Ghouls, goblins, and ghosts. Oh, my! Halloween must be here once again. For months, my pint-sized ghoul has been practicing trick-or-treating around the house — “please” and “thank you” included — and dreaming up this year’s hair-raising costume.
But now that I’m a mom, my favorite part of the holiday isn’t just the night itself. Instead, it’s the weeks leading up to Halloween when I get to share everything the season has to offer with my little one. And what better way to share in the spooky fun than by spending time snuggled up together and diving into a few not-so-spooky Halloween tales?
Here are five of my favorite not-so-spooky Halloween stories for toddlers that strike the perfect balance between spooky and fun for your youngest of readers:
“Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson
From the creators of The Gruffalo, this Halloween classic has delighted little readers for over 20 years. Flip through the pages of this delightful, rhyming tale and learn the story of a friendly witch and her cat. When the wind blows the witch’s hat, bow, and even wand away, friendly forest animals are ready to lend a hand. What happens, though, when everyone wants a ride on the witch’s broom in exchange?
“Where’s My Mummy?” by Carolyn Crimi
In this spooky bedtime tale, all Little Baby Mummy wants to do is play one more game of hide-and-shriek before bed. But where could Big Momma Mummy be hiding?
Join Baby Mummy as he searches through the deep, dark woods and meets a noisy cast of Halloween haunts. When Baby Mummy gets a real fright during his search, he learns that, even when things seem scary, Momma Mummy will always be there to help.
“Vampirina Ballerina” by Anne Marie Pace
In this Halloween tale that inspired the hit Disney Junior show, meet Vampirina: a preschool-aged vampire who’s always dreamed of being a prima ballerina. Vampirina can’t help but notice, though, that she’s a bit different from the other dancers in her class. Read along as Vampirina learns anyone can be a ballerina, even if when they smile, you can spot their fangs.
“Spooky Pookie” by Sandra Boynton
Sandra Boynton’s board books have always been a staple in our house, and her Halloween tale, Spooky Pookie, does not disappoint. Join Pookie the Pig in this haunting tale as he tries to find the perfect costume to wear on Halloween night. But none of his costumes seem to be quite right. They are itchy, scratchy, or just too silly. Read along to discover which costume Pookie chooses and delight your tot with the heartwarming surprise ending.
“Clifford’s First Halloween” by Norman Bridwell
Who can resist the adorable red dog, Clifford? Certainly not me!
In this story, travel back to Clifford’s days as a little red puppy and join him and Emily Elizabeth on their very first Halloween adventure. Read along as the pair make spooky costumes, go trick-or-treating door-to-door, and even attend a Halloween party together. Young readers will learn that no matter how small you are, Halloween can still be full of fun!
Reading holiday-themed stories with my toddler has become one of our most cherished family traditions. I know the memories we make together as we cuddle close and sip warm apple cider over Halloween stories will last a lifetime.
If you’re ready to start making memories over Halloween stories too, check out these titles and many more at your local library.
