October brings falling leaves, pumpkin spice and costumes. The following Halloween books celebrate the spooky season.
MONSTERS COME OUT TONIGHT!, by Frederick Glasser and Edward Miller, Harry N. Abrams, Aug. 13, 2019, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 3 and up)
All of the monsters are getting ready for the big Halloween bash in this rhyming board book. Lift the flaps to reveal Dracula brushing his fangs, witches combing their hair, and more silly surprises! Quirky illustrations hold plenty of details that will be sure to tickle readers’ funny bones and get them in the Halloween spirit. —synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
While Halloween can be fun for many, it can also be really scary for little ones. Monsters Come Out Tonight! is a cute board book that makes sometimes creepy characters accessible. It’s a good introduction to the holiday.
PICK A PUMPKIN, by Patricia Toht and Jarvis, Candlewick, July 9, 2019, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 3-7)
Readers will follow along with each step, from picking out the perfect specimen at the pumpkin patch (be sure to stop for cider and toffee apples) to carting it home, scooping out the insides, carving a scary face, and finally lighting a candle inside — savoring the familiar ritual of transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind glowing jack-o’-lantern. —synopsis provided by Candlewick
Pick a Pumpkin is a sweet story that will help build excitement for and prompt memories of a picking out just the right pumpkin. This is a great not-so-spooky Halloween book.
THE RIGHT ONE FOR RODERIC, by Violeta Noy, Templar, July 9, 2019, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 5-7)
All ghosts wear white sheets. That’s just what ghosts do. White sheets are good for haunting people, and they make the ghosts feel like part of one big family. But one little ghost named Roderic wants to wear something different. He tries all sorts of things: a bag, a rug, a boot. Can he find the right one for him? — synopsis provided by Templar
The Right One for Roderic sweet and simple yet completely heartfelt.
HIDE AND SEEK, by Katie May Green , Candlewick, July 16, 2019, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 5-8)
A midsummer moon shines on Shiverhawk Hall, where portraits of children come alive on the wall. As night falls, the playful painted residents wake up for another Gorey-esque rhyming caper. When the DeVillechild twins are nowhere to be seen, the other children escape their frames in search of two girls in white dresses — and, possibly, a midnight game in the garden. Out in the night air, through the maze, and into the woods they go, looking for their mysterious friends. Will they be able to find the twins before the sun rises? —synopsis provided by Candlewick
While the suggested age for this eerie, but not scary, tale is ages 5-8, I think it skews a little younger. I’d suggest 4-6 or 7 if the child is reading to younger siblings.
GHOULIA AND THE MYSTERIOUS VISITOR, by Barbara Cantini , Harry N. Abrams, Aug. 13, 2019, Hardcover, $9.99 (ages 6-8)
One dark and stormy night, Ghoulia’s cousin Dilbert comes to visit her at Crumbling Manor. She’s confused — she didn’t invite him, and it turns out that Dilbert’s a real grouch. He complains about everything! When Ghoulia tries to track down Auntie Departed to find out why she invited Dilbert, she finds that Auntie has vanished. Ghoulia can’t find her. And the doorbell won’t stop ringing. One after another, Ghoulia’s friends arrive—all with the same mysterious invitation in hand. As the gang searches Crumbling Manor for Auntie Departed, one of their own goes missing. Finally, Dilbert inadvertently solves the mystery in the greenhouse when he finds himself face-to-face with the sinister Chatterbox Ivy. —synopsis provided by Harry N. Abrams
This is the second book in the charming Ghoulia series, which follows a zombie girl who lives in a haunted manor. These early readers feature full-color illustrations and kid-friendly activities. While the 60ish-page books don’t feature chapters per say, there are natural resting points built in throughout.
