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The sweets and scares of Halloween are fast approaching, and there's no better way to get ready than curling up under the blankets with your children to read some of the GeekMoms' favorite Halloween-themed picture books. Here are ten of our top picks for this spooky season.
The Blue-Nosed Witch by Margaret Embry
Kay Moore wholeheartedly expressed her love for Blanche and her adventures in The Blue-Nosed Witch. "Let's go read it NOW!! [The book is about] a misfit young witch who learns how to have fun by accidentally going trick or treating with some children."
Bone Soup by Cambia Evans
Andrea loves Halloween books with classic themes that are a little scary. She finds Bone Soup just perfect for the holiday. The story follows Finnigan the Eater on Halloween night, looking in a new town for something to fill his empty tummy...
Boo Bunny! by Kathryn P. Galbraith, Illustrated by Jeff Mack
Kelly finds the simple sentences and bold illustrations in Boo Bunny! make it the perfect introduction to a spooky Halloween night for toddlers and young preschoolers. The darkness looms over one young bunny on Halloween, but when he finds a friend to trick-or-treat with, suddenly the night doesn't seem so scary.
Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kahara
The eye-catching orange, black, and white pages of Ghosts in the House! make it one of Amy's favorite Halloween books. "I defy you to walk out of the bookstore without it once you’ve seen the gorgeous woodblock illustrations and you’ve read the story of a little witch who moves into a haunted house, only to throw the ghosts in the washing machine and repurpose them as linen-based home needs."
The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
Andrea recommends The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey. "I could read it to my guys TODAY and they'd fall off their chairs laughing, still," she said. The story follows little dachshund Oscar, who overcomes his embarrassment to become a hero on Halloween night.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, Illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Kathy shared The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything as one of her recommendations for young kids making their first forays into scary stories. Written in 1986, Kathy mentions in her GeekDad post that this book is "...funny and scary at the same time, a wonderful combination."
Scary Godmother by Jill Thompson
Grade school children will enjoy the Halloween adventures of Hannah Marie in the magical graphic novel Scary Godmother, one of Corrina's picks for a haunted fairy tale.
Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Kelly's daughter, who loves all things pink and girly, quickly embraced the quirky little vampire starring in Vampirina Ballerina. The story reads as a how-to for overcoming challenges to obtain your dreams of becoming a ballerina, even if you are a vampire. GeekMom Kelly loves the little jokes hidden in the delightfully detailed illustrations that dance across the pages.
What's in the Witch's Kitchen? By Nick Sharratt
A lift-the-flap book with not one, but two pictures hiding under each flap, What's in the Witch's Kitchen? is an innovative and hilarious book for young readers. Kelly's daughter never gets tired of looking under each flap to reveal the sweet and spooky images underneath. Be forewarned, though, that some of the flaps hide a little bit of potty humor, which might make you cringe and your kiddos cackle.
The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg
The Widow's Broom is another beautifully illustrated tale endorsed by Andrea. When a witch's broom falls from the sky into the hands of a lonely widow, magic enters her life – but will it be a boon or a curse?
Be sure to check out more recommendations for Halloween picture books from GeekMom Amy, and share your favorites with us in the comments below.
