25 Spooky Books for Preschoolers (that aren't tooo scary!) and Best Halloween Books for Kindergarten

A little spook and scary can be really fun in the fall. And the little ones don't want to be left out, (but they also don't really want to be scared. 🙂 So, here is a great list of 25 spooky books for preschoolers that you can check out to have some fun with your little one, plus best books for kindergarten.

I'll add, too, that these books are not just for preschoolers (but age-appropriate). Really, you can read these books to any age kid from 0 to 100. One of the best things about these spooky stories are the absolutely fun and colorful illustrations. Worth the read for that alone. Enjoy!

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Here are your 25 spooky books for preschoolers (in no particular order - except for the last one, which happens to be MY FAVORITE)! Also, be sure to stick around after the book list to get some bonus spooky-time fun.

Click on the book cover to find and purchase the book.

25 Spooky Books for Preschoolers

1. Clifford's Halloween by Norman Bridwell

It's Clifford's favorite day of the year-Halloween! Out of all the holidays, Emily Elizabeth and Clifford like Halloween the most. They play games, trick-or-treat in the neighborhood, and tell ghost stories. Best of all, they can wear costumes! Clown, witch, knight, or ghost -- what will Clifford decide to dress up as this year? Also featuring a full page of stickers!

2. Superbat by Matt Carr

Pat is an ordinary bat who wants nothing more than to be special. But when he proclaims himself a superbat, the other bats laugh and say that anything he can do, like fly and navigate through the dark, they can do too.

Disheartened that his friends have the same superpowers as him, Pat is ready to rip off his cape and throw it away when suddenly his supersonic hearing picks up a terrified cry. A cat has trapped a poor mouse!

**3. The Littlest Mummy by Brandi Dougherty**

Mae may be the littlest mummy in the Spooky Woods, but she has a big desire to dance with her family at the big Halloween bash! But Mae just can't seem to moan, groan, and look scary, no matter how hard she shuffles and shouts. Will Mae be able to participate in the party, or is the littlest mummy just too little?

4. The Scariest Book in the Whole Entire World by Joey Acker

BOO!!! You found The Scariest Book in the Whole Entire World!
After Nameless finishes explaining why 'The Worst Book in the Whole Entire World' is the WORST, he now finds himself in the SCARIEST book!

Nameless attempts to inform the reader of the perils that await them, but he unfortunately forgets some along the way! Will he be brave enough to make it to the end? Will YOU be brave enough to make it to the end?? Is there really a unicorn in this book??? Wait...what?!?!?

Quick discount alert! Check out this FALL themed digital alphabet bundle below!!

Fall Digital Letters and Phonics Activities BUNDLE

5. Froggy's Halloween by Jonathan London

Froggy tries to find just the right costume for Halloween and although his trick-or-treating does not go as he had planned, he manages to enjoy himself anyway.

Children have enjoyed the misadventures of trouble-prone Froggy in more than twenty books. Froggy just never learns—and that's why we love him!

6. The Spooky Smells of Halloween by Mary Man-Kong

Little Sammy and his friends are having one spooky Halloween! They bob for apples, eat scary shaped Halloween cookies, and go trick-or-treating for other spooky treats. Children will love to read—and smell—all The Spooky Smells of Halloween.

(This is a scratch and sniff book. Yay!)

7. Nighty Night, Little Green Monster by Ed Emberly

Children will love this monsterously fun story, featuring die-cuts on every spread. With each turn of the page, readers reveal Little Green Monster's little yellow eyes, his little red mouth, and even a cute, tiny white monster tooth.

Then, when the stars begin to appear, it's time for bed... so, nighty night, little yellow eyes. Nighty night, little red mouth. Nighty night, cute little white tooth. Sweet dreams!

Are you teaching a young beginning reader this fall?

Increase your child's fluency with poetry!

Here are 9 Autumn & Fall Poems for Kids That Encourage Fluency & Comprehension to check out..

8. AlphaOops! H Is for Halloween by Alethea Kontis

Ack! It’s time for the show, and A isn’t ready. But then again, Halloween can only start with one letter, no matter how the A-B-Cs normally go! The misbehaving alphabet is back, and there’s no telling who will take the stage next.

