From friendly ghosts and mischievous monsters to pumpkins, witches and wonderfully spooky adventures, Halloween stories are a brilliant way to get little ones excited for the spookiest time of the year. Whether you’re looking for a giggle-worthy picture book for toddlers, a cosy bedtime story to share together, or a spine-tingling tale for older readers, there’s a Halloween book to delight every little bookworm. So, grab a cosy blanket, switch on your pumpkin lights and settle in for some spellbinding storytime inspiration with our pick of the best Halloween books for kids!
Babies and Toddlers (0-5 yrs)
Winona the Good Witch by Debbie Ditchfield
In this enchanting rhyming adventure, step into a cosy, magical town where kindness is as powerful as any spell. Winona the Good Witch invites young readers into a world of witches and wizards, where every day magic helps neighbours, feeds friends, and keeps the town buzzing with warmth. When Winona's beloved pointy pink hat suddenly goes missing, her gentle world is thrown into disarray—for without it, her magic may fail by the end of the day. Joined by her loyal wizard friend Wilbur, Winona searches high and low, from bustling shops to whispering forests, meeting quirky characters along the way. As time slips by, Winona learns an important lesson about listening, patience, and trusting those closest to her—especially her cheeky little cat, Whisper. Filled with charm, humour and heart, Winona the Good Witch is a delightful story about friendship, perseverance and the magic of paying attention.
A Bat Named Bap by W.L.Little
When a mischievous bat named Bap crash-lands on a little girl, chaos takes flight! From pinched noses to buzzing bees, Bap's antics send everyone running, splashing, and laughing. A delightfully silly, rhyming romp, perfect for kids who love funny creatures, unexpected friendships, and adventures that swirl through the sky.
Sticky the Spider by Julie Simper
Sticky the Spider lives a quiet life in a cosy cupboard with his dad—until curiosity sends him tumbling into one adventure after another. After a mishap in a pot of white paint leaves him with eight unexpected boots, Sticky worries life will never feel normal again. But school surprises him, a new friend brightens his days, and soon he’s swept into a whirlwind journey involving runaway balloons, sandy beaches, helpful crabs, quarrelling peacocks, and even a gentle dragon. Full of courage, kindness, and a whole lot of heart, Sticky discovers that being different can lead to the most extraordinary adventures—and sometimes even help save the day.
Eight by NantySu
A thrilling journey for Eight, an unexpected, scary and cleansing experience that makes for rhyme, heart racing and relief. Readers join in, sharing sounds and song that bring her story to life. Eight, she is never late, she lives outside your garden gate - everyone has an Eight, have you met her yet?
Early Readers (6-9 yrs)
A Fright in the Night by Samantha Avieson
In the still of the night, a child's fears come alive, and a wise adult offers an unexpected remedy.
Witch Potion? By Alice and Thomas Gilbert
Yet another love story between a prince and a princess? Well, yes… but so much more than that! In this tale of mixed?up mischief and wacky potion disasters, you’ll discover how a lovable witch can mistake a rat’s bottom for a prince’s kiss, how a clumsy prince ends up diving into the sewer, how an invisible man falls in love with a smelly pile of toads, how the most beautiful princess in the land can send everyone into fits of laughter, and how a rat becomes an unlikely celebrity. Don’t worry—this delightful nonsense eventually falls into place… well, sort of.
Splat the Pumpkin by Chrissie Lackey
Just as Splat thinks he’ll never be good enough to join the Big Pumpkin Pick, something incredible happens—and he discovers he’s in for a very special night. A charming tale of kindness, tolerance, and a sprinkle of magic.
Behind the Hedge by Ann Campling
Eva is an only child whose imagination allows her to slip in and out of a magical world, when she visits her grandma. Grandma's garden is rambling place full of secret places. On this visit Eva dresses as a witch from her dressing up box, but is not quite prepared for the incredible journey she is about to make. Her imagination builds a story, that takes her on a journey as a witch in a realm woven by the stories she knows.
Marvella The Good Witch by Kansas Reid
Deep in the forest lives Marvella, a witch unlike any other—kind, gentle, and full of light.
