10+ Best Halloween Books for 3-5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

As Halloween approaches, you might be on the lookout for the perfect spooky story to share with your little ones. Finding the right balance of fun and fright can be tricky, but don't worry—we've got you covered with our curated list of Halloween books for 3-5-year-olds. Whether you're cuddling up for storytime or looking for a festive classroom read, these books are sure to enchant your preschoolers without giving them the shivers. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are just right for tiny trick-or-treaters!

Fun Halloween Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful tale that emphasizes the value of friendship and teamwork through rhythmic text and engaging illustrations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about witches and magical adventures.

• Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
  • Genre(s): Humor, Parody
  • Synopsis: This book is a spooky twist on the classic Goodnight Moon, where a young monster says goodnight to everything in his tomb.
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces young readers to Halloween themes in a fun and gentle way, using familiar bedtime routines.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy bedtime stories and those with a budding sense of humor.

• The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills, illustrated by Ben Mantle
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Song Parody
  • Synopsis: This is a Halloween-themed version of the popular children's song, featuring a bus filled with spooky characters like ghosts and goblins.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a sing-along experience that’s both entertaining and engaging, helping young readers develop their verbal skills.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love singing and enjoy playful, rhythmic reads.

• Little Blue Truck's Halloween by Alice Schertle, illustrated by Jill McElmurry
  • Genre(s): Holiday, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party. Readers can lift the flaps to find out who's dressed up in each costume.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s interactive with flaps to lift, which makes reading a hands-on activity that will keep young readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Preschoolers who enjoy interactive stories and vehicle themes.

• Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell
  • Genre(s): Counting, Halloween
  • Synopsis: This is a countdown book about ten ghosts living in a haunted house who are scared away one by one by a witch, only to return bravely.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches counting skills in a fun and spooky context, perfect for Halloween.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who are learning to count and those who like gentle ghost stories.

Educational Halloween Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
  • Genre(s): Halloween, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A brave old lady walks through a forest encountering clothes and pumpkin heads that try to scare her, but she courageously faces each challenge.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage and resilience, problem-solving, sequence of events
  • Why we recommend this book: It's great for teaching kids about bravery and overcoming fears with a fun, repetitive narrative that builds anticipation.
  • Perfect for: Young children who enjoy spooky stories without getting too scared.

• Duck & Goose, Honk! Quack! Boo! by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Halloween, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Duck and Goose prepare for Halloween with a series of fun and gentle scares, showing the spirit of the holiday.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Friendship dynamics, emotional development, Halloween traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a sweet tale of friendship with delightful characters that captures the essence of Halloween fun.
  • Perfect for: Toddlers and preschoolers who are just starting to learn about Halloween and enjoy stories about friendship.

• Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin
  • Genre(s): Halloween, Humor
  • Synopsis: Farmer Brown does not like Halloween, but the animals on his farm are excited and have spooky plans of their own.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Humor appreciation, understanding emotions, holiday excitement
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with a touch of spookiness, making it an enjoyable read that also teaches about different perspectives.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy farm stories and those who appreciate a mix of laughter and light-hearted fright.

• At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by Nate Wragg
  • Genre(s): Halloween, Rhyming
  • Synopsis: In a spooky old house, various creatures prepare for a Halloween bash, counting up from one to ten.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, rhyming skills, Halloween vocabulary
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful counting book that introduces young readers to rhyming and counting in a fun, Halloween-themed setting.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love counting and playful, rhyming text with a spooky twist.

• Brooms Are for Flying! by Michael Rex
  • Genre(s): Halloween, Action
  • Synopsis: Follow along in this interactive book where young readers can pretend to fly on brooms and experience other spooky Halloween activities.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, physical activity, interactive reading
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages physical activity and imagination through its interactive, engaging narrative.
  • Perfect for: Energetic youngsters who enjoy acting out scenes from their books and celebrating Halloween in a lively way.

