Looking for Halloween fun without the scary stuff? Pima County Libraries has rounded up a boo-tiful collection of “not-so-spooky” books that bring plenty of monsters, ghosts, goblins and Halloween magic without giving little readers nightmares. From silly animal adventures and baking mishaps to brave little girls and mischievous goblin twins, these stories are perfect for kids who love a little Halloween spirit with their giggles. Grab a cozy blanket, pick a book and settle in for some festive reading that’s more delightful than frightening!
Baby – 5
If Animals Trick-or-Treated by Ann Whitford Paul
If animals trick-or-treated… what would they do on Halloween night? Across the animal kingdom, every creature would celebrate Halloween in their own special way. With simple illustrations and rhyming text, this book explores what would happen if animals celebrated Halloween.
The Ghosts Went Floating by Kim Norman
Inspired by the children’s song “The Ants Went Marching” and involving early math concepts, writer Kim Norman and illustrator Jay Fleck’s The Ghosts Went Floating is a spooktacular adventure perfect for Halloween. Witches, werewolves, and other creatures celebrate Halloween in this illustrated rhyming book.
2 – 6 years
Monster Baker by Laura Lavoie
Tomorrow is Grandmonster’s 247th birthday, and Tillie has a boo-rilliant idea. She’s going to bake a birthday cake! But when Uncle Hairy gobbles up Tillie’s near-Pierrefect Squirmin’ Chocolate Cake, she rushes to bake another. In this punny picture book with bright and colorful illustrations an adorable monster learns about determination after a series of baking disasters.
Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow by Ryan T. Higgins
Bruce is a bear who does not like holidays, and he really doesn’t like Halloween. His family of mice and geese decides the only way to get Bruce excited about Halloween is to tell a scary story. But their campfire tale takes a turn when a ghostly visitor appears. Will Bruce get in the Halloween spirit? Or will the Halloween spirit get Bruce?
4 – 8 years
The Goblin Twins by Frances Cha
After moving from Korea to New York, Doki and his twin brother Kebi have been settling into their new home. Doki has so many new books to read! But Kebi hasn’t been adjusting as easily. He has no friends! And his pranks on New York City haven’t been working. It’s up to Doki to cheer his brother up and come up with pranks big enough to shock their New York City neighbors in this humorous and heartwarming story inspired by the Korean mythology of dokkaebi.
The Baddies by Julia Donaldson
Oh no! The Baddies are coming! They’re the meanest and nastiest ghost, witch, and troll in all the land, and they just love being bad. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But little girls are much braver than they thought, and baddies don’t always win.
