BOO(ks): Spooky Season Must-reads

There is just about nothing I love more than going ALL OUT for holiday festivities...so you know that when Spooky Season arrives, I have...as the kids say... zero chill. It's been basically a month of non-stop pumpkin scented everything around here, and I make no apologies. I'm here for all the crafts (and festivals, and treats, and matching jammies)...but especially: the books. I've been sharing our weekly/daily/hourly library hauls on Instagram, but thought it would be helpful to do a bit of a permanent "round up" of the books we just can't get enough of this time of year.

Our Top Picks:
The shelf staples (in no particular order)

• Spooky Pookie: Pookie is just the cutest. But Pookie in COSTUMES is even better.
• Seaver the Weaver: A story about a spider learning to do things his own way. Love his creativity!
  
• Gustavo the Shy Ghost: Lovely story about a ghost finding friends. Beautiful work by a Mexican author/illustrator. We tried the Wonderbook version of this one- the "soundtrack" made it extra special.
• Room on the Broom: A true classic (from the creators of The Gruffalo, so you know it's good.)
• Ghost in the House: What kid doesn't like a lift-the-flap book? This one has a surprise to guess on each page.
• The Monster's Monster: The characters here are irresistible, and the main guy has such a sweet spirit.
• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything: Even my littlest ones have this memorized. Do you remember this one from elementary school read aloud? I'll never tire of it.
  
• Pick a Pumpkin: Beautifully illustrated story about Fall. 
  

 

Honorable Mentions:  
If you have a liiiiiiitle bit more space on your shelf...or 5 more minutes until bedtime (for REAL this time) these are great additions.

• Bonaparte Falls Apart: Sweet guy just wants to fit in. And stay together.
• I just ate my friend: Simplest story ever, but makes us all laugh. The end is adorable.
• There's a Witch in your Book: Interactive tale that our three-year-old is obsessed with. Plus- it has a spell to clean your room, so I'm a fan. (There is a whole series of these!)
• Go Away Big Green Monster: Fun concept where kids get to "build" a monster by turning the pages. (and then get to make him disappear!)
  
• We're Going on a Goon Hunt: Ok, so this parody isn't going to win any awards, but it's based on a classic, which was beloved for a reason. This is a fun Halloween-themed version, with a cute little twist. Kids love the familiar mixed with the new. 
  
• Junie B., First Grader: Boo...and I Mean It!: This girl is my all time fav so of course I adore the Halloween version.
  
• Trick or Treat Crankenstein: The MOST realistic tale of the monster we all turn into sometimes. (the original version is great too: Crankenstein) 
• The Night Before Halloween: We have EVERY holiday edition of this- seriously, even election day- but this is one of the best for sure.
  
• Creepy Pair of Underwear: The title alone is worth checking this out. Goofy story about...well....some truly creepy underwear. (We read Creepy Carrots too, and got a kick out of seeing the little references the author included to his other books)

 

And if that's still not enough (what even IS enough!?!) Here is the FULL list of what we're reading (and loving) this season:

Original Favorites
Unique stories...mostly new to me, maybe to you too!

• Monster Trouble: Points for diversity. Love that the monsters can be defeated with kisses!
• Bone Soup: Anything with a bit of an "ick" factor is a hit with my kids. This one has an actual recipe at the end...but contains far too many vegetables for my children to want to attempt it!
  Posey the Monster Slayer: Love the strong main character...she ignores bedtime to fight monsters...much to her parents' chagrin. They get increasingly upset, using her FULL name as they yell for her to get back in bed. We all got a kick out of that....relatable.
  
• The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt: Ok- I cheated. I have this on hold from the library, but haven't gotten to read it yet. But SURELY I'll love it, right?! The title alone!
• Jerry Seinfeld Halloween: If you remember his bit about Halloween- "Get Candy Get Candy Get Candy!" you'll love this illustrated version.
• The Spider and the Fly: Not going to lie- the subject of this one was a bit dark. It has a decent lesson...but still creeped me out a little. The illustrations are beautifully intricate and dramatic though!
• The Okay Witch: The first graphic novel my ten year old has tried...I can't personally vouch for it, but she begs me to stay up late reading it, so that feels like a good sign. 
  
