There’s something about autumn that makes curling up with a good book feel even better. Darker evenings, cosy blankets, pumpkins appearing on doorsteps and, of course, just the right amount of spooky!
Whether your little reader prefers friendly witches, silly skeletons and mischievous ghosts, or they’re old enough to enjoy something that sends a genuine shiver down their spine, I’ve picked out nine brilliant books to get you in the Halloween spirit.
For the little witches
Room on the Broom – Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler
A Halloween bookshelf wouldn’t feel complete without this one. When a kind witch repeatedly makes room on her broom for a collection of new animal friends, things eventually get a little crowded, especially when a hungry dragon appears!
With Julia Donaldson’s wonderfully rhyming text and Axel Scheffler’s instantly recognisable illustrations, Room on the Broom is funny, comforting and just spooky enough for little readers.
Best for: Ages 3–7
Meg and Mog – Helen Nicoll & Jan Pieńkowski
Meg, her stripy cat Mog and their friend Owl have been delighting children for generations. In the original story, Meg gets dressed in her witchiest clothes and heads off to a Halloween party, although her spell doesn’t go entirely according to plan!
The bold illustrations, simple text and gentle silliness make this a lovely Halloween choice for younger children.
Best for: Ages 2–6
Winnie the Witch – Valerie Thomas & Korky Paul
Winnie lives in a completely black house with her black cat, Wilbur. Unfortunately, that makes Wilbur rather difficult to spot, leading Winnie to try a little magic to solve the problem.
Bright, chaotic and packed with details to discover in Korky Paul’s illustrations, Winnie and Wilbur are perfect for children who like their witches much more funny than frightening.
Best for: Ages 3–7
For the little monsters
Funnybones – Allan Ahlberg & Janet Ahlberg
“On a dark dark hill, there was a dark dark town…”
If you grew up with Funnybones, chances are you can already hear the beginning in your head!
Big Skeleton, Little Skeleton and Dog Skeleton set off into the night looking for someone to frighten, but their adventures are far more funny than scary. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic Halloween read and the repetition makes it great fun to read aloud.
Best for: Ages 4–8
There’s a Ghost in This House – Oliver Jeffers
A little girl lives in a house that might be haunted. The only problem? She has never actually seen a ghost.
The reader, however, might have better luck…
Oliver Jeffers uses transparent pages to hide ghostly visitors throughout the house, making this part story and part ghost hunt. Beautiful, clever and delightfully spooky, this is one children will want to explore again and again.
Best for: Ages 3–7
How to Make Friends with a Ghost – Rebecca Green
What should you do if you meet a ghost? Befriend it, of course!
This sweet little book offers a handy guide to caring for your new ghostly companion – from feeding it its favourite snacks to telling spooky stories together.
With gorgeous vintage-inspired illustrations and a surprisingly heartwarming story about friendship, this is a perfect choice for children who prefer their ghosts friendly.
Best for: Ages 4–8
For the slightly older ones
Ready for something a little spookier? These choices are great for children beginning to move beyond picture books, including those who actually want Halloween stories to give them a few chills!
The Worst Witch – Jill Murphy
Long before a certain other famous school for witches and wizards, there was Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches.
Unfortunately for Mildred Hubble, being a witch doesn’t come naturally. From disastrous spells to troublesome broomstick lessons, she somehow always seems to find herself in a muddle.
Funny, magical and full of charm, The Worst Witch is a brilliant first chapter book for younger independent readers.
Best for: Ages 7–10
The Graveyard Book – Neil Gaiman
Now we’re getting properly spooky.
Nobody Owens – known as Bod – is an ordinary boy being raised by a decidedly unusual family: the ghosts and supernatural inhabitants of a graveyard.
There’s adventure, humour and plenty of heart, but there are also some genuinely dark and frightening moments, making this one much better suited to older or more confident readers.
Best for: Ages 10+
Goosebumps – R. L. Stine
For children who want to be scared, it’s hard to leave Goosebumps off a Halloween reading list.
Rather than one book, this hugely popular series offers all sorts of creepy adventures – haunted masks, monsters, ghosts, sinister ventriloquist dummies and plenty of things that go bump in the night.
They’re fast-paced, fun and creepy without venturing into adult horror territory, making them a great next step for children who have outgrown gentler Halloween stories.
Best for: Ages 8–12
What’s on your Halloween bookshelf?
Whether your family prefers friendly ghosts and muddled witches or something genuinely creepy, Halloween is the perfect excuse to dim the lights, get cosy and share a spooky story together.
Have I included your favourite? I’d love to know which Halloween books your family brings out year after year, or which ones I need to add to my own reading list!
And if spooky stories aren’t quite your thing, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate the season through books. My own Wild Britain: Habitat Tales are gentle, nature-filled adventures for children aged 3–8, following some of Britain’s wonderful wildlife through woodlands, coastlines and wildflower meadows. Perfect for a cosy autumn story time without a ghost or witch in sight!
