after all. It’s a great book for toddlers who enjoy interactive stories and Halloween fun with a happy ending!!The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan & Jan Berenstain
Sister and Brother Bear are excited for Halloween, but they’re also a little nervous about the spooky house at the end of the street. This classic Berenstain Bears story teaches a gentle lesson about not judging others based on appearances. It’s a perfect mix of Halloween excitement and valuable lessons for toddlers with positive messages throughout.The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills
This Halloween twist on the classic “Wheels on the Bus” song features a bus filled with spooky creatures like ghosts, witches, and bats. Toddlers will enjoy singing along to the familiar tune while engaging with the fun, Halloween-themed lyrics. It’s a playful and musical introduction to the spooky season.
It is Halloween season, and great books are a great way to celebrate this time of year! If you are looking for ways to get into the Halloween spirit, I suggest grabbing a few Halloween board books from your local library or bookstore and cuddling up with the best Halloween books for kids that you will love to read as well! These great Halloween board books are great for your tiny reader and their busy hands to help share the love of reading with a fun themed not-so-scary story and Halloween book.
This Halloween picture book list has classic tales with colorful illustrations for young children to find a new favorite from this list of best children's books as Halloween approaches.
Halloween themes Books are such a fun way to get into the spirit of a holiday and Halloween is no exception. We read a lot of themed children's stories leading up to Halloween to prepare and these seasonal story Halloween Books for Kids are the perfect choice for your bookshelf or to check out from your local library with your young boy or young girl!
Whether your reader or student loves a graphic novel, scary stories, ghost story, Halloween adventures with a best friend, spooky story or chapter books or just Halloween fun, this Halloween book list has something for everyone!
Halloween books for toddlers offer a wonderful way to introduce young children to the magic and excitement of the holiday. These stories bring the festive spirit of Halloween to life through colorful illustrations, simple plots, and lovable characters, all while remaining lighthearted and non-scary. By focusing on fun elements like pumpkins, costumes, and friendly monsters, these books help children build positive associations with the holiday and spark their imaginations in a safe, comforting environment.
In addition to being fun, many of these books also support early literacy development through repetitive language, rhymes, and engaging storylines that are easy for toddlers to follow. Whether it's through interactive flaps, sing-along rhymes, or counting games, these stories make reading enjoyable and accessible for even the youngest readers. As children explore the worlds of witches, friendly ghost stories, and pumpkins, they also learn important lessons about friendship, courage, and patience, making these Halloween books both entertaining and educational.
Ultimately, Halloween books for toddlers provide a special opportunity to celebrate the holiday together as a family. Reading these stories aloud can create treasured memories, as toddlers begin to recognize the fun in Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating, dressing up in costumes, and carving pumpkins. Whether you're looking for a sweet bedtime read or a playful daytime story, these Halloween books are the perfect way to introduce young children to the spooky season in a joyful and age-appropriate way.
