5 Kids’ Books About Zombies

Peanut Butter & Brains: A Zombie Culinary Tale, by Joe McGee
A sweet zombie named Reginald is the only zombie in town who’s bored with eating brains and wants all the peanut butter and jelly he can find. Determined to show the rest of his pals that there are more things to life than just eating brains, this book will also encourage kids to try new things. There are also beautiful watercolor illustrations and yes, I used the word “beautiful” to describe zombies. Even younger kids will love this book, so don’t write it off for your preschooler. (Ages 4-8)

Zombie in Love, by Kelly DiPucchio
An undead romance perfect for your young ones, DiPucchio’s tale of Mortimer, a zombie looking for love, is both heartwarming and hilarious. The story unfolds with Mortimer trying all of his romantic tricks to land a girl, like gifting them with a still-beating heart, only to find that living girls are not so interested in dating the undead. After placing an ad, Mortimer finally falls in love with Mildred, a zombie girl. This story is guaranteed to make your kids chuckle and say “EW” all at the same time. What more could you want from a book about zombies? (Ages 4-8)

My Big Fat Zombie Goldfish, by Mo O’Hara
This hilarious series about two brothers who are constantly butting heads while dealing with an undead goldfish intent on revenge is a great choice for chapter book readers. After Tom’s older brother kills Tom’s goldfish with his new science kit, Tom decides to zap the fish back to life with a battery—not the best decision. (Ages 7-10)

Plants vs. Zombies, by Paul Tobin and Ron Chan
A delightful series based off of the wildly popular video game, Plants vs. Zombies is a silly look into the world of the undead. With plants as the heroes of this saga and a fun character named Crazy Dave, you don’t have to worry about nightmares developing. If your kids are interested in the video game, this is an excellent way to get them excited about reading, too! (Ages 8-12)

Zombie Baseball Beatdown, by Paolo Bacigalupi
For your middle schooler, Zombie Baseball Beatdown is a funny novel with underlying social commentary that can get a conversation going at the (brains-free) dinner table. With themes on illegal immigrants and factory farming, this story about two boys running into a zombie from the town’s meatpacking plant is dark, but will keep your kids interested and engaged. They also might end up sleeping with a baseball bat in their hands, but hey, we’ve all been there. The story will also appeal to their compassionate sides, and make them question previously-held ideas and beliefs. (Ages 8-12)
What zombie-themed children’s books have you enjoyed?