Old Boney loves to Boogie by Simon Williamson
In a dark, dark graveyard, under a crooked old tree, sat a lonely skeleton… dreaming of dancing free. But with missing bones and no one to help, Old Boney had given up hope—until Lucy came along. When brave young Lucy finds the forlorn pile of bones on Halloween night, she doesn’t run away—she gets to work. With a rake for an arm, a broom for a leg, and a boot from her dad, she helps Old Boney boogie once more! A heartwarming, rhyming tale of spooky fun, creative problem-solving, and the magic of kindness, Old Boney loves to Boogie will have readers tapping their toes and grinning from ear to ear.
The Wizard Family of Wizard Town by Stephen Gibling
The Wizard Family of Wizard Town, is a fun and magical story with a message. It’s aimed at children that may not understand how hurtful it can be to others when people are selfish. It shows that everyone should be treated with respect and that being nasty and selfish can be very hurtful and make others very sad. The fun characters in the story show us that no matter what, those that are selfish and nasty to others sometimes need help, and that being kind and nice is the best route. Being the fourth in a series of stories with a message, The Wizard Family of Wizard Town gives the reader an insight into how a slight change in behaviour will help everyone.
BeaWitched by Dotty
In BeaWitched by Hazel Leonard, follow the misadventures of Grunelda, the wicked witch who finds herself at the mercy of a mischievous young girl named Bea. When Grunelda’s attempt to scare Bea backfires, she ends up falling out of a window and into a wheelie bin, joining other witches who have met a similar fate. As Bea continues to outwit and outmagic the witches, Grunelda realizes that there is no rest for the wicked in this whimsical tale of Halloween hi-jinks. Join Grunelda and Bea on a hilarious and heartwarming journey that will leave you BeaWitched by Hazel Leonard’s enchanting storytelling.
Wanda the Witch and her Terrible Twitch by Emma Lonsdale and Kelly Martin
A brilliant witch with lots of ambition, Excels for her school in a ‘spell' competition, But an unfortunate ailment causes Wanda to falter, Would this jinx be enough to totally halt her? What could stand in the way of her super star spelling? Just wait and see - this story's compelling!
Whimsy and Mimsy by Jo Bowser-Angermann
Whimsy is a witch who doesn't fit in at all... she doesn't fit in because unlike all the other witches, she is allergic to cats! What type of witch doesn't have a black cat? Well, Whimsy might not have a little black cat but she does have a little black dog called Mimsy who is her best friend and who loves her for her. But all the other witches mock her. That is until they all realise the power a little black dog can have!
Middle Grade (8-12 yrs)
Thirteen Terrifying Tales by Terry Deary
Have you ever read a book that can save your life before? Of course you haven't! That makes this the most brilliant book in the world. Learn what happens to these wicked children so it doesn't happen to you.
Don't stand there in the bookshop reading this. Make sure you BUY it! And buy a copy for all of your friends. Save their lives too.
Caution. The stories are so sad you may find the tears trickling down your legs. No one ever died of that. (At least I haven't heard of it.) But have a packet of tissues handy to mop up the tears and read on. Learn and live. (Maybe). Good luck.
Home Run Horror by L. Rizzi
Joey expected a typical summer—baseball games, goofing around with his best friend Alex, and avoiding Derek, the team’s smug “star.” But everything changes the day he discovers a glowing baseball bat in a creepy old barn-turned-antique shop. Strange symbols pulse beneath the tape, shadows twitch in the corners, and Joey can’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—is watching him.
With Alex and his homemade ghost?hunting gadgets, Joey starts digging into the bat’s mysterious past. But when it appears in his bedroom later that night, glowing brighter than before, he realises this is no ordinary summer adventure.
Funny, spooky, and packed with twists, Joey’s once?ordinary holiday becomes a heart?pounding mystery where nothing is quite what it seems… and danger might be hiding in plain sight.
Count Fatula by Dominika Golab
Dracula Junior, a charmingly distinctive vampire, will accompany you on a delightful voyage of self-discovery and acceptance. Dracula Junior, born into a renowned vampire family, struggles to fit into his bloodsucking ancestry while being loyal to himself. He discovers that it is not looks that count, but the ties we build and the adventures we have, thanks to the enchantment of friendship and the power of imagination. In a world full of surprises, this delightful story promotes variety, self-acceptance, and the joy of being different.
26 October, 2026