October is a great time to start hunting for Halloween read alouds for your classroom. There are so many amazing picture books out there, how do you choose the best halloween story books to read to your class? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Your students are going to love these fun Halloween themed storybooks!
1.) Room On A Broom by Julia Donaldson
This story book is a big hit in elementary classrooms. It’s by the same author who wrote ‘The Gruffalo’. Here’s the book’s synopsis –
“The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch’s hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on the broom. It’s a case of the more, the merrier, but the broomstick isn’t used to such a heavy load and it’s not long before… SNAP! It breaks in two! And with a greedy dragon looking for a snack, the witch’s animal pals better think fast!”
2.) Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott
Perfect for Halloween, this is a hilarious story about a boy who follows in his father’s footsteps . . . in his own monstrously unique way.
3.) Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
This picture book is a fan favorite during October lessons. Here’s the book’s synopsis –
“He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein! When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic-or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day!”
4.) Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
This read aloud is perfect during the week of Halloween in your classroom.
“The Twilight Zone comes to the carrot patch as a rabbit fears his favorite treats are out to get him. Jasper Rabbit loves carrots especially Crackenhopper Field carrots. He eats them on the way to school.He eats them going to Little League.He eats them walking home.Until the day the carrots start following him…or are they?”
5.) Creepy Pair Of Underwear by Aaron Reynolds
From the celebrated team behind ‘Creepy Carrots’, comes a hilarious (and just a little creepy) story of a brave rabbit and a very weird pair of underwear. If your class love the storybook ‘Creepy Carrots’, they’ll love this too.
6.) The Little Old Lady Who Wasn’t Afraid Of Anything by Linda Williams
This mentor text is great for your little learners on October 31st. Here’s the book’s synopsis –
“Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard…clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.”
7.) The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
This picture book is by the New York Times bestselling author of Captain Underpants!
“Oscar is a little dog with a big problem — he gets more tricks than treats because other dogs tease him all the time. But one brave act on Halloween makes Oscar a Grade-A hero, proving that a little wiener can be a real winner!”
8.) We’re Going On A Goon Hunt by Michael Rex
Do you and your students love the storybook, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’? This hilarious companion to the New York Times #1 bestseller, Goodnight Goon, is a spooky parody of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’. A petrifying parody that your kids will love!
We’re going on a goon hunt.
We’re going to catch a green one.
What a spooky night! We’re not scared.
9.) Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book.
“The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can’t get it off the vine. It’s so big the ghost can’t move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there’ll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day. How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You’ll be surprised!”
10.) Shake Dem Halloween Bones by W. Nikola-Lisa
This read aloud is ideal for your kiddos in October. Here’s the book’s synopsis –
“It’s Halloween night. The city is quiet. The city is still. But as the lights go down, the music comes up – and the guests start to arrive at the hip-hop Halloween ball! And oh, what a party it is. Told in hip-hop rhyming text, L’il Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Tom Thumb, and all of their fairy-tale friends come together for a rapping, stomping, shaking Halloween romp. Scoo-bee-doo-bee-doo-wah. Yeah!”
11.) The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
Not only is this a great Halloween story book, it also has a great moral too. This could be used as a mentor text to teach about being different, bullying, and kindness.
“One day in the pumpkin patch the strangest little pumpkin hatched…. Spookley the Pumpkin was different. All the other pumpkins teased him, until Spookley proved that being different can save the day!”
12.) The Little Green Witch by Barbara Barbieri McGrath
The little green witch has a problem: her lazy monster friends just won’t help her make a horrible pumpkin pie. McGrath’s feisty retelling of “The Little Red Hen” makes for Halloween fun.
Those are my top 12 read alouds! I think they are the best halloween story books! However, there are so many more amazing Halloween themed picture books out there.
Here’s a look at the other books I recommend. After reading this blog post, you’ll have thirty Halloween picture books to choose from!
More of the best halloween story books –
13.) I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
14.) A Job for Wittilda by Caralyn Buehner
15.) Rattlebone Rock by Sylvia L. Andrews
16.) Peanut Butter And Brains by Joe McGee
17.) Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler
18.) The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan Berenstain and Jan Berenstain
19.) There Was An Old Mummy Who Swallowed A Spider by Jennifer Ward
20.) There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat by Lucille Colandro
21.) Turkey Trick Or Treat by Wendi Silvano
22.) Dark, Dark Tale by Ruth Brown
23.) Goodnight Goon by Michael Rex
24.) Boo! by Robert Munsch
25.) Vunce Upon A Time by J. Otto Seibold
26.) Click, Clack BOO: A Tricky Treat by Doreen Cronin
27.) Scaredy Cat Splat by Rob Scotton
28.) Humbug Witch by Lorna Balian
29.) Clifford’s Halloween by Norman Bridwell
30.) Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli
I hope you enjoyed reading this list of the best halloween story books!
If you’re looking for Halloween themed teaching resources, check these out –
Halloween Math Worksheets for First Grade
These fun Math worksheets are perfect for 1st grade Halloween and October Math lessons or Math centers. This no prep packet is a selection of 28 Math worksheets designed for first grade (common core aligned to each standard).
Click here to check these out!
Halloween Sentence Building Worksheets
Who doesn’t love fun and seasonal worksheets?
This resource is a selection of 10 sentence building (sentence scramble) worksheets designed for Kindergarten and 1st Grade. It features fun Halloween themed sentences and pictures. Students simply cut, sort, and paste the words into a sentence, write the sentence, and color the picture.
Check out these no prep printables here.
Halloween Writing Crafts
These cute craftivities are a must-have this Halloween! These writing prompts and crafts are perfect for October bulletin boards. There are three activities that would suit art lessons and literacy lessons/centers.
Check out these cute crafts here.
Halloween How To Writing Craft
Are you looking for a no prep and engaging way to teach ‘how to’ procedure writing? These Halloween craftivities are a must-have for your procedure writing lessons or Fall / October bulletin boards. Your students will LOVE these writing prompts, so check out these procedural crafts for your literacy, writing, or art lessons!
Click here to check them out!
Halloween Roll A Story Writing Prompt
This product includes a roll a story writing prompt (designed for reluctant writers). This activity is perfect for Literacy lessons, centers and writer’s workshop. It is also a great no prep lesson for substitute teachers!
Click here to grab this fun activity.
Halloween Color By Addition
This resource includes Halloween themed color by addition worksheets to 5, 10, 20, and 100. Your students will love these seasonal color by codes during Math lessons or Math centers!
Grab this fun lesson activity here.
Have a great Halloween!
Psst! Click here to access my free resource library! If you become a V.I.P, you’ll get access to a bunch of free activities.
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