Spooktacular Preschool Halloween Books

Spiders, bats, jack-o-lanterns, and more are all characters in this list of preschool Halloween books. This list is just one of the many preschool book lists you’ll find right here on Growing Book by Book.

I love holiday books. In fact, I created an entire series of 365 read-alouds for all the wacky and traditional holidays.

Halloween Books for Preschoolers

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Let’s read aloud this new and classic Halloween stories with the kiddos.

When I think of Halloween, I think of vampires. Now, imagine a vampire going to the zoo. And, keep that imagination going as you head to the penguin exhibit. Now, get ready for a switcheroo.

Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins is a super-fun read-aloud. I love picture books where the pictures play an equal role to the words and that is done successfully here.

Halloween Sky Ride by Elizabeth Spurr doesn’t actually contain counting words in the text, but it’s a great book to use to practice counting. A witch flies on a broom picking up a different creature on each page spread. So, the children can count how many things are on the broom each time. They will practice counting to seven. You can also practice ordinal numbers from first to seventh.

For more Halloween counting books, I have a whole list of books for you.—> Halloween Counting Books

If You’re Spooky and You Know It by Aly Fronis is set to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Not only will the kids be singing this one, it’s a good one for getting the kids up and moving.

Keep the singing going with these sing-alongs.—> Halloween Books to Sing, Chant, and Dance Along With

Get ready to make the slime recipes in the back of this book because you will be inspired. Grab a copy of Frankenslime by Joy Keller celebrates all slime creations. But, then Franken creates a slime that comes alive. Run!

Vlad the Fabulous Vampire by Flavia Z. Drago is a 2023 release from the creator of Gustavo the Shy Ghost. Only a person whose name is Flavia could come up with all these cool character names- Vlad…Gustavo… Vlad’s passion is fashion. But, Vlad has bright pink cheeks and questions if he’ll fit in with all the black vampire fashion. With the help of a friend, he learns to embrace his uniqueness and let his true self shine.

Another 2023 release is The Scariest Kitten in the World by Kate Messner. This is a fun whole group read-aloud that will have the kids getting very animated and laughing so BEWARE! The critters in this book are downright frightening or are they?

Emergency Monster Squad by Dave Horowitz opens with an introduction of EMS (Emergency Medical Services) and the services they provide when someone calls 911.⁣ Ride with Sally and Gus in the ambulance as they answer different calls in the community from a skeleton missing the bones in his feet to a mama kraken hatching her eggs.⁣
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Not only will children be enthralled with the storyline and playful illustrations, but they will learn all about EMS vocabulary through the labels in the illustrations. There is even a glossary of over 25 words from bandage to tibia.⁣

Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberly is a book that builds a monster page by page and then we watch it disappear page by page through die-cut pages. It’s fun to read for Halloween or for a unit on shapes.

And, I even have book activities to accompany this book.—> Go Away Big Green Monster Book Activities

And, enjoy more monster-themed books.—> Monster Books for Kids

Here is another classic. Read Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. While out on a broom ride, the wind blows away part of the witch’s belongings. Some animals find her missing articles and request a ride on the broom in return.

And, try this sequencing activity to go with the book.—> Room on the Broom Book Activity

Stumpkin is a beautiful pumpkin waiting to be selected from the shelves of pumpkins and carried home to become a jack-o-lantern. But, he keeps getting passed over become his stem is missing. As Halloween approaches, will he get his chance to shine? Enjoy one of my favorites, Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins.

And, grab the Book Dive I created for the book.—> Stumpkin Book Dive

One Spooky Night: A Halloween Adventure by Kate Stone is a beautifully illustrated book that includes vellum pages as well as lots of die-cuts. A monster is walking through the forest on his way to a party and encounters all sorts of creatures.

Pumpkin Trouble by Jan Thomas is a hilarious read-aloud. Duck is trying to carve a jack-o-lantern and gets stuck inside the pumpkin. From there the comedy ensues.

For more books about pumpkins, I’ve got a whole list.—Pumpkin Books for Kids

We’re Off to Find the Witch’s House by Mr. Krieb will remind you a bit of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. This call-and-response book will be a fun pick for circle time read-aloud.

Get ready to count some ghosts as you sing along to this story. This one is fun for story time and to use with props. Check out Five Little Ghosts by Lily Murray.

Every preschooler needs a toolbox of jokes for the season. Grab Ha Ha Halloween by Jill Howarth to fill up on the funnies this year.

Creepy Sheepy by Lucy Ruth Cummins is perfect for every little one that begs for that costume everyone else wants. Turns out that our little sheep in the story learns it is far better being one of a kind.