Classic Halloween themed books for children

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Classic Halloween themed books for children aged 3 - 9 years old

Take a look at our favourite Halloween and Autumnal themed kids books to suit all levels of reading.

THE CLASSIC: FUNNY BONES BY JANET AND ALLAN AHLBERG

PUBLISHED: 1980
IDEAL FOR: 3-5 yrs

Can we even compile a list of best children's books without including the formidable duo that was the Ahlbergs? We think not. Having published over 100 children's books, we are Ahlberg fans. In this beloved first book about the Funnybones' we meet skeletons Big Funnybone, Little Funnybone and These Bones (their dog) as they. go on an adventure that starts on a dark, dark hill...you know the rest! BUY HERE >> Funnybones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

THE ONE ABOUT TRADITIONS: PICK A PUMPKIN BY PATRICIA TOHT, ILLUSTRATED BY JARVIS

PUBLISHED: 2019
IDEAL FOR: 3-7 yrs

This beautifully retro-style, illustrated book sees once again the perfect pairing of Toht and Jarvis (after festive fave Pick a Pine Tree) for a warm, autumnal and a rhythmic read-aloud text that captures all the excitement of Halloween. Once the decoration are hung, the costumes are on its time to ...pick a pumpkin! This book takes readers on a familial trip from pumpkin patch to a glowing jack-o’-lantern. BUY HERE >> Pick a Pumpkin by Patricia Toht and illustrated by Jarvis

THE ONE ABOUT UNUSUAL FRIENDSHIPS: HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH A GHOST BY REBECCA GREEN

PUBLISHED: 2017
IDEAL FOR: 3-8 yrs

A delightful picture book come manual on... how to make friend with a ghost! A sweet and tender storyline that gently tells the story of friendship, caring for others and the circle of life - and, how a ghost can be the perfect companion for rest of your life and beyond. With a beautiful, retro-inspired illustrations and stylish colour palette this book offer plenty of funny little details for young readers to find. BUY HERE >> How to Make Friends With a Ghost by Rebecca Green

THE PAGE-TURNER: THERE'S A GHOST IN THIS HOUSE BY OLIVER JEFFERS

PUBLISHED: 2021
IDEAL FOR: 3+ yrs

We're always excited to see a new Oliver Jeffers book on our desk - as you never know what you might get from the world-renowned artist and children's author. Case in point There's a Ghost in this House a captivating new picture book with interactive, mixed media illusions and transparent pages. Enter the house and turn the transparent pages to help the young girl of the story on an entertaining ghost hunt, from behind the sofa, right up to the attic and to the surprise ending. BUY HERE >> There's a Ghost in this House by Oliver Jeffers

More like this

PUBLISHED: 2008
IDEAL FOR: 4-7 yrs

An adorable and child friendly rendition of 'Stone Soup' (Stone Soup is a European folk story in which hungry strangers convince the people of a town to each share a small amount of their food in order to make a meal that everyone enjoys, and exists as a moral regarding the value of sharing). The story centres on Finnigan, who is known across the land for his infamous appetite, his eating stool, his eating spoon, and his gigantic eating mouth. But when he find himself in a new town on Halloween, he hopes to join an enormous feast with the creatures who live there. But not a body or soul will share any of their food with the ever- famished Finnigin. So what's a hungry skeleton to do? Read to find out.... BUY HERE >> Bone Soup by Cambria Evans

THE GENTLE GHOST STORY: NO SUCH THING: A HALLOWEEN PICTURE BOOK BY ELLA BAILEY

PUBLISHED: 2022
IDEAL FOR: 3-7 yrs

This book had us at the retro-style illustrations, featuring muted pink, blue and golds - so beautiful. Kids will love this super-cute story of Georgia who has noticed objects moving around the house on cool day in October. Follow her and find the friendly ghosts on each page who make mischief in this creative and gentle ghost story. BUY HERE >> No Such Thing: A halloween Picture book by Ella Bailey

THE ONE ABOUT BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF: GILBERT THE GHOST BY GUIDO VAN GENECHTEN

PUBLISHED: 2014
IDEAL FOR: 2-7 yrs

This charming picture book that will appeal to children about being different, fitting in and being true to ones-self. Ghost Gilbert is a very special ghost, ever since he was little. When he goes to Ghost school, he quickly makes a lot of new friends. Gilbert always cheerfully takes part in everything. But when the Principal wants him to call “Boooooooh” just like a real ghost, all Gilbert can do is whisper a soft “Bahoo”. Will Gilbert ever become a real ghost? Destined to become a halloween favourite. BUY HERE >> Gilbert the Ghost by Guido Van Genechten

THE ONE ABOUT FRIENDSHIP: GHOULIA bY BARBARA CANTINI

PUBLISHED: 2017
IDEAL FOR: 6 - 8yrs

The first book in the Ghoulia series by Cantini that centres on a little zombie girl who lives in Crumbling Manor with her Auntie Departed and spends most of her time playing with Tragedy, her beloved albino greyhound - when all she really wants is a real friend. Follow her as she ventures past the manor walls to meet the other children in the town; As she hatches a plan to 'fit in' when Halloween comes, as everyone will be dressed up like monsters, so they will not spot her pale green skin or the deep purple circles under her eyes. Or, will they uncover the real Ghoulia and realise she is (almost) just like them and that friendship can come in many forms? BUY HERE >> Ghoulia by Barbara Cantini