Z for zombie? P for pirate? Will X think of something good in time? Neon-bright, comically detailed illustrations show a cacophony of costumed letters, each with a mind and personality all its own. Along the bottom, tiny pumpkins arrange the players in proper order, making this alphabet story letter-perfect for Halloween.

9. Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Paz

Oh, to be a ballerina! It's a challenge for any little girl, but even more so if you happen to be a vampire like Vampirina.

First of all, you have to find a class that meets at night. Then you have to figure out how to perfect your form when you can't see yourself in the mirror?

And then there's wearing pink (not the most flattering of colors if you happen to be undead) and that nagging urge to take a little nip out of the other dancers. And worse of all? STAGE FRIGHT!!!

10. Monsters Don't Eat Broccoli by Barbara Jean Hicks

The waitress in this restaurant just doesn’t have a clue. Monsters don’t eat broccoli! How could she think we do?

In this rollicking picture book, monsters insist they don’t like broccoli. They’d rather snack on tractors or a rocket ship or two, or tender trailer tidbits, or a wheely, steely stew. But boy do those trees they’re munching on look an awful lot like broccoli. Maybe vegetables aren’t so bad after all!

This hilarious book will have youngsters laughing out loud and craving healthy monster snacks of their own.

11. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White

Rebecca Estelle has hated pumpkins ever since she was a girl when pumpkins were often the only food her family had.

When an enormous pumpkin falls off a truck and smashes in her yard, she shovels dirt over the pieces and forgets about them. But those slimy pumpkin smithereens sprout up in autumn, and Rebecca Estelle finds a sea of pumpkins in her garden.

12. Frankie Stein Starts School by Lola M. Schaefer

Frankie Stein looks nothing like his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stein, or the spooky-looking kids at Miss Wart’s Academy for Ghouls & Goblins. His clean-cut looks make it hard for him to make friends.

But Frankie knows a thing or two about being scary. He can make grotesque faces, paint bone-chilling pictures, and yelp as loud as a coyote. When he experiments with potions in the classroom and grows two fangs, he wins over the other kids, showing that popularity depends on more than how you look.

Once again, Frankie Stein proves that he’s happiest when he’s true to himself. Kevan Atteberry’s digital illustrations lend a hand to this back-to-school spook-tacular story!

13. We're Going on a Ghost Hunt by Susan Pearson

Susan Pearson has written her own unique version of the popular song, “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” introducing four children who go out at night in search of a ghost.

After squish-squash-squooshing through a swamp, rustle-rustle-rat-a-tattling through a cornfield, and overcoming all kinds of obstacles on their journey, they come face to face with a ghost in a graveyard.

Then—RUN! RUN! RUN!—they race back to the safety of their warm, cozy house. S.D. Schindler’s spirited illustrations bring warmth and humor to this lively rhyming read-aloud.

14. Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberly

Caldecott Award-winner Ed Emberley has created an ingenious way for children to overcome bedtime frights. As kids turn the die-cut pages of this vibrantly illustrated book, they'll watch the Big Green Monster grow before their very eyes. Then, when they're ready to show him who's in charge, they'll turn the remaining pages and watch him disappear!

Ed Emberley's groundbreaking book about mastering fear and emotion through play and imagination has been a bestselling favorite for decades and feels as fresh and innovative today as it did 25 years ago.

15. Pete the Cat Trick or Pete by James Dean

Pete loves Halloween and candy but not so much scary surprises. Follow Pete as he goes trick-or-treating from house to house and discover what is waiting behind each door.

With over ten flaps that open to reveal fun spooky surprises, this book is spooktacular!

16. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand!

Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?

17. The Berenstein Bears Trick or Treat by Stan & Jan Berenstain

This classic Berenstain Bears story is a perfect way to celebrate Halloween, all the while teaching children about the difference between right and wrong!

Come for a visit in Bear Country with this classic First Time Book® from Stan and Jan Berenstain. It’s Halloween and Brother and Sister can’t wait to go trick-or-treating with all of their friends, but when someone in the group encourages the kids to play a trick, things don’t go as planned. Includes over 50 bonus stickers!

18. Boo Who? by Ben Clanton

A shy little ghost who’s new to the group has trouble fitting in — until his special talent comes to the fore.

Boo is new. And even if the other kids are welcoming, it can be scary being new, especially for a shy ghost who can’t play any of their games. (“You tagged me? Oh, sorry. I couldn’t feel it.”) Can Boo find a way to fit in and make friends with the rest of the group? From the creator of Rex Wrecks It! comes a funny story about feeling invisible — and finding a way to be seen and appreciated for who you are.

19. Moonlight the Halloween Cat by Cynthia Rylant

"Told in rhythmic prose that almost purrs when read aloud‚ this black cat′s story enchants with a perfect blend of art and text."

School Library Journal

"A soothing‚ ghoul−free‚ utterly non creepy Halloween book."

20. The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Bilkey

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!

21. Where's My Mummy by Carolyn Crimi

Little Baby Mummy wants just one more game of hide-and-shriek with Big Mama Mummy before bedtime.

The night is deep and dark, full of friendly creatures that click their clacky teeth and whoosh past on flippy-floppy wings. But who will comfort Little Baby Mummy if a small, scritchy-scratchy someone gives him a scare?

Big Mama Mummy, of course! Fresh, comical illustrations complement this everso- slightly suspenseful story with a satisfying ending.

22. Click Clack Boo by Doreen Cronin

Farmer Brown does not like Halloween. So he draws the shades, puts on his footy pajamas, and climbs into bed.

But do you think the barnyard animals have any respect for a man in footy pajamas? No, they do not. For them, the Halloween party has just begun. And we all know these critters far prefer tricks over treats.

There are big surprises in store for Farmer Brown!

23. The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone

By all accounts, this book is a favorite among toddlers and adults alike.

Generations will recall their first time reading along as lovable, furry old Grover begs the reader not to turn the page . . . for a monster is at the end of the book!

But, of course, the monster is none other than Grover himself.

24. Little Boo by Stephen Wunderli

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and one little pumpkin seed tries and tries to be scary. But he doesn't scare anyone . . . not the snowflakes in winter, not the bees in spring, not even the watering can!

The wind tells him to be patient―he'll be scary soon enough. But waiting is hard. Will the little seed ever be really, truly scary?

This simple story is more than a fun Halloween read―it is a heartwarming tale perfect for any child who can't wait to grow up.

25. It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! by Charles M. Schultz

Spooky tricks and hilarious treats abound in this retelling of the beloved Halloween special that comes with holographic foil and embossing on the cover!

Celebrate Halloween with Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang!

It’s Halloween night, which means costumes, trick-or-treating, bobbing for apples…and waiting for the Great Pumpkin. Linus is certain that the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch to bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year that it finally happens?

Bonus Spooky Fun for Littles

Preschool Halloween Songs

I hope you sing song with your little one at home, or with your students at school if you are a teacher. Music is such a wonderful way to learn. Here are a few fun halloween songs you can sing with your children.

Ten Timid Ghosts

Okay, guys! One more read-aloud. I didn't mention this one in my list above, but perhaps I should have. This book is read aloud by the children in a class. Beware, there are some pretty scary sound effects!

Best Halloween Books for Kindergarten

Really, you can absolutely read any of the books aloud to your Kindergarteners. But in case you are still looking for the perfect book, here are a few that I found for you, available on Amazon.

Scary Elementary Books

Here are a few more books that you can read to your elementary age children. Beware, they might be a little bit scary!

Books Like Goosebumps

I'll admit it right now. Some of my favorite movies and books to sit down and watch are the Goosebumps series. My daughter in particular just loves to be scared! If you love the Goosebumps books, here are a few similar-type books that you might enjoy:

I hope you find something in this list and on this page that will spook and delight your young reader. Especially if it encourages reading and loving books. Always remember to have a great library of seasonal and year-round books at home and in the classroom.

If you enjoyed this list of spooky books for preschoolers, or if you have one to add, please let me know in the comments below. Have fun reading!