Looking for Halloween read-alouds?
We've got you covered!
From spooky to silly, these read-alouds will have your students engaged and learning. And who knows, you might just learn something new yourself! So grab a pumpkin spice latte, cozy up with your class, and enjoy our list of our favorite Halloween read-alouds.
1. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Preschool to Second Grade
Room on the Broom is probably one of the most beloved Halloween read-alouds. It is a delightful story about a witch and her animal friends. As the witch is flying along on her broom one evening, she keeps losing her personal items - first her hat, then her bow, and finally, her wand! Fortunately, three helpful animals find her items and return them to her in exchange for a seat on her broomstick.
Will there be enough room on the broom for them all? And will the witch's generosity pay off when she runs into some trouble with a hungry dragon? Students will enjoy this classic Halloween story about friendship, inclusivity, and teamwork.
TeacherGoals Tips
2. Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat by Bill Cotter
Preschool to Kindergarten
Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat is a Halloween sequel to the original book. Don't Push the Button! is a hilarious story about a little monster who is trying his best to resist the temptation to push a big red button. In this Halloween twist, the button he is trying to avoid pushing this time is actually the doorbell of a very scary-looking house.
Kids will be roaring with laughter and excitement while reading this interactive book! Between ringing the doorbell, opening the door, and yelling "BOO!" at monsters, author Bill Cotter does an excellent job of transporting his young readers right into the story.
TeacherGoals Tips
This book is ideal for preschool and kindergarten students, who will get some big laughs from this silly book!
3.) Peter O'Meter by Tricia Fuglestad
Pre-K to 3rd Grade
Get ready to switch on some fun with Peter O'Meter, just in time for Halloween! 🤖 This delightful read is sure to spark curiosity with it's engaging AR features from QuiverVision and a story that’s perfect for young minds and machines alike. Plus, Peter makes a great inspiration for a robot costume—talk about dressing to impress!
Book comes with lessons on social-emotional learning, self-discovery, and what to do when your buttons get pushed.
TeacherGoals Tips
Craft PETER's robot head and complete the look with an augmented reality T-SHIRT that springs to life with the Quiver app, echoing the book's 3D wonders.
Also, head here to unlock all the amazing bonuses and resources that come with Peter O'Meter!
Dive into Peter's gear-tastic world and explore the interactive site, where you’ll find animated robots, whimsical flying machines, and the imaginative architecture that Tricia Fuglestad has crafted for this augmented reality adventure.
4. Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
Preschool to Third Grade
Meet Crankenstein! He's a little monster of crankiness that no one can destroy. Sure, he might look like any ordinary boy when it comes to his appearance, but there is always something about him that makes you want to turn on your heel and walk away from whatever may be bothering or challenging you at the time--whether its rain outside, melting popsicle in the fridge (or worse), early bedtime forced upon an unwilling participant...you get my drift!
This is a great story to talk about attitudes about situations kids have to deal with. Very funny and silly, yet it definitely has a great message of making the most of moments and working through situations. In the end, a friendship may begin.
Crankenstein teaches us an important lesson, though: no matter how cranky we might get sometimes, there is always a way to turn that frown upside down.
TeacherGoals Tips
5. There's a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
Kindergarten to Second Grade
Ready for some cuddles? The lovable little fellow in this interactive read-aloud is ready too! UH OH! there's a monster at the end . . shake and wiggle till he surfaces from under his covers.
There's a Monster in Your Book is the perfect read-aloud for the youngest of listeners, who will be delighted to discover that they hold power to control the monster in their book.
TeacherGoals Tips
This book is a simple but fun read-aloud that is interactive and engaging for kids.
This read-aloud is perfect for:
After reading, ask your students if they have ever felt like there was a monster in their book (or life). What did they do to make it go away?
Also, when reading this book to your students, have them take turns shaking the book and making noises along with you as the monster comes out from under the covers.
6. Monsters Have Manners by Jeff Kubiak
Pre-K to Fifth Grade
As the season of spooks and spectacles approaches, introduce a twist with Monsters Have Manners. This engaging read-aloud intertwines the thrill of monsters with lessons in etiquette.
While students revel in the Halloween vibe, they'll inadvertently learn about the significance of kindness and courtesy. The monsters in Kubiak's world aren't just out for scares – they're here to teach!
A fun-filled way to embrace the Halloween spirit while emphasizing the importance of manners. Perfect for young learners navigating the world of please, thank you, and Halloween trick-or-treating!
TeacherGoals Tips
Once you have grabbed your copy of Monsters Have Manners, make sure to download the FREE accompanying activity book here.
What's Inside the activity book?
Ensure you have Monsters Have Manners and pair it up with this FREE digital activity book.
Trust us, it'll be a monstrously good time!
7. The Last Train on Halloween by Eve Bunting
Kindergarten to Fourth Grade
The Last Train on Halloween is a hilarious story about a group of friends who miss the last train home on Halloween night. They end up having to spend the night in a haunted house, where they encounter all sorts of spooky creatures.
