Halloween is creeping closer, and there’s truly nothing better than setting the spooky mood by curling up together with a good Halloween story. Some of the loveliest childhood memories are made reading those eerie-but-not-too-scary tales before bedtime. Most of us have built up a little collection over the years those well-loved Halloween books that stay on the shelf no matter how old the kids get. We asked our Phuket Kids community to share their favourites, and we’ve gathered our top ten spooky story picks perfect when paired with pumpkin cookies, gooey treats, and a warm mug of hot chocolate!
Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
A little bat uses brains over brawn in this not-so-scary Halloween picture book.
The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can’t get it off the vine.
It’s so big the ghost can’t move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there’ll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day.
How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You’ll be surprised!
Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
The perfect cure for a cranky kid, illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling and Caldecott-winning artist, Dan Santat.
BEWARE OF CRANKENSTEIN! He’s a little monster of crankiness that no one can destroy! MEHHRRRR!!! He may look like any ordinary boy, but when faced with a rainy day, a melting popsicle, or an early bedtime, one little boy transforms into a mumbling, grumbling Crankenstein. When Crankenstein meets his match in a fellow Crankenstein, the results could be catastrophic–or they could be just what he needs to brighten his day! This hilarious and relatable tale of grumpiness gone awry will turn toddler tantrums to giggles in no time.
Don’t miss the other books about Crankenstein!
A Crankenstein Valentine
Trick or Treat, Crankenstein
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green
What do you do when you meet a ghost? One: Provide the ghost with some of its favourite snacks, like mud tarts and earwax truffles. Two: Tell your ghost bedtime stories (ghosts love to be read to). Three: Make sure no one mistakes your ghost for whipped cream or a marshmallow when you aren’t looking! If you follow these few simple steps and the rest of the essential tips in How to Make Friends with a Ghost, you’ll see how a ghost friend will lovingly grow up and grow old with you.
A whimsical story about ghost care, Rebecca Green’s debut picture book is a perfect combination of offbeat humour, quirky and sweet illustrations, and the timeless theme of friendship.
The Halloween Moon by Joseph Fink
From New York Times bestselling adult author Joseph Fink comes a wickedly fun middle grade novel about a Halloween-obsessed girl named Esther Gold, who goes out trick-or-treating for one last year, only to find her town under the thrall of a mysterious presence.
Esther Gold loves Halloween more than anything in the world. So she is determined to go trick-or-treating again this year despite the fact that her parents think she is officially too old. Esther has it all planned out, from her costume to her candy-collecting strategy. But when the night rolls around, something feels . . . off.
No one is answering their door. The moon is an unnatural shade of orange. Strange children wander the streets, wearing creepy costumes that might not be costumes at all. And it seems like the only people besides Esther who are awake to see it all are her best friend, her school bully, and her grown-up next-door neighbour.
Together, this unlikely crew must find a way to lift the curse that has been placed upon their small town before it’s too late. Because someone is out to make sure Halloween never comes to an end. And even Esther doesn’t want to be trapped in this night forever.
Little Witch by Anna Elizabeth Bennett
“Miss Bennett…has a talent for mixing fantasy, realism, and comedy. She also includes a dollop of pure syrup, but this will undoubtedly make the story all the more palatable for the young. It is an extremely good one to read [during the Halloween season].”—The New York Times
This 60th anniversary edition of the classic Little Witch is sure to delight fans of mythology and magic. It follows the adventures of nine-year-old Minx, a little which who wants to sneak away and go to school. One day, she manages it. The story follows her trials and adventures with her mortal schoolmates and teachers.
Here is a 60th anniversary edition. This classic of children’s fantasy will delight new readers, young and old, who have a fondness for the Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series.
The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason
When you’re a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard! An adorable picture book for fans of Stumpkin and How to Make Friends with a Ghost.
Ghosts are supposed to be sheets, light as air and able to whirl and twirl and float and soar. But the little ghost who is a quilt can’t whirl or twirl at all, and when he flies, he gets very hot.
He doesn’t know why he’s a quilt. His parents are both sheets, and so are all of his friends. (His great-grandmother was a lace curtain, but that doesn’t really help cheer him up.) He feels sad and left out when his friends are zooming around and he can’t keep up.
But one Halloween, everything changes. The little ghost who was a quilt has an experience that no other ghost could have, an experience that only happens because he’s a quilt… and he realises that it’s OK to be different.
The Little Kitten By Nicola Killen
“Lucky kitten, lucky readers: a sweet, special Halloween story.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This gentle story is a sweet option for a Halloween read-aloud and will please young feline fans any time of the year.” —Booklist
From beloved author-illustrator Nicola Killen comes a charming autumnal story about a little girl who must return a lost kitten to its home, lovingly told and illustrated in limited colour with lovely foil and interactive die-cut pages.
Ollie and her cat Pumpkin are out frolicking on a beautiful fall day when they come upon a tiny kitten shivering in a pile of fallen leaves. Ollie warms the kitten up, and the three become fast friends, but when Ollie sees “Lost Kitten” posters hanging on the trees in the forest, she knows she has to help her new friend get home. As Halloween draws nearer, magic is afoot, and Ollie’s good deed is rewarded in an unexpected way.
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle
Celebrate Halloween with the #1 New York Times bestselling Little Blue Truck and friends!
Beep! Beep! It’s Halloween! Little Blue Truck is picking up his animal friends for a costume party.
Lift the flaps in this large, sturdy board book to find out who’s dressed up in each costume! Will Blue wear a costume, too?
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of Anything by Linda Williams
“A splendiferous Halloween story.” —The Horn Book
“A great purchase for Halloween or any time of year.” —School Library Journal (starred review)
Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.
And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.
A classic and fun Halloween read-aloud story that neither you nor the kids in your life will be able to resist, whether curled up at home or in a classroom or library setting.
True Ghost Stories for Kids: Fifty Spine-tingling Ghostly Tales by Barbara Smith
Everyone loves ghost stories, but this book of true ghost stories is only for kids! Whether you’re huddled under the covers with a flashlight, camping out with your family or having a sleepover with your friends , you’ll get a shiver out of these spooky stories. True Ghost Stories for Kids, Fifty Spine-Tingling Ghostly Tales, is sure to give you goosebumps. These creepy tales include one about a haunted toy store, a stuffed animal that talks – and says things it shouldn’t say. There are stories about phantom ships, planes and buses and even one about angry birds – not the game – these are the vicious ghosts of prehistoric birds. Best-selling ghost story author Barbara Smith is especially pleased to present her latest collection. This one’s for her very favourite readers – kids, just like you. Enjoy the fun!
