13 Children's Halloween Books for Kids in Grades K-2

I have an ever-growing collection of children’s Halloween books for elementary-age kids. As a mom of three daughters, I never expected to be so entrenched in Halloween—but my girls love the holiday with an unrivaled passion.

Since my kids love the holiday so much, I keep an eye out for the best Halloween picture books and Halloween chapter books all year long.

The only caveat is that my girls don’t really like being scared. Ergo, we tend to stick to the not-so-scary Halloween books, especially during the early elementary school years.

I put together this reading list of not-very-scary Halloween picture books and Halloween chapter books for kids in elementary school. They’re about as non-scary as you can get!

With one exception, everything on this book list was published in 2018 and I’ve broken it down by grade level, so you can pick what’s best for your kids.

Happy reading!

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Here’s your reading list of children’s Halloween books for elementary school kids.

Children’s Halloween Books for Elementary Kids

Halloween Picture Books for Kids in Kindergarten:

The Little Kitten by Nicola Killen

This is such a sweet and charming story from the author of The Little Reindeer. When Ollie goes outside to play with her cat, Pumpkin, the two of them find a lost little kitten. Ollie helps the kitten find his way home but loses Pumpkin in the process. Thankfully, Pumpkin knows how to find Ollie again. With foil-stamped illustrations and die-cut pages, this book is destined to become a Halloween favorite for any kid who loves feeling warm and fuzzy inside.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2G6bG2W”]Amazon[/button]

Skulls by Blair Thornburgh, illustrated by Scott Campbell

Learn all about skulls with this fun and informative picture book! A little girl introduces readers to their skull and shows them all the cool things a skull can do (like eat grilled cheese sandwiches). She shows kids that skulls are awesome and not something to be afraid of. If you want an educational book that’s also a blast to read, pick up this one.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/3i0iAnL”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781534414006″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Spencer’s New Pet by Jessie Sima

I took this book to my daughter’s class for storytime and the kids loved it! It’s an almost wordless picture book about a boy and his new balloon pet. They have fun adventures together, but balloons are always in danger of popping. Readers will be surprised by the twists and turns this story takes. With the feel of an old black and white film, this picture book is perfect for reading at Halloween!

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2FPLAlf”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781534418776″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Bone Soup: A Spooky, Tasty Tale by Alyssa Satin Capucilli, illustrated by Tom Knight

A spooky twist on the classic tale ‘Stone Soup’, this adorable Halloween picture book is perfect for kids in kindergarten through second grade. When three little witches find their cupboards empty except for a bone, they convince their neighborhood ghouls to contribute ingredients to make bone soup.

Download a free story hour kit from the author’s website!

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2xPXZgX”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781481486088″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Monster Magic by LaZOO

This wipe-off monster activity book makes Halloween fun and exciting for elementary-aged kids. Each page features a challenge, story, or starter art that children can complete and then wipe off for endless fun. Adorably spooky, Monster Magic makes a great addition to your child’s collection of Halloween picture books.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2IiZtVP”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9784056210422″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Dia de Los Muertos by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jorge Gutierrez

Okay, so Dia de los Muertos is obviously not about Halloween, BUT the Mexican holiday starts on October 31 and offers a not-so-scary alternative to Halloween. This board book contains a lot of informative text, making it a great book for kindergarteners. If you want to mix things up this fall, snag this fantastic book about the Day of the Dead and read it to your child.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2QmRSs3″]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781534415157″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Halloween Children’s Books for Kids in First Grade:

Vampirina at the Beach by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Kids that like the animated series on Disney Junior will love reading the book as well. This follow-up to Vampirina Ballerina is about a not-so-scary night at the beach. The monsters go surfing, snorkeling, and build sandcastles. With gorgeous illustrations and an unusual twist on the “day at the beach” story, this picture book is perfect for kids who like Halloween and Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/3wGmUDe”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781484773420″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Halloween Good Night by Rebecca Grabill, illustrated by Ella Okstad

This sweet Halloween book is written in rollicking rhyme and counts up to ten and back down again—with monsters of course! It reminds me of Little Goblins Ten and it’s a fantastic Halloween story for young children that want something not-very-scary. This picture book would also work well with kindergarteners.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2OeqHlL”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781481450614″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Julia Sarda

We can’t talk about Halloween stories for kids published in 2018 without mentioning this book. This is a picture book biography of Mary Shelley, the woman who wrote the story of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster. Her story has become one of Halloween’s most beloved and enduring legends.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2R32fm4″]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781770495593″]Bookshop.org[/button]

How to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish

The latest book in the adorable “How To” series is all about Halloween! In this delightfully spooky how-to guide, kids will explore traditions, ideas, games, and learn how to scare a ghost on the creepiest holiday of the year.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2P62UBF”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9780593301890″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Halloween Chapter Books For Kids in Second Grade (and Above):

Beep and Bob: Take Us To Your Sugar by Jonathan Roth

An outer space elementary school, a quest to save Halloween, an alien invasion, and lots and lots of candy make this early chapter book a Halloween must-read! With lots of black and white pictures and a funny, action-packed story, second-grade kids will love it. Mine sure did.

Download a free Beep and Bob activity kit!

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2QuUWT9″]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781481488587″]Bookshop.org[/button]

Megabat by Anna Humphrey, illustrated by Kass Reich

While this book isn’t technically about Halloween, it features a talking fruit bat, new friendships, and a hilarious pigeon. With fun illustrations and big, easy-to-read text, this is a fantastic book for elementary kids in the mood for a not-very-scary chapter book.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2Iwb1oB”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9780735266957″]Bookshop.org[/button]

The Happy and Heinous Halloween of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee and Matthew J. Gilbert, illustrated by Joelle Dreidemy

The unluckiest classroom gets more tricks than treats during Halloween. When the students magically transform into their costumes, things get weird. And funny. If your kid likes to laugh, then snag this hilarious book from your public library next time you’re there.

[button url=”https://amzn.to/2QqH641″]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9780316501156″]Bookshop.org[/button]

13 Children’s Halloween Books for Kids in Grades K-2

Children’s Halloween Books for Elementary Kids