The Best Halloween Books for Kids of All Ages

Halloween is the perfect excuse to make reading feel a little more magical. Cosy pyjamas, pumpkin decorations and a stack of spooky stories make for a brilliant October evening, whether your child loves friendly ghosts or would rather keep the monsters firmly on the page.

From funny witches and cheeky skeletons for toddlers to genuinely spooky adventures for older children, here are some of the best Halloween books for kids to enjoy this autumn.

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Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

A Halloween reading list would not feel complete without Room on the Broom. Follow a friendly witch and her cat as they fly through the night sky and pick up some unexpected passengers along the way.

With rhyming text and colourful illustrations by Axel Scheffler, it is a brilliant Halloween book for toddlers and younger children. Spooky enough to feel seasonal, but never too scary.

Paddington’s Halloween Party

If your little one prefers Halloween with more cosy cuddles and fewer creepy creatures, Paddington is a brilliant choice.

Paddington’s Trick or Treat brings everyone’s favourite bear into the Halloween fun, with costumes, celebrations and plenty of the gentle chaos Paddington is famous for. It is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who are excited about Halloween but might not be ready for anything genuinely frightening.

Funnybones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg

Skeletons might sound scary, but Funnybones is anything but frightening.

The story follows a family of skeletons on their nighttime adventures. With plenty of repetition and humour for younger children to join in with. It is a brilliant choice for a Halloween bedtime story and one that little readers can quickly become familiar with.

Winnie the Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul

Winnie the Witch is colourful, funny and wonderfully chaotic. Her magical adventures are packed with spells, surprises and mishaps. Making these books perfect for children who like witches but prefer their Halloween stories to be more funny than frightening.

The colourful illustrations are also a big hit with younger children.

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason

This sweet story follows a little ghost who is different from the others because he is made from a quilt.

Rather than focusing on being scary, the story celebrates being different and discovering your own strengths. It makes a lovely Halloween choice for children who prefer gentle, heartwarming stories.

The Baddies by Julia Donaldson

If your child likes their Halloween stories with a little bit of mischief, The Baddies by Julia Donaldson is a brilliant choice. The story follows a little girl who moves into a new home and discovers three rather unpleasant characters who are determined to frighten her.

With plenty of humour, colourful illustrations and a satisfying twist. It has all the ingredients of a fun spooky story without being too frightening for younger readers. It is a great choice for children who love witches, ghosts and monsters but still want a story that ends with a smile.

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

For children ready to move on from picture books, The Worst Witch is a brilliant Halloween read.

Mildred Hubble attends a school for witches and has a remarkable talent for getting herself into trouble. With magic, friendship and plenty of mishaps. It is a fun choice for children who enjoy longer stories without too much fright.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

For children who are ready for something properly spooky, The Witches is a Halloween classic.

Roald Dahl combines dark humour, memorable characters and plenty of suspense to create a story that feels genuinely creepy without becoming horror. It is best suited to older children who enjoy a little more fright with their Halloween reading.

Meg and Meg by Helen Nicole

Meg and Mog is a Halloween classic for little readers. Follow Meg the witch and her black cat Mog through their magical adventures. Complete with spells, mishaps and plenty of colourful illustrations. The simple stories make them a great choice for toddlers and preschoolers who are just getting into Halloween.

Little Monsters by David Walliams

For slightly older children, Little Monsters by David Walliams brings plenty of comedy and chaos to storytime. It is a fun choice for children who enjoy silly monsters, big imaginations and stories that are a little more mischievous than spooky.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy Crawly Halloween

Even the Very Hungry Caterpillar gets involved in Halloween! The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Creepy Crawly Halloween is a colourful and gentle introduction to the season for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. With familiar characters, Halloween creatures and bright illustrations. It is perfect for little ones who are not quite ready for anything scary.

The Dinosaur That Pooped Halloween

If your child finds toilet humour absolutely hilarious, The Dinosaur That Pooped Halloween is an easy win. Danny and his enormous dinosaur are back for a Halloween adventure filled with costumes, chaos and, naturally, plenty of pooping.

It is silly, funny and wonderfully ridiculous, making it a great Halloween story for toddlers and preschoolers who prefer their spooky season with a healthy dose of giggles.

Percy’s Park Pumpkin Party

Percy’s Park Pumpkin Party is a lovely Halloween themed story for younger children. Percy and his friends get together for a pumpkin filled celebration, making it a sweet choice for little readers who enjoy autumn, pumpkins and seasonal fun.

With a gentle story and familiar characters, it is perfect for a cosy Halloween bedtime read without anything too scary.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

For confident older readers, Coraline is an atmospheric and considerably creepier choice.

Coraline discovers a strange version of her home where everything initially seems better than reality, but things soon take a much darker turn. It is imaginative, eerie and compelling, although it is definitely one for children who enjoy properly spooky stories.

Make Halloween Storytime a Tradition

You do not need elaborate decorations or a perfectly themed bedroom to make Halloween reading special. Sometimes all it takes is pyjamas, a blanket and ten minutes together before bed.

Choose a Halloween book each night in October, keep a basket of spooky stories beside the sofa or let your child pick their favourite before bedtime.

And if they want the same pumpkin, witch or monster story every single night, embrace it. These little rituals often become the childhood memories we treasure most.

Whether your child loves witches and ghosts or prefers Paddington and friendly monsters, there is a Halloween book for every age and every level of bravery. The best ones are the stories that make children laugh, pull the duvet a little closer and ask, “Can we read it again tomorrow?”