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The Halloween season is a time when our imaginations have full run of the place, and we can revel in spooky stories and chilling tales all night long.
But are there picture books for Halloween? If you ask me, it can be tricky to find a list of good Halloween-themed books. As a parent, if I search “best Halloween picture books” what I’m hoping to find are books that focus on the spooky aspects of the holiday.
In this list I considered book that are closely set during the Halloween season and celebrate Halloween.
Ready for the October 31st? Here are some of the best Halloween picture books.
The Hallo-Wiener
OK I am probably not too objective on this as my kids and I are huge fans of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants books by Dav Pilkey. If you are too then this should be an easy sell to your kids as well. All the animal characters will be instantly recognizable to you 🙂 as a fan.
In The Hallo-Wiener, Oscar our small dog hero is being teased by other dogs because of the way he looks. This unfortunate situation doesn’t help that his mother wanted to dress him up as a hot dog for Halloween.
As it turns out, on the Halloween night while the pups are out trick-or-treating, only Oscar is able to save the day when a monster attacks.
As always Pilkey’s illustrations are awesome, but have a look at those dogs in Halloween costumes…
- It’s Dav Pilkey. I can’t find anything (I am sorry – big fan here). My kids found out his books at 6 years old and they love them still.
- If you are a fan of the Dog Man and Captain Underpants you will love this book.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
I don’t think you can find a more representative book of trick-or-treat other than this. This is a classic Halloween picture book from our childhood.
The book versions of the much-loved adaptation from the TV special (find it in Amazon Prime Video) are many but this version of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is perfect because of the cloth cover and its classic feel, in addition to paying homage to the art of animated specials. It has brilliant colors in illustrations and will warm your heart and fill it with memories.
It’s Halloween and the Peanuts gang are dressing up and trick-or-treating, while Linus is waiting for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch and bring toys to all the children of the world.
Leading up to Halloween, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is part of the Halloween season for all of us and in heavy rotation at bedtime as time goes by.
- It is difficult to track it and probably get a used one.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is part of the Halloween season for all of us
Garfield’s Halloween Adventure
My kids lately started watching Garfield on TV. Personally I am somewhere in the middle. Not a huge fan but from time to time I may check one or two of Garfield’s stories.
This book is a comic strip adaptation of the Garfield Halloween TV special. This story starts out funny, but then turns into a real-life, very scary ghost story!
You may find it a bit difficult to find a new copy, but it is a good old classic cartoon strip. Jim Davis’s illustrations are perfectly old-school and spooky themed. Nothing more inline with the Halloween spirit than Garfield’s Halloween adventure.
- It is difficult to track it and probably get a used one.
- Even the process of tracking and getting this cartoon book will bring memories from your childhood.
Emi Isn’t Scared of Monsters
Alina Tysoe is the creator of What’s Up Beanie humorous web comic and couldn’t expect anything less than a hilarious graphic novel for children about creatures at night. It is not a Halloween specific book per-se but it it’s cute, funny and scary and instant readable before going to bedtime. It is a truly beautiful book like a graphic novel. Emi and her dog Cookie are so cute characters and together they stay at night to catch monsters. Emi is not scared at all but along with her dog are waiting just under the bed covers. But then Cookie runs off after a ball and Emi must bravely venture into the dark. The book is about the scary monsters that lurk in the minds and homes of little ones everywhere, in the shadows.
- It is not a Halloween specific book but you will love it.
- The illustrations, the characters, everything and all.
Costume Quest: Invasion of the Candy Snatchers
Costume Quest is a video game, developed by Double Fine Productions, and published by THQ. With the release of the sequel to Costume Quest in 2014, we are reminded of this awesome game. Invasion of the Candy Snatchers is a short graphic novel – based in the world of the video game – follows Klem and his friends as they embark on a journey to find sweets during the Halloween season. It is also a TV show in Amazon Prime as well. If you enjoyed the video game, or you are a fan of the Costume Quest TV show, reading this book is a no-brainer. In the book, friendly, monsters called Grubbins travel to the human world on Halloween on an adventure for candy. You will love the characters and their reactions on experiencing trick-or-treating for the first time. Unfortunately, there’re also bullies everywhere, ready to steal all of Klem’s sweet, sweet loot.
- It is a bit short in length
- If you are a fan of the Costume Quest video game or TV show you will love this book.
If you like this read check more of my articles at the Books Review or check out Kids Books recommendations and book accessories.