Whether your child is a preschooler, an independent reader, or somewhere in between, I have a children's Halloween book to recommend. Several of the Halloween books for children feature popular characters (Nate the Great, the Berenstain Bears) and are part of a popular series. My favorite of all of the children's Halloween books listed is Too Many Pumpkins because both the artwork and the imaginative story are full of interesting details.
1. Too Many Pumpkins
Holiday House
Because she had to eat too many pumpkins when she was a child and money was scarce, Rebecca Estelle grew up hating them. As an adult, she never ate or planted them. One fall, a big surprise, too many pumpkins in her own garden, made her change her mind. Written by Linda White, this picture book features colorful, detailed illustrations by Megan Lloyd. (Holiday House, 1996. ISBN: 0823413209)
2. A Tiger Called Thomas
This charming story by Charlotte Zolotow is about Thomas, a little boy who moves into a "new house on a new street" and never ventures from his front steps because he thinks his neighbors don't like him. Day after day, he watches children playing and neighbors walking by. When Halloween comes, he is surprised to find that his neighbors, children and adults alike, recognize him, despite the tiger mask he hides behind, and want to be friends. He goes home a happy boy. (Hyperion, 2003)3. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
This just-scary-enough story is both a good read-aloud and a goood read alone. A little old lady goes walking in the forest until dark and then heads for home. On the way, she keeps hearing ominous sounds. She finds herself followed by noisy clomping boots, then by wiggly pants, and more. Kids will enjoy repeating the sounds and will delight in the little old lady's creative solution to the problem of what to do with these noisy objects. (HarperCollins, 1998. ISBN: 0064431835)4. The Berenstain Bears Trick or Trick
This book is part of Stan and Jan Berenstain's First Time Books series. For the first time, Brother and Sister Bear are going trick or treating without an adult along. While the authors emphasize the rules for Halloween safety, they also tell an entertaining story about not judging by appearances. (Random House,1989 ISBN: 0679800913)5. Boo Who? and Other Wicked Halloween Knock-Knock Jokes
This clever book works on several levels. It's a book of funny Halloween knock-knock jokes; it's a fun interactive lift-the-flap book, and it's the amusing story of a boy's and girl's adventure in a haunted house.(HarperCollins, 2000. ISBN: 0694013595)6. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat
This picture book is a lively Halloween version of the traditional rhyme "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly." In this case, the old lady swallows all kinds of things associated with Halloween, including a bat, owl, cat, ghost, goblin, bones, and, finally, "a wizard to cast a spell." (Cartwheel Books, An Imprint of Scholastic, Inc., 2002. ISBN: 0439737664)7. Moonlight: The Halloween Cat
If you are looking for a warm and gentle book about Halloween for a very young child, Moonlight: The Halloween Cat is it. Halloween is Moonlight's favorite night, and author Cynthia Rylant describes how he enjoys walking around the neighborhood, watching the children in costume and seeing the jack-o-lanterns glow. Illustrator Melissa Sweet's full page artwork provides a window on a magical Halloween night. (HarperCollins, 2003. ISBN: 0060297123)8. The Monster Trap
This delightful picture book features the wonderful oil paintings of Dean Morrissey. Although not a Halloween story, it features some of the most delightfully odd looking monsters you will ever see, perfect for the Halloween season. A little boy, Paddy, spends the night at his grandpa's place, which includes a shop filled with antiques and equipment. When Paddy worries about monsters, his grandpa builds some monster traps for him, with surprising results. (HarperCollins, 2004. ISBN: 0060524987)9. Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden
The rhythmic text and the colorful photography make Pumpkin Circle a very appealing science book for a wide range of ages. The author, George Levenson, covers the life cycle of pumpkins, from seeds to pumpkins to jack o' lanterns back to seeds. At the end of the book, there is a page of additional information about pumpkins, including planting tips. The engaging photographs by Shmuel Thaler, which cover a year in the garden, complement the text. (Tricycle Press, 1999. ISBN: 1582460787)10. Nate the Great and the Halloween Hunt
This entertaining detective story by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, with illustrations by Marc Simont, is written at the 2.1 reading level and will appeal to beginning readers. On Halloween night, Nate's friend Rosamond comes to his house to ask him to help find her missing cat, Little Hex. Nate the Great and his dog, Sludge, are on the case! (Yearling Books, reissue 1990. ISBN: 0440403413)