Halloween Children’s Books–2023 recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.
Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.
Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.
The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
Picture Books
Halloween in the Orchard (Countryside Holidays, 3)
by Phyllis Alsdurf (Author), Lisa Hunt (Illustrator)
- Publisher ā : ā Beaming Books
- Year: 2023
- Grades: PreK-3
- Hardcover ā picture book: ā 32 pages
- ISBN-10 ā : ā 1506487688
Brief summary: A young boy and his parents dress up in costumes to visit an orchard on Halloween, where there are many fun activities, including trick-or-treating with scarecrows, a corn maze, and a hayride.
Comments: What child(or adult) wouldn’t like to go to an apple orchard like this on Halloween night!?!
Rating: 4/5 šššš
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This is the third book of the Countryside Holidays series.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow (Mother Bruce Series)
by Ryan T. Higgins (Author, Illustrator)
- Publisher ā : ā Disney Hyperion
- Year: 2023
- Grades: PreK-3
- Hardcover ā picture book: ā 48 pages
- ISBN-10 ā : ā 1368059589
Brief summary: Although grumpy Bruce does not like holidays, especially Halloween, with all of those visitors appearing at his door, Bruce gets talked into and agrees to role-playing a scary story called “The Legend of Soggy Hollow” with his forest friends…but were they indeed all of his friends?
Comments: A cute and hilarious parody of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, one of my favorite spooky stories.
Rating: 4/5 šššš
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The Goblin Twins
by Frances Cha (Author), Jaime Kim (Illustrator)
- Publisher ā : ā Crown Books for Young Readers
- Year: 2023
- Grades: PreK-3
- Hardcover picture bookā : ā 40 pages
- ISBN-10 ā : ā 059348021X
Brief summary: Doki and Kebi are dokkaebi, a cross between a spirit and a goblin, who will need to move, as their home was being torn down to build a new one. Although Doki likes to give gifts of gold and silver to people with his magic club while his twin, Kebi, wants to scare people with his, they decide to live together in a haunted house in a strange land called America just in time for Halloween.
Comments: This is based on Korean lore. A more detailed explanation can be found in the back of the book in the Author’s Note.
I love to read monster/mythical creature lore from other countries. This would make an excellent addition to the Halloween or folklore section of a library.
Rating: 4/5 šššš
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Nonfiction
Halloween (Traditions & Celebrations)
by Charles C Hofer (Author)
- Publisher ā : ā Pebble Books
- Year: 2023
- Grades: 2-4
- Paperback ānonfiction picture book : ā 32 pages
- ISBN-10 ā : ā 0756575605
Brief summary: Young readers will learn how Halloween began, how we celebrate it today, and how other countries(Mexico, Germany, France, and Japan) celebrate holidays like it.
Comments: Words in bold are in the glossary. The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author.
Rating: 3/5 ššš
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Halloween (Holiday History)
by Spanier Kristine Mlis (Author)
- Publisher ā : ā Pogo Books
- Year: 2023
- Grades: 2-4
- Paperback nonfiction paperback–32 pages
- ISBN-13 ā : ā 979-8885241298
Brief summary: Young readers will learn about the origins of Halloween, the traditions, and how South Korea and Ireland celebrate.
Comments: Several “Did You Know?” squares give more information about the page’s topic. The back sections are Quick Facts & Tools: Halloween Place of Origin, Glossary, Index, and To Learn More.
Rating: 3/5 ššš
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ššRelated book recommendations are Fall Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023 and Pumpkin Children’s Books–2023. šš