Challenging Halloween Books for 3-5-Year-Olds

• Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Thriller, Suspense
  • Synopsis: Jasper Rabbit loves carrots until he starts believing that they are following him. Is his love for snacks leading to a creepy consequence?
  • Why this book is challenging: The book introduces elements of suspense and thriller genres to young readers, which are typically more complex and nuanced.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a captivating and slightly spooky story that introduces young readers to a more complex narrative structure and the concept of suspense.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good thrill and exploring emotions like suspense and relief.

• The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: Laszlo is afraid of the dark which lives in the same big, creaky house as him. But one night, the dark visits Laszlo in his room.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with the abstract concept of fear and darkness, encouraging deeper thinking and emotional exploration.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is great for helping children confront and discuss their fears in a safe and imaginative way.
  • Perfect for: Children who might be afraid of the dark and need a gentle introduction to facing and overcoming their fears.

• Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Ghost Story
  • Synopsis: A young witch moves into a haunted house only to find that it's filled with ghosts. However, she knows exactly what to do with them.
  • Why this book is challenging: It turns the typical ghost story on its head by presenting the ghosts in a non-threatening manner, challenging young readers’ perceptions.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a delightful twist on a ghost story that teaches problem-solving and creativity in unexpected situations.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy light-hearted, whimsical tales with a touch of the supernatural.

• Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Dance
  • Synopsis: A young vampire girl dreams of becoming a ballerina and learns how to navigate her unique challenges to fit in and pursue her passion.
  • Why this book is challenging: The book blends a fantastical character with real-world aspirations, presenting themes of acceptance and perseverance.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's an inspiring story that encourages young ones to follow their dreams despite the obstacles, using a charming and relatable vampire character.
  • Perfect for: Aspiring dancers and any child who feels a bit different but is determined to shine.

• Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by Will Terry
  • Genre(s): Humor, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Bonaparte the skeleton is having trouble staying together, literally. His friends try to help him keep it together in time for the first day of school.
  • Why this book is challenging: It uses humor and a bit of morbid fun to explore themes of friendship and acceptance, which can provoke thought and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book is perfect for teaching children about the value of friends who help us through tough times, wrapped up in a humorous, not-too-spooky story.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a good laugh and learning about the value of true friendship.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're looking to make Halloween book reading spooktacular for your little ones, here are some fun exercises that can help 3-5-year-olds develop great reading habits while enjoying some Halloween-themed books. These activities are simple, engaging, and perfect for little readers.

• Read Aloud Together
  • What it is: You read the Halloween book aloud to your child.
  • How it helps: Enhances vocabulary and helps children understand the flow of language.
  • Tips: Change your voice for different characters to make the story more exciting.

• Character Dress-Up
  • What it is: Dress up as characters from the Halloween book.
  • How it helps: Encourages imagination and deeper connection with the story.
  • Tips: Let your child choose their favorite character and help them create a simple costume.

• Story Sequencing
  • What it is: Create cards with scenes from the book and ask your child to put them in order.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding story structure and memory.
  • Tips: Use large pictures and guide your child through the sequence the first few times.

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Flip through the book looking at pictures before reading, making up stories about what they see.
  • How it helps: Stimulates pre-reading skills and creativity.
  • Tips: Ask open-ended questions about the pictures to encourage your child to think and imagine.

• Find the Rhyme
  • What it is: Identify rhyming words in the Halloween story.
  • How it helps: Develops phonemic awareness and listening skills.
  • Tips: Highlight rhyming words in different colors to make them stand out.

• Make a Story Map
  • What it is: Draw a map that includes key locations from the book.
  • How it helps: Aids in comprehension and recall of the story’s events and settings.
  • Tips: Use simple symbols or drawings to represent different parts of the story.

These exercises aren't just educational; they're a fun way to dive into the festive spirit of Halloween while building a lifelong love for reading. So grab some Halloween-themed books, and let's make reading a thrilling adventure for your little ghouls and boys! Happy reading and Happy Halloween!