Hallowe’en Books: 2020 edition!

As I said when I posted yesterday, I think this is a great year for some good, spooky reads. Take a dark, cozy, spooky day and tell some stories, read some stories, maybe choose a good eerie novel, even! But this list is mostly for picture books I’ve either reviewed in the past or have recently come out and I haven’t had a chance to review this year. It will be a list, not a Big Chonky Review, so have your indie book shop’s website or phone number handy, and get ready to impulse buy!

I’m going to start with a brief list of new books to try (I will note those I’ve read and those I haven’t yet had the chance to– sob!)

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago (I have NOT read this, but doesn’t it look great? Sold out at my shops already by the time I went to check!!!)

The Ghosts Go Marching by Claudia H. Boldt, a lovely sing-along board book for the youngest Hallowe’eners!

The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler, is a fun and funny, not-too-sweet-yet-charming story of being the odd ghost out on Hallowe’en.

Here are my previous reviews:

Screech! by Charis Cotter (collection of ghost stories)

And Then Comes Halloween, by Tom Brenner, illustrated by Holly Meade (picture book about choosing and making costumes, playing with identity)

The Witch Family, Eleanor Estes (fun and funny early novel, Grades 3-7, illustrations by Ardizzone!)

Ghosts in the House, Kazuno Kohara (picture book, I have it as a board book, seems mostly available as paperback now; very young level, beautifully limited and delightfully, sweetly, spooky)

Stumpkin by Lucy Ruth Cummins (very clever picture book, age 3+ I think, funny and poker-faced with a delightfully vintage feel)

Alfred’s Book of Monsters by Sam Streed (slightly older picture book, maybe ages 4 or 5+, delightfully Goreyesque in style)

The Little Kitten, Nicola Killen (picture book, enchantingly lovely and cute with just a hint of spookiness in a final twist– ages 2+)

How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green (a real family favourite, year-round. Ages 4+ picture book. So much heart and truth with leavenings of humour and macabre which never, EVER take from the love.)

Scary, Scary Halloween by Even Bunting, illustrated by Jan Brett (picture book, ages 3+, young and sweet)

Ten Timid Ghosts, by Jennifer O’Connell (young picture book; a simple counting book with a Hallowe’eny twist!)

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Sheffler (a truly classic book, available in many formats, toddler and up)

I Am a Witch’s Cat by Harriet Muncaster (more of a story-type picture book, ages 4 or 5+, a seemingly straightforward book of Hallowe’en imagination… until the end…)

Honestly, if you haven’t found something good in here? You’re picky, indeed! But hop to it– Hallowe’en is ELEVEN DAYS AWAY SO RUN TO YOUR SHOP! Or write to me in the comments or at deborah@childrensbookroom.com for help finding your indie book shop!