6 Gentle Halloween Reads for Scaredy Cat Readers

Boo-La-La Witch Spa, by Samantha Berger and Isabel Roxas
Much like Santa on Christmas, if you’re a witch, Halloween is the busiest day of the year. So what’s a tired and overworked witch to do after all of that work? Why they head to the Fa-boo Witch Spa, darling! Treatments include a “Broom Bristle Facial.” Black cats welcome. Now this is my kind of Halloween story! Fa-boo-lous!

Monster Trucks, by Anika Denise and Nate Wragg
This is a fantastic read for Halloween (or really any time for budding truck aficionados!) that is just the right amount of spooky. You’ll encounter creative characters like Zombie Truck, who’s “cranky and mean” and Vampire Truck, who “waits for his victims and drinks down their fuel!” Who will win this fast-paced Monster Truck race? You’ll be surprised to find out!

If You’re Spooky and You Know It, by Aly Fronis and Jannie Ho
Who doesn’t like a book that can turn into an impromptu dance party? If you child is familiar with the “If You’re Happy and You Know It” song then they’re sure to love this Halloween twist on an old classic. New verses include: “If you’re sneaky and you know it nod your head” and “If you’re wicked and you know it stomp your feet.” Your little monster will be snapping and clapping and nodding and stomping all the way through.

The Runaway Pumpkin, by Kevin Lewis and S.D. Schindler
What would you do if you found the biggest pumpkin you’d ever seen on top of a hill on Halloween? Well siblings Buck, Billy, and Lil Baxter decide to cut it from the “twisty twirly vine”, and mayhem ensues as that runaway pumpkin is “thumpin and bumpin” all the way down. Now try saying that ten times fast! This is a fun book to read aloud with your little pumpkin.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything, by Linda Williams
I love the idea of a book about a little old lady who isn’t afraid of anything. (Life goals!) When this little old lady is walking through the woods alone at night, she comes across some things that would definitely give anyone a fright (a pair of old shoes that walk by themselves, for one), but this brave lady isn’t deterred. “Get out of my way… I’m not afraid of you.” Words to live by!

Ghost in the House: A Lift-the-Flap Book, by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Adam Record
Ghosts can be scary, but in this delightful read they’re the ones who end up spooked! A perfect choice for those who want to read a story with mummies, witches, and monsters, but would rather end on a chuckle than a scream.
What gentle halloween reads do your littles enjoy?