There’s a chill in the air, darkness seems to creep in earlier every day, and pumpkin spice has taken over every food, beverage, and scented candle around. That’s right, Autumn has fully arrived! I, for one, can’t think of a better time to indulge in some hair-raising (or at least ruffling) stories to welcome the spooky season. After a quick trip to the library for one (or more) of these picture books, nonfiction, and chapter book selections, your child will be all ready to curl up in a cozy armchair with a great spooky read, as outside the leaves fall and the jack o'lanterns glow. (Pumpkin Spice Latte not included)
Picture Books:
This classic picture book has been around for almost thirty years, but its charm never gets old. Master illustrator Emberley still delights with this tale of a monster who comes and goes according to the whims of the reader as the turn of every page constructs or destructs the naughty creature. If you enjoy this tale, you might also want to check out Glad Monster, Sad Monster: a Book About Feelings, If You’re a Monster and You Know It, or Ed Emberley’s Halloween Drawing Book.
Gustavo the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago (Kindergarten to 2nd grade)
PICTURE DRAGO
Gustavo is a good little ghost, talented at many things- but because of his shy, nervous nature, he’s not very gifted when it comes to making friends. A love of the violin and excitement for the Day of the Dead might be enough to finally convince Gutavo to be brave and give some potential new friends the chance to see him for who he is. Through the illustrations and text, the author infuses the book with elements of her native Mexican culture, making this an irresistible addition to seasonal classics.
Only a Witch Can Fly by Alison McGhee (Kindergarten to 2nd grade)
PICTURE MCGHEE (Halloween)
After trick or treating, a young girl dressed as a witch isn’t focused on checking out the candy she collected, but instead decides to try to fly for real. A fair amount of perseverance, some encouragement from her little brother, and a bit of natural talent serve her well, as her efforts result in success. Lovely, old fashioned illustrations fit well with the subtle reminder to be true to yourself and never be afraid to work towards your dreams; a worthy idea no matter the season.
Nonfiction:
by Mary Ann Hoberman (Kindergarten to 3rd grade)
J811 HOB (Halloween)
The You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You poetry series is a delightful collection of books that presents short, rhymed stories in two parts. Each tale is meant to be read by two readers (each with their own part), and also includes a passage that is expected to be read together. It is a wonderful choice for children and their adults. This series entry is delightfully spooky fun, as it includes passages with witches, zombies, ghosts, and more!
What Makes a Monster? Discovering the World's Scariest Creatures by Jess Keating (2nd grade & up)
Horror frog, assassin bug, goblin shark...there are so many spooky critters dwelling in the animal kingdom, and this is the perfect time to learn a little bit about them! If you have a scientifically minded kiddo at home who doesn’t mind some weird, gross, and creepy facts mixed in with a lot of really fascinating information, I can’t think of a better way to indulge their curiosity in real life “monsters”!
Skulls by Blair Thornburgh (Kindergarten to 2nd grade)
PICTURE THORNBURGH
This nonfiction picture book is a great match for the spooky season. Skulls might seem a bit scary, but they are actually an amazing and important part of our bodies! Readers, along with the adorable main character, will learn all about this strange but vital part of our skeleton. Entertaining and informative- a great combination!
Chapter Books:
Eerie Elementary (series) by Jack Chabert (1st to 3rd grade)
FICTION CHABERT
You might be ready for scary decorations, spooky stories, and a chill in the weather, but how would you feel if your school were haunted? In this delightful, slightly creepy series, Sam Graves finds out that his school is alive- and has developed a taste for students! As the official Eerie Elementary Hall Monitor, it’s up to Sam and his friends to save the day! This series begins with The School is Alive, but there are eight other suspenseful adventures to enjoy as well!
Owl Diaries (series) by Rebecca Elliott (1st to 3rd grade)
FICTION ELLIOTT
The Owl Diaries series is a delightful collection of stories featuring an charming owl named Eva who lives in Treetopolis and enjoys crafting, wearing cool clothes, writing in her diary, and having everyday adventures! These sweet stories include a couple of titles that are perfect for the season, such as Eva Sees a Ghost and Trip to the Pumpkin Farm.
A to Z Mysteries (series) by Ron Roy (2nd grade & up)
The A to Z mystery series is very popular amongst the early/emerging chapter book reader crowd, and it’s easy to see why. Ruth Rose, Dink, and Josh are fun characters who love a good mystery and thankfully seem to stumble upon them on a regular basis. While all of the books in the series are great reads, The Zombie Zone, The School Skeleton, and The Vampire’s Vacation are especially fitting for our current season.