THE ONE ABOUT NEVER GIVING UP: THE WOST WITCH BY JILL MURPHY

PUBLISHED: 1974
IDEAL FOR: 7-9 yrs

No halloween would be complete without a trip to Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. This much-loved original story of life at a magical boarding school sees trainee Mildred Hubble in her many terms at this school of magic. The collection of 8-books follows Mildred as she keeps getting her spells wrong, crashing her broomstick and generally making an awful mess of it all. But the real chaos comes when she butts head with the teachers pet, Ethel making her her instant worst enemy... BUY HERE >> The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

THE ONE THAT WILL MAKE THEM LAUGH : THE SCARIEST BOOK EVER BY BOB SHEA

PUBLISHED: 2017
IDEAL FOR: 4-8 yrs

This fun, interactive book see the melodramatic ghost narrator talk directly to you the reader. Afraid of the woods outside you will follow this fearful yet, very likeable ghost as he (you) discovers the many delights and surprises ahead by the tiny 'peek' you both will take on every page. Will he learn in the end that not all things are as scary as they first seem? BUY HERE >> The Scariest Book Ever by Bob Shea

THE SPOOKY ONE : IN THE HAUNTED HOUSE BY EVE BUNTING, ILLUSTRATED BY SUSAN MEDDAUGH

PUBLISHED: 1990
IDEAL FOR: 4-7 yrs

This lift-the-flap and touch-and-feel version of the classic In the Haunted House (worth seeking out a vintage copy for additional images that add the the story) will appeal to younger readers. With an easier to read rhyming text by the prolific and beloved author Eve Bunting and the wickedly tongue-in-cheek illustrations by the wry and witty Susan Meddaugh, this tour of this dark, mysterious house sees glittery ghosts, soft bat wings, and surprises behind every door. the perfect Halloween book. BUY HERE >> In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh

THE ONE THAT BORE MANY A MOVIE : THE WITCHES BY ROALD DAHL, ILLUSTRATED BY QUENTIN BLAKE

PUBLISHED: 1983
IDEAL FOR: 7-9 yrs

"One child a week is fifty-two a year. Squish them and squiggle them and make them disappear." For nearly 40 years this Roald Dahl classic has delighted new and old fans - and spawned a movie or 2! Revealing the truth about witches - that real witches dress in ordinary clothes and look like ordinary women - but they are not ordinary. They are always plotting and scheming with murderous, bloodthirsty thoughts - and they hate children. And, they are EVERYWHERE. Do read or re-read this delightfully wicked and witty book that follows a boy and his grandmother as they travel from Norway to England to try and stop the Grand High Witch - who hates children most of all - and her plans to make every single one of THEM disappear. BUY HERE >> The Witches by Roald Dahl and Illustrated by Quentin Blake

THE ONE ABOUT BEING BRAVE : GHOSTS IN THE HOUSE BY KAZUNO KOHARA

PUBLISHED: 2010
IDEAL FOR: 3-6 yrs

We adore the old-fashioned charm of this simple book, that isn't at all dated and will capture children even today. Follow a clever, little girl who lives on the edge town with a spooky problem: Her house is haunted! Luckily she is a witch and knows a thing or two about dealing with ghosts. The striking illustrations in dynamic orange, black and white are fresh and really brings the story of a resourceful heroine and these spooky ghosts to life. BUY HERE >> Ghosts in the House by Kazuno Kohara

THE ONE ABOUT BELIEVING IN YOURSELF : THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS BY TIM BURTON

PUBLISHED: 1993
IDEAL FOR: 3-7 yrs

This is the first book written and illustrated by the incomparable visionary that is Tim Burton - the writer and producer of the movie of the same name too. Originating from a poem written by Burton in 1982, The Nightmare before Christmas tells the spooky tale of Jack Skellington is the most important figure in Halloween Town. For years Jack has delighted in organising macabre tricks and frights for this festive occasion, but this year he doesn't feel right - there must be more to life than scaring people? Thats when Jack stumbles upon a cheerful, colourful place called Christmas Town and he knows what he must do - he will bring Christmas to Halloween! Children will relate to the underlying message that we have good ideas and intentions but there will always be people that misinterpret them and bring you down but you always have to get back up, keep tying and always do your best. The perfect autumn book that will last way beyond halloween night. BUY HERE >> The Nightmare before Christmas by Tim Burton

THE ONE ABOUT INCLUSION : GUSTAVO, THE SHY GHOST BY FLAVIA Z. DRAGO

PUBLISHED: 2019
IDEAL FOR: 3-7 yrs

A sweet, spooky and offbeat story about a ghost called Gustavo who is good at so many paranormal things but with one little problem - he is incredibly shy! This makes it hard for him to do some things and more than anything he wants a friend. So, plucking up all his courage, he sends a very special letter: “Dear Monsters, I would like to invite you to my violin concert at the Day of the Dead party…”. With detail, humour and stunning illustrations inspired by Dragos' upbringing Mexico City this is a story of courage, friendship and being true to your quirky self. BUY HERE >> Gustavo: The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago