Inside: Not all children’s books about monsters and other frightening creatures are scary — and these are some of our favorite ones to turn the tables on your kids’ fears. Check it out!
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The Best Children’s Books About Monsters — the Friendly Kind, of Course!
I kind of hate Halloween. Every year as my friends eagerly plan their kids’ costumes – and sometimes, even their own – I groan inwardly and secretly count the days until November 1st. Maybe my parents scarred me for life when they dressed me, at three, in a yellow pillow case, slapped a pink bow on my head, and called me Ms. Pac-Man (35 years later, my mom insists on defending this costume).
Or maybe it’s the simple fact that Halloween in Miami, when temperatures are near ninety and the humidity is thick enough to wear its own witch’s hat, is anything but fun when dragging two sweaty little boys by the hands for blocks and blocks and blocks.
Children’s books about monsters, ghouls and ghosts are so much better than the REAL Halloween!
Halloween inevitably goes something like this:
Part one: Halloween Ecstasy! My boys toddle from house to house with their friends and cousins, ring doorbells, shout with glee when they get a pack of “NNMs” and try to stealthily eat all of their candy as they traipse down one walkway and up the next. But then we come to…
Part two: Damage Control — that moment when the curtain falls on Halloween and the chocolate smeared all over their faces turns muddy as crocodile tears fall from their no longer sparkling eyes. The kids dash back down a walkway, their capes, glasses and other essential costume parts catapulted in a million different directions, screaming their heads off because the last house gave them – gasp! – an organic pack of raisins and a container of Oral-B dental floss. And when they finally calm down, one has to pee and the other wants water, and I’m calculating the time it will take to finish the street, get back in the car, drive home, and get them bathed. Then, of course, we come to…
Part three: Bedtime. And, you guessed it. The joke is most definitely on me.
Though I pride myself on creativity, my boys’ Halloween costumes have been sorely unoriginal. I’m hardly a Pinterest perfect “Spooktacular Snack” maker, and I’m definitely not one who decorates the outside of my house with a scary landscape sure to make the neighborhood kids scream. I do carve a mean pumpkin, though. And when my kids are excited because their friends are excited and they want nothing more than to get into the Halloween spirit, there is one thing I do enjoy– and I enjoy it tremendously.
What’s that, you ask?
We read children’s books about monsters — and turn the tables on all things scary!
I break out all of our spooky-but-definitely-not-scary books, where monsters and witches and ghosts creep across the pages and make my kids squeal with their deliciously monstrous fun. Though the following children’s books about monsters and other characters we typically think are “scary,” each story will surprise your family with valuable lessons about creativity, friendship, and empathy. These messages are significant all year round, not just during Halloween season! Without further ado, here are our favorite books about monsters, witches, ghost, and other ghouls. Enjoy!
RELATED: Looking for more of our favorite stories? Check out our awesome lists of all the best children’s books!
Our favorite children’s books about monsters, witches and ghosts – oh my!
Hardly Haunted, by Jessie Sima: Uh oh. House has a little bit of a problem. She squeaks. She creaks. She groans. Could she be – gulp! – haunted? Poor house simply wants to find a perfect family to settle within her walls, but will she ever find the right ones? Can she turn a haunted house into a haunted home? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Vampenguin, by Lucy Ruth Cummins: Baby Dracula can’t wait to visit the zoo with his family, but when he gets there, he has a lot of trouble staying with his family. Instead, he makes his way into the penguin house, and what results is an adorable case of adventure and mistaken identity! Will Dracula’s family realize they have the wrong kiddo? And will they go home with the right one?! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Monster Trouble!, by Lane Fredrickson and illustrated by Michael Robertson: Poor Winifred Schnitzel can’t seem to get rid of the neighborhood monsters that creep into her room at night and desperately try to scare her silly. Can she make them go away with a kiss? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green: What happens when you come face to face with a scary ghost? Make sure to grab this book if you want to have the essential tips handy, because some ghosts may simply need a friend. If you are sweet and warm and kind, I suggest you be on the lookout because a ghost may find you soon!
Gustavo, the Shy Ghost, by Flavia Z. Drago: Poor Gustavo has such a hard time making friends, and all he wants is for the other monsters to see him for who he is. He decides to hold a concert on the Day of the Dead, so all of the other ghouls and goblins will hopefully notice him doing what he loves best- making music. But WILL they truly see him when he puts himself out there and accept Gustavo for who he really is? In this fun and whimsical ode to the Day of the Dead, Gustavo’s bravery and willingness to put himself out there in an effort to make new friends truly shine! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Crankenstein, by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Dan Santat: Even the sweetest kids become Crankensteins, from dusk till dawn, in rain, in heat and – most certainly – when standing in long, long lines. Beware the cantankerous Crankenstein! We also love Crankenstein, Trick or Treat. These books are such fun! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Vampirina Ballerina, by Anne Marie Pace and LeUyen Pham: A young ballerina struggles to fit in when she can only take dance class at night and fights urges to take nibbles out of her fellow dancers. Will the delicate vampire become the prima ballerina she desires? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Creepy Carrots!, by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Peter Brown:Jasper rabbit loves carrots, especially the ones that grow in Crackenhopper field. He can never get enough of them, but will his greed become his undoing as the carrots begin to haunt him? Make sure to also check out the second tale about Jasper, one of our new family favorites— Creepy Pair of Underwear! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
How to Scare a Ghost, by Jean Reagan and illustrated by Lee Wildish: This Halloween, you are guaranteed to be the one doing the scaring, not those daunting ghosts! Read this book for the ultimate list of tips to frighten your ghouls— and then have some fun with them too. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Quit Calling Me a Monster!, by Jory John and illustrated by Bob Shea:Even monsters try to buck stereotypes. Poor Floyd Peterson wants nothing more than to tell his readers that not all monsters are bad, even though they have fangs and crazy hair and clompy feet. Didn’t you know that monsters have feelings too? Won’t you just give him a chance? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Leo: A Ghost Story, by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Christian Robinson:A little ghost’s attempts to welcome the new family in his home are sorely misunderstood. Leo gathers he is unwanted and decides to leave. He meets a new pal on his journey, and using his wits, Leo teaches others that he is more friend than foe. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
I Need My Monster, by Amanda Noll, illustrated by Howard McWilliam:When Gabe, the monster that lives under Ethan’s bed, goes on a fishing trip and won’t be back for a week, Ethan knows he’s got no chance of falling asleep without Gabe’s familiar breathing in his room. Ethan takes it upon himself to interview creatures that might hide under his bed temporarily, but will they be scary enough to do the job? Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Bone Soup, by Cambria Evans: Finnigan the skeleton is known for being greedy and having an insatiable appetite. When he arrives in a town replete with witches and ghouls, not a creature in site will share their food with him. How will he entice them to give him some grub? Stir up a magical bone soup, of course. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Bonaparte Falls Apart, by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Will Terry: Oh, sweet Bonaparte! The skeleton’s bones seems to fall apart more than they stick together, making it awfully hard for him to get a hold of himself and make new friends. Luckily, with the help of pals Franky Stein and Mummicula, Bonaparte finds a way to keep himself in one piece. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Boo Who?, by Ben Clanton: It’s hard being the new kid in town, especially when that new kid is a ghost who has trouble playing games with the other neighborhood creatures. But even the ghost on the block can find a way to play, and he just might find that his greatest deficits are also his biggest strengths. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
The Monsters’ Monster, by Patrick McDonnell: What do you do when your mean, mean monster always seems to remember his manners? Take him up on his offer to share a warm jelly doughnut! Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
My Teacher Is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.), by Peter Brown: Bobby has the worst teacher in the world, and she is, most definitely, a monster. But when he runs into Ms. Kirby at the park and a fierce wind blows away her hat, a turn of events helps Bobby realize that Ms. Kirby may have more bark than bite. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Room on the Broom, by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler: A generous witch makes room for helpful animals on her broom until the broom is so heavy, it breaks. When a dragon comes for the witch, all the little animals join together to scare the dragon away. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein, by Lynn Fulton: This is a fascinating picture book biography about the woman who created Frankenstein, a monstrous figment of her imagination that has lived on for more than 200 years. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Monster and Boy, by Hannah Barnaby and illustrated by Anoosha Syed: I can’t tell you much I love this chapter book. This is the story of a monster (who lives under a bed) and a boy (who sleeps in the bed), and what happens when the two meet for the very first time. The boy screams, of course, so the monster swallows him… and thus, an incredible, beautiful friendship is born. I love the pitch perfect and FUN narration. I love the constant nods to the reader and the way the narrator continually talks to the audience and thus “breaks the fourth wall” (which is so unique for this age group). I love the humor, wit and irreverence. And I am SO beyond excited that this is the first book in a SERIES. Support independent bookstores and get the book on Bookshop.org right here!
Happy Reading!
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