I’m happy to say that Halloween is in full swing at our house. We’ve placed a few decorations here and there, arranged our pumpkins on the front porch, planned out the costumes, and baked our favorite pumpkin recipes. Come evening, you’ll find us curled up with our favorite scary and not-so-scary Halloween books. It’s the best, really. Picture books, search-and-find books, chapter books and poems all feature in our family story time. Here are a few recommendations to add to your own Halloween library. Many of these have been adapted to great movies, as well.
In a Dark Dark Wood by David Carter
This is short and sweet, and little ones never tire of the surprise ending. If you are helping with any class parties at Halloween time, this makes a great story time read, especially for pre-k and early grades.
The Spider and the Fly by Tony DiTerlizzi
Based on the cautionary tale by Mary Howitt, with wonderful black and white illustrations. This has good rhythm, and is plenty creepy what with that nasty spider and all. Will that silly little fly ever learn?
The Witches by Roald Dahl
If you thought Willy Wonka was a creepy character, just read this one. The witches in this story are truly creepy, but the story itself manages to avoid complete terror in typical Roald Dahl fashion. It’s darker than some kid-lit, but likable all the same.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling
I was late to the Harry Potter train, and didn’t read any of them until just before the first movie was released. And then I read every one that was published at that time, in succession. That was years ago, but still I think of them at Halloween time, and have seized the month of October to introduce the boy wizard to my own boys.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving
It’s short, but not sweet, but a classic for sure. The writing style is still just a bit beyond my grade schoolers, but they love listening to it read aloud or via audio recording.
I Spy On a Spooky Night by Walter Wicke
My boys have loved snuggling up with a good I Spy or Can You See What I See? book since they were toddlers, and have yet to tire of it. Those with Halloween themes are particular favorites, with all the magic of those tiny little details and hidden ghosts and skeletons and spiders. These also make a perfect activity when your little one is home sick.
Happy reading, friends. I’d love to know some of your favorite spooky and not-so-spooky titles, since there is always room in our little home library for more!
Kimberly
...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.
