Spooky Stories: Children’s Halloween Books Up to Age 10
Halloween is the perfect time to curl up with a spooky story, whether it’s gently eerie for little ones or a spine-tingling tale for older readers. Here’s a handpicked selection of Halloween-themed books for children up to age 10, mixing much-loved classics with exciting reads for little monsters, witches and ghost hunters!
Ages 0–3
(Read-aloud and interactive books)
- Boo! – Leslie Patricelli
- Peekaboo Pumpkin – Camilla Reid, illustrated by Ingela P Arrhenius
- Where is Baby’s Pumpkin? – Karen Katz (lift-the-flap book)
- Five Little Pumpkins – illustrated by Dan Yaccarino (although other versions are available)
- If You’re a Monster and You Know It – Rebecca and Ed Emberley
- That’s Not My Bat – Fiona Watt and Rachel Wells (Usborne touchy-feely series)
- NEW FOR 2026 The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Halloween: A Lift-and-Find Book – Eric Carle. Join the Very Hungry Caterpillar and friends on a Halloween adventure in this interactive board book, with pages to lift and explore. Perfect for little ones discovering Halloween for the first time.
Ages 3–5
- Funnybones – Janet and Allan Ahlberg
- Pick a Pumpkin – Patricia Toht, illustrated by Jarvis
- Room on the Broom – Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
- Pumpkin Soup – Helen Cooper
- Meg and Mog – Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski
- We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt – Martha Mumford and Cherie Zamazing.
- There’s a Ghost in This House – Oliver Jeffers
- I Say Boo, You Say Hoo – John Kane
- Spookermarket – Peter Bently, illustrated by Steph Laberis
- NEW FOR 2026 The Haunted Playground – R. J. Palacio, illustrated by Brett Helquist
Ages 6–8
- Isadora Moon (series) – Harriet Muncaster
- The Witch’s Dog – Frank Rodgers
- Winnie the Witch – Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul
- Horrid Henry Ghosts and Ghouls – Francesca Simon
- NEW FOR 2026 Witchy Boo: Casts Her First Spell – Arden Jones, illustrated by Saoirse Lou
- NEW FOR 2026 Tiny Dogs: Pumpkin Trouble – Rose Lihou
Ages 9–10
- The Witches – Roald Dahl
- The Ghost of Thomas Kempe – Penelope Lively
- The Bewitching of Aveline Jones – Phil Hickes
- Coraline – Neil Gaiman
- Dial a Ghost – Eva Ibbotson
- The Great Ghost Rescue – Eva Ibbotson
Ages 11+
- The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood & Co.) – Jonathan Stroud
Remember, what’s fun-scary for one child may feel too frightening for another, so always choose stories that suit your child’s comfort level.
Please note: The age ranges above are only a guide. Every child’s reading ability and interests are different.
Book availability may vary, so check with your local bookshop or bookseller for current stock.
📚 Whether your child loves silly skeletons, magical witches or eerie mysteries, there’s something here to capture their imagination this Halloween. Happy haunting – and happy reading!
