W is almost 15 months old and absolutely loves reading stories with me.
He’ll pick up a copy of I Love You Forever, waddle over to me, shove the book in my face and demand, “Bu!”
I am thrilled with W’s recent obsession with books. As a former Kindergarten teacher, there’s nothing I like better than a good read aloud.
Although W insists upon reading the same books (e.g. Go, Dog, Go! Sammy the Seal, He Bear, She Bear) over and over and over again, I like to sneak in a few new ones when I can.
Halloween is almost here, so I made it my mission to share my favorite “scary stories” with W. I’ll admit these stories are the not the scariest, but I guarantee the kids will love them!
Don’t forget to check out Fun Halloween Songs for Kids and more on my Fun page.
Scary Stories for Kids
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What Was I Scared Of? by Dr. Seuss
Who wouldn’t be afraid of a pair of spooky, pale, green pants with nobody inside?? This is my all-time favorite scary story for kids. Your kids will love the rhyming and the twist at the end.
The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain
W’s favorite bears go on a spooky adventure. Will they ever make it back home to Mama Bear? Follow the bears as they explore the spooky, old tree.
The Teeny-Tiny Woman by Paul Galdone
This scary story has a humorous ending that the kids will love. You could even have your children write/tell their own “Teeny-tiny” story.
In the Haunted House by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh
This story takes you through a haunted house. It’s funny to see who gets scared at the end of the story. W enjoys the lift-the-flap version at his Grammy’s house.
Five Little Pumpkins by Dan Yaccarino
This story is not very scary, but it’s W’s favorite by far. You can find the song and video at Fun Halloween Songs for Kids.
Goodnight Goon: A Petrifying Parody by Michael Rex
Goodnight Goon is a parody of the classic book Goodnight Moon. You will seriously laugh your way through this book and your kids will love it too. When I taught Kindergarten, this book served as a great tool for teaching comparing and contrasting.
The Berenstain Bears Trick or Treat by Stan & Jan Berenstain
The bears are back causing mischief again! I like this story because, like all Berenstain Bear books, it teaches a lesson at the end. Appearances can be deceiving.
Scary, Scary Halloween by Eve Bunting
Here’s another Eve Bunting book that is the perfect choice to read on Halloween. I remember reading this book as a little girl. The pictures are fantastic. This is another book with a “twist” at the end.
Do you have a favorite scary story? Let me know what it is in the comment section below!
These are great! I only have a couple of these, good suggestions to add to the holiday book bin!
Twitchetts- Thank you! I’m glad you stopped by!
We have a few of those books. My kids have moved on to chapter books now, though.
Robin- Oh! There are some good scary books for older kids too. I loved Goosebumps as a kid and Scary Stories to Read in the Dark.
This list is fantastic!!!! Gunna have to read a bunch of these to my princess ❤❤❤
Courtney- Thank you! I hope your daughter likes the books.
Love those pants with nobody inside them. You are never sure whether you should be laughing or quaking with that book!
Mary Kay- That’s my favorite! It’s scary & funny!
I love children’s books & enjoyed your list. I use to like reading this one: “The Gobble-us’ll Git You Ef You Don’t Watch Out” (James Whitcomb Riley’s Little Orphant Annie)
Please let your readers know about my fun book gift set giveaway: http://xoxograndma.blogspot.com/2014/10/tickle-monster-giveaway-costume.html
Thanks.
Joy Candrian recently posted…Tickle Monster – a GIVEAWAY, Costume Tutorial & Free Pattern
Joy- I don’t know that one! I’m going to look it up. We are always looking for new books to add to the collection. Thank you!
This is awesome! I was looking for some fun Halloween books for our daughter, but didn’t want anything too scary or that would cause nightmares. These are great suggestions – I think I’m going to order that Dr. Seuss one and maybe some others!!
Debi recently posted…Samuel
Debi- Yes, these books aren’t too scary for the little ones! The Dr. Seuss book is the best. It has a great ending.
Ooh! I love What was I Scared of? and Goodnight Goon. We also have another really fun book to read around Halloween. It’s called “Inside a House that is Haunted”. Tedd Arnold is the illustrator and we just love him. It’s a really fun book. Great suggestions! I can’t wait to head over to the library and get a couple of the books you recommended. Thanks!
Nicole recently posted…Equal Exchange Coffee
Nicole- I’m going to have to check out your suggestion. I always like finding new books. Thanks for the recommendation!
We have a few of these books and others on the list are new to me. Thank you for sharing this great resource! Love it.
Theresa (Capri + 3) recently posted…Snowman Invitation to Bathe
Theresa- Thank you for your comment and stopping by!
Some great stories here. I love the Bernstein Bears. I haven’t read the Eve Bunting ones though. I took a class from her once so I always like to read her books.
Melissa Matters recently posted…Hold on Tight
Melissa- The Berenstain Bears were always my favorite growing up! That’s so cool you took a class from Eve Bunting.
There is always a Dr. Suess story in there somewhere! We used to read that one to our kids..
Kungphoo- Yes! I love all the Dr. Seuss books.
Love the tradition of Halloween stories!
Bethany recently posted…St. Augustine, Fl Trip Review
Bethany- Thank you!
Cute! Sadly, I have older bonus kids that are TRYING to scare the heck out of me with stories these days.
WendyKate recently posted…Your Monday Quickie * Follow The Yellow Brick Road, Witches
WendyKate- Oh no! I’m sure the day will come when my son is the one scaring me! Thanks for your comment.
Goodnight goon! So cute! I’ll have to check some of these out when the boys are a little older. Lately they’re scared of everything so I’m staying away from even the illusion of scary, but these seem so cute!!!
Rachael Boley recently posted…How To Bake Halloween Cookies With Your Kids Like A Boss
Rachael- Well, The 5 Little Pumpkins isn’t that scary, so they might like that one. They can watch the youtube video to see if they like it. My son is too little to be scared of anything at the moment, but I know they all go through that stage. Thanks for your comment.
The Berenstain Bears used to be my favorite as a kid! Right now we have Five Little Pumpkins-but I would love to get my hands on Goodnight Goon!! That’s sounds awesome!
Tarynn Playle recently posted…My Little Personalities
Tarynn- Same here! I love the Berenstain Bears. Goodnight Goon is really cute. My students couldn’t get enough of that book, and either can my son. Thanks for the comment.
Great lists of cute story books for toddler 😀
Juliana RW recently posted…Healty Holiday treats – ends 11/11
Juliana- Thank you!
My favorite is By the Light of the Halloween moon by Caroline Stutson. Thanks so much for this post! You remind me that I need to pull out the Halloween books! It’s fun to read certain books only during each holiday–makes them special. I’ll look into your selections to add to our collection!
Josie- Thank you so much for your suggestion. I’m going to have to check it out for my son. I love finding out about new books.
The only one not already in my collection is Goodnight Goon. That one sounds cute too; must add it!
Liz Mays recently posted…My Neighborhood Food Drive: #ShareAMeal with Project Sunlight
Liz- Thanks for the comment. I love Goodnight Goon!
My daughter loves scary stories- she’s a bit older for these, so we read the goosebumps and other books along those lines.
Jaime Nicole recently posted…Five shows I am watching on Netflix
Jaime- Yes, there are some great books for older kids too! I loved Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Read in the Dark.
We read InTheHaunted House to Jane 5 times yesterday… I’m going to have to mix in the pants, I forgot about them! We also have a book called The Curious Case of the Contrary Cat, which we LOVE to read aloud! It’s not too scary, mostly funny.
Melissa- haha, Yes, I had to read Goodnight Goon about 5 times today too. I’m going to have to borrow The Curious Case of the Contrary Cat. I don’t know that one!
I love Dr Seuss books
Ourfamilyworld recently posted…What’s Your Biggest Distraction While Driving With The Kids?
OurFamilyWorld- Same here! Dr. Seuss books are the best. Thanks for stopping by!
Very cool list of awesome reads! I need to share this with my SIL for my nieces and nephews 🙂
Dawn @ Pin-n-Tell recently posted…Halloween Music for Pumpkin Carving
Dawn- Thanks! I hope your nieces and nephews like the stories.
Aww…so cute that ‘bu’ your kid says. My daughter does the same. She loves books too. I love this collection of books you made for Halloween 🙂
Jaya Pandey recently posted…Tips for creating memorable family Halloween images
Jaya- Yes, they have their little sounds for words. It’s very cute! Thank you for commenting and checking out my site.
I don’t have a favorite scary story for kids, but that Goodnight Goon (parody)…I’m going to have to check that one out!
Yona Williams recently posted…10 Hand-Painted Gift Ideas from Sharon’s Custom Artwork
Yona- It’s a great story! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
These are all good books! It’s so great that he loves being read to! It’s never too soon to start a love of reading or books. 🙂
Carly Anderson recently posted…Capsule Wardrobe Fall 2014
Carly- That’s what I think. Get him started early! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
I had to laugh because we read the Teeny Tiny Woman last night. My son really enjoyed it.
Danielle- haha, It’s a funny book, isn’t it? Thanks for commenting and stopping by!
I remember Berenstein Bears Trick or Treat from when I was little! I’ll have to try to find it to share with my daughter!
Emma recently posted…Must-Try Candy Science Experiments
Emma- Yes, I love those Berenstain Bears! Thanks for commenting and stopping by!
These stories sound so fun for young ones! I’m sure my daughter would enjoy some of these small books!
Debi@TheSpringMount6Pack recently posted…Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Debi- Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I hope your daughter enjoys them.
Reading is so important from birth! I work at a library and I love seeing the little ones pick out their books!
Maggie recently posted…Halloween Week at our house!
These sounds like some spookylicious books to read in time for the Halloween. We don’t have these books, but the only one we have is a book called “Happy Halloween”, and it is about a dog and stuff. The kids love it when I read it to them because I always put some dramatic effects when reading the book. My little girl used to hide behind me every time I read it. So hilarious! Anyway, thanks for sharing.
Adin Blankenship recently posted…Family Time: Mother Nature’s (Inedible) Cotton Candy- Cattail
Sigh… my kids are older now but when they were younger they loved the Five Little Pumpkins and The Berenstain Bears. I did not realize there was a book called Goodnight Ghoul, and may have to buy it, as Goodnight Moon was definitely a favorite book with all my kids. Have a great week!
Tamara recently posted…Excuses For Not Blogging For 3 Weeks
Great book list. I’ll have to pick up a few of these to read with my kids.
Heather (@thedomesticdiva) recently posted…Lots of Ways to Save on Holiday Shopping with Walmart
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