• It's a Pumpkin: Animals solving a silly little mystery...what IS that thing?
  
• Stumpkin: Poor little guy just wants to be picked!
• Sir Simon: Super Scarer: Cute buddy comedy between a ghost and the friend who finds him.
• The Little Ghost Who Lost her Boo: Simple story about a ghost looking for her "boo". Good for little kids- especially if they love animal sounds.
• Ghosts: A loooong one. But fun concept about all the different types of "typical household ghosts" (and yes, my kids especially liked that there was one in the bathroom!)
  
• Los Gatos Black on Halloween: Fun to learn some Spanish vocab.
  
• How to Make Friends with a Ghost: Sweet story about making friends for life (and beyond). 

Classics
You get it.

• There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat: You either like these books, or you're desperately tired of them. (And by that I mean: you are either my kids, or me.)
  
• Spookley the Square Pumpkin: Hot take- this book is ADORABLE, and the movie is GARBAGE. Change my mind. 

  

Simple Stories
Not investment pieces but still fun, quick reads that kids will get a kick out of.

• It's Raining Bats and Frogs: Wordplay for the win.
  
• At the Old Haunted House: A counting book that even my older kids still like.
  
•  Wee Witches Halloween: This one has been in our rotation for years. 
• The Best Halloween Hunt Ever: Fun seek & find book that kids can "read" on their own.
  
• T. Rex Trick or Treats: If you have a dino-lover this is a winner. T.Rex just wants to be scary...spoiler alert- he totally is!
  
• Spider Sandwiches: Again- the gross-out factor makes this a big winner in our house. Fun little board book about some combos that might make you lose your lunch.
  

Non-Technically Halloween
(But still fun and spooky)

• I Love my Fangs!: A very proud vampire!
  
• The Leaf Thief: Cute Fall tale.
  
• Skulls: It's like the "Everybody Poops" for cranial anatomy.
  
• Yellow Time: Honestly- the kids think this one is boring, but I find it beautiful.
• Vampenguin: A vampire family visits the zoo...what could go wrong?
• Leo: A Ghost Story: Sweet story of friendship.

Fav Series
If your kids (or you!) have a fav author/series/charactore then these Halloween editions are sure to be a hit!

• A Unicorn Named Sparkle and the Pumpkin Monster: I have an eight-year old girl, so this series is an obvious win. The goat...I mean...unicorn IS pretty cute though.
  
• The Bad Seed Presents: The Good the Bad and The Spooky: This one felt a little long to me, but forgivable, because this is such a fun and unique series.
  
• Duck & Goose: Honk! Quack! Boo! (we also have Find a Pumpkin): These stories are a little dry at times, but are nice classic kid reads.
  
• Click Clack Boo!: Cows getting into trouble again!
  
• Pig the Monster: Little vulger (I mean...for a 5 year old) with some naughty prank-behavior, but a pug in costume is pretty cute.
  
• Little Blue Truck's Halloween: If you have a toddler or preschooler then you've read the classic version 8,000 times. Might as well spice it up a bit!
  
• Fright Club: We found Fangsgiving and got hooked on this author! Fun and quirky stories.
  
• Vampirina Ballerina: I'm not familiar with the Disney channel series etc. but this original story is beautifully depicted (feels vintage!)
  
•  How to Scare a Ghost: We have the other versions in this series (How to babysit a grandpa/grandma etc.) so this one was a fun edition. My six-year-old was a little skeptical of these tips, but loved reading about it!

So, there's a virtual hayride full of my opinions. But what about you? Any other favs in your pile? What winners did I miss? And is anyone else up to their earwigs in spooky stories and LOVING IT?

-------------------------------------------

Psssst....Want to get all the Bowdenisms news delivered right to your inbox?
YES PLEASE! Subscribe via email and never miss an -ism.  xox.