Holidays provide great reasons to introduce new books to your child. For the kid who hasn't shown much interest in books or reading, the excitement of Halloween may be enough to lure him or her to the page. It's easy to stock up on Halloween books online or at your local bookstore, but don't forget about the library.
The doors to a child's imagination can open up in the pages of a picture book. Some kids will get lost for hours in gorgeous illustrations regardless of the story. It's so fun to let kids make up their own tales based on beautiful pictures. And good pictures can foster a desire for books that later grows into a love of reading and learning.
The following picture books are a perfect way to add a little scare to a child's Halloween and to entertain adults as well. You'll want to read these to a child every Halloween.
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Too Many Pumpkins
By Linda White, Megan Lloyd (Illustrator)
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Rebecca Estelle, having survived on various pumpkin dishes during her poor childhood, hates them so much that when a pumpkin accidentally falls into her yard, she shovels dirt over it so she won't have to see or think about it again. In spite of all her efforts to the contrary, she is "rewarded" with a yard full of bright orange globes the following fall. Not willing to let the windfall go to waste, she once again prepares the dishes she detested as a child, carves jack-o-lanterns from the remaining pile, and then thoroughly enjoys the fellowship of her neighbors lured by the glow of the mischievous carvings. And, of course, Rebecca Estelle saves seeds for next year's planting.
Room on the Broom
by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator)
The witch and her cat are happily flying through the sky on a broomstick when the wind picks up and blows away the witch's hat, then her bow, and then her wand! Luckily, three helpful animals find the missing items, and all they want in return is a ride on the broom. But is there room on the broom for so many friends? And when disaster strikes, will they be able to save the witch from a hungry dragon?
A witch finds room on her broom for all the animals that ask for a ride, and they repay her kindness by rescuing her from a dragon.
Big Pumpkin
By Erica Silverman, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator)
The witch has grown the biggest pumpkin ever, and now she wants to make herself a pumpkin pie for Halloween. But the pumpkin is so big she can't get it off the vine.
It's so big the ghost can't move it, either. Neither can the vampire, nor the mummy. It looks as if there'll be no pumpkin pie for Halloween, until along comes the bat with an idea to save the day.
How can the tiny bat succeed where bigger and strong spooky creatures have failed? You'll be surprised!
The Witch Next Door and Other Stories
by Norman Bridwell, (Illustrator)
Meet the wonderful witch who lives next door. She's a great neighbor and a LOT of fun. Everything she does will surprise you!
Inside this book are four stories about the friendly witch and her friends:
The Witch Next Door
The Witch Grows Up
The Witch Goes to School
The Witch's Vacation
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
by Joe Troiano , Susan Banta (Illustrator)
Spookley was different. He was odd,
he was rare.
Spookley the pumpkin wasn't round-
he was...square!
A very unique pumpkin delivers a special message of tolerance and self-acceptance that's just right for Halloween...and every day of the year.