TeacherGoals Tips
This read-aloud is perfect for:
Your students will love this hilarious story, and you'll have a blast reading it aloud with all the different character voices and sound effects.
8. Halloween is Coming! by Cal Everett
Preschool to Third Grade
Halloween is Coming! is a fun and exciting read-aloud for teachers to use in their classrooms in the days leading up to Halloween. The book celebrates the build-up to the spookiest night of the year and includes fun rhymes and illustrations that will engage students.
Teachers can use Halloween is Coming! as a way to get their students excited for Halloween. The book is filled with fun rhymes and vibrant illustrations to capture students' attention. Additionally, the simple story will help students understand what Halloween is all about.
TeacherGoals Tips
This book is a great conversation starter and can lead to some meaningful conversations with your students! Since this story explores all sorts of different Halloween traditions, students can have an opportunity to talk or write about some of their own favorite Halloween traditions. Here are a few ideas for prompts to get them started:
These question prompts can be asked in isolation at the end of the story or all throughout while reading.
9. Creepy Pair of Underwear! by Aaron Reynolds
Preschool to Third Grade
Another one of our favorite Halloween read-alouds is Creepy Pair of Underwear! By Aaron Reynolds. This is a story about a rabbit named Jasper who is not afraid of the dark and is definitely not afraid of something as silly as underwear. However, when the lights go out, he realizes that his new big rabbit underwear glows in the dark. A ghoulish, greenish glow. If Jasper didn't know any better, he'd say his undies were a little, well, creepy. Jasper's not scared; obviously, he's just done with creepy underwear. But after trying everything to get rid of them, they keep coming back!
This book would be a good read-aloud for teachers to use in their classrooms because it is funny and suspenseful. The characters are easy to relate to, and the storyline is engaging. Additionally, the illustrations are humorous and help to move the story along.
TeacherGoals Tips
10. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Preschool to Third Grade
Another book in the Creepy Tales! Series, this book also follows Jasper Rabbit as he fears that his favorite treat - carrots - are out to get him! Jasper loves carrots so much that he eats them all the time. On the way to school, going to Little League, going home…. But then, one day, the carrots start following him! Or…do they?
Soon, Jasper starts hearing and seeing carrots sneaking up on him everywhere he goes. But when he turns around, there's nothing there! Poor Jasper is going crazy at the thought of carrots following him, so he hatches a plan to end his carrot problems. Will Jasper's plan to get the carrots off his back be successful? Or was it all in his imagination all along? Students will be on the edge of their seats to find out!
TeacherGoals Tips
11. Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell
Preschool to Third Grade
Pumpkin Jack follows a boy named Tim, who carves his first pumpkin and names it, Jack. When the pumpkin starts rotting after Halloween is over, Tim sets Jack out in the garden and watches it change over the weeks. The pumpkin gets flattered and flatter and begins to mold. But then, when spring comes around - a plant begins growing where the pumpkin once sat!
Author Will Hubbell's beautiful story of a rotting pumpkin perfectly illustrates new beginnings and the cycle of life. Your students will love this story and be fascinated by the real-world application and lessons to be learned from it.
TeacherGoals Tips
This is an excellent book to pair with a science lesson!
12. The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by J. Elizabeth Mills
Preschool to Kindergarten
A Halloween twist on the classic rhyme, The Spooky Wheels on the Bus takes children on an exciting haunted Halloween bus ride! This book is perfect for young students who love to sing along with The Wheels on the Bus.
This book also sneaks in some counting practice with verses counting up from "one spooky bus" all the way to "ten goofy ghosts." Kids will be eager to turn each page and see what Halloween surprises await them!
TeacherGoals Tips
The Spooky Wheels on the Bus is ideal for early learners in preschool or kindergarten.
Bonus Activity
Need more activities for this Halloween? How about inclusive pumpkin decorating?
While traditional pumpkin decorating contests sparkle with festivity and yield stunning displays, it's pivotal to keep inclusivity in mind this Halloween season. Some families may find procuring the right supplies a challenge.
Here's a fresh take, an idea brought to us by Kristina Holzweiss from the Canva Librarians and Teachers Facebook Group: Why not let students draft their pumpkin designs on paper using just colored pencils, crayons, and markers?
This approach is not only friendly on the pocket but also eco-conscious.
For our tech-savvy learners, the world of digital design awaits on platforms like Canva. And, to add an interactive spin, Kristina suggests having students record videos accompanying their designs using tools like Flip or Canva and embedding QR codes for a truly engaging classroom experience.
To facilitate this, we're sharing templates crafted by Kristina herself:
- Canva Template
- Google Docs Template
What are your favorite Halloween read-alouds? Share in the comments.
Click here to check out our Amazon Idea List and purchase all these great read-alouds for your classroom. Happy Halloween!
Want ideas for more read-alouds? Check out these:
- 5 Great Read-Alouds for St. Patrick's Day!
- 5 Classroom Community Books to Help Create a Supportive Environment for Your Students
- 10 Social-Emotional Learning Books for Children
- Top 30 Christmas Read-Alouds For The Elementary Classroom
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