I know schools tend to be all over the map when it comes to celebrating Halloween in the classroom. Some schools opt for Book Character Dress-Up Day, while others go full-fledged bobbing for apples-parties from the 90s. What you do is none of my business–but what is my business is books (literally). I’m super pumped to tell you about my go-to Halloween books to read to students.
The One For Giggles: Click, Clack, Boo
Click, Clack, Boo is a Halloween classic that will have your students giggling from beginning to end. It’s the perfect mix of silly and spooky, making it ideal for Halloween storytime.
What I Love About It: This is a great book to use as a segue into a discussion about farms and where our food comes from. The illustrations are also super cute and will capture your students’ attention.
Great for teaching: Predicting, point of view
Favorite question(s) to ask while reading Click, Clack, Boo:
– What do you think is going to happen next?
– Do you think Farmer Brown should have listened to the animals? Why or why not?
– Check out the illustrations. What do they remind you of?
The One With Rhymes: Room on the Broom
Room on the Broom is a Halloween favorite that is great for students because it is packed with rhymes. The illustrations are also top-notch, making it a perfect read-aloud book. Not to mention, the story is super fun and engaging! If you’re looking for a festive Halloween book to share with your class, Room on the Broom is a great.
Favorite question(s) to ask while reading Room on the Broom:
– What do you think the witch will do next?
– Do you think the animals will become friends?
– What would you do if you found a broomstick that could fly?
The One With the Surprise Ending: Creepy Carrots
Creepy Carrots is one of my favorite Halloween books for kids. It’s about a bunny who is being terrorized by carrots. The illustrations are great and the story is suspenseful. The ending is a surprise that will make you laugh out loud. I highly recommend this book for students who are looking for a good Halloween read.
Favorite question(s) to ask while reading Creepy Carrots:
-Do you think the carrots are really alive?
-Do you think Jasper really sees carrots everywhere he goes?
-How do you think the story will end?
Make sure to grab a copy of Creepy Carrots for your Halloween book collection!
The One That Thrills: The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Out of all the Halloween books on this list, this book is perfect for a scary Halloween! It’s the story of a little old lady who encounters some spooky creatures on her way home one night, but she’s not afraid of anything. She’s fierce and brave, and your students will love cheering her on. This book is also great for sparking discussion about what we’re afraid of and how to overcome our fears.
Favorite question(s) to ask while reading The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything:
-What would you do if you met a creature like the one in the book?
-How did the little old lady feel when she encountered each creature?
-Is it possible to not be afraid of anything?
-What are some things that you’re afraid of?
The One Everyone Loves: Spookley the Square Pumpkin
Spookley the Square Pumpkin is a Halloween classic that has been around for years. Every Halloween, Spookley is surrounded by pointy-faced pumpkins who make fun of him. One day, a big storm comes and all of the other pumpkins are blown away. It’s up to Spookley to save the day! This book is great for students because it teaches them to be accepting of others and to not judge a book by its cover. Halloween is a time for everyone to come together and have fun, and this book embodies that message.
I’m slightly obsessed with this book, so make sure to check out this post to read more about what I like to do to celebrate Spookley.
Pssst…Want a set of paperless discussion slides for any read-aloud? (Spoiler: it even comes with a random question generator you can click on any time you gather on the carpet for a good book!)
The One: Big Pumpkin
One of my favorite Halloween books, Big Pumpkin, is a book that tells the story of a pumpkin that is so big, it can’t be moved. The pumpkin is so big that it scares the people who come to see it. When Halloween comes, the pumpkin is still there, and the people are gone. The only person who isn’t scared of the big pumpkin is a little girl named Sally. She decides to take the pumpkin and make a pie out of it. This book is great for students because it teaches them about Halloween and how to be brave. It also shows them that even though something may be different from what they’re used to, it can still be amazing. This book is perfect for Halloween because it’s both spooky and fun.
Favorite question(s) to ask while reading Big Pumpkin:
-What would you do if you saw a big pumpkin?
-How do you think Sally felt when she saw the big pumpkin?
-Why do you think the people were scared of the big pumpkin?
-Do you think the pumpkin was really alive? Why or why not?
-What lesson do you think the author is teaching us?
The One About Teamwork: The Roll-Away Pumpkin
Roll-Away Pumpkin is one of those Halloween books that is great for teaching teamwork. The story follows a group of friends who work together to roll a pumpkin down a hill. This is a great book for Halloween because it teaches the importance of working together. It also includes a lot of fun Halloween activities that kids will love.
This book is perfect for students who are just learning to read. The words are simple and easy to understand. The illustrations are also very helpful in aiding comprehension.
The One for STEAM: Bonaparte Falls Apart
Bonaparte Falls Apart is perfect for STEM students because it introduces basic concepts of engineering and physics. Bonaparte Falls Apart is also a great choice for reluctant readers. The story is engaging and the illustrations are humorous. Another bonus is that the book is short, so it can be easily read in one sitting. Halloween is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and Bonaparte Falls Apart is a great choice for students of all ages. So if you’re looking for a Halloween book that’s both educational and entertaining, look no further than Bonaparte Falls Apart!
Great extension activity: Make bone bridges! I love these from Kerry Tracy.
The Factual One: Halloween Is…
Halloween is… By Gail Gibbons is a great Halloween book for students. It is a non-fiction book that tells the reader all about Halloween. It goes into detail about where Halloween started, what people used to do on Halloween, and what people do now on Halloween. This book is perfect for kids who want to learn more about this spooky holiday!
Honorable Mentions:
Ready to make it an all-around great Halloween? Check out these articles I also wrote:
Spookley the Square Pumpkin Activities
Halloween Games All Kids Will Love
Halloween Prompts That Are Scary Good
Arm you with high-quality tools: Sleep peacefully at night knowing you’re doing what’s best for your students.
Save your energy: Provide resources that cost you little energy (that stuff is precious)---but have high impact on your students.
Light your spark: Putting fun back into your classroom after the hardest teaching years can be just what you and your students need.
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