Happy Halloween!

 

 

 

I hope you find some great books to read for the spooky season this weekend!!

 

(I have one on my TBR list I can't wait to finish.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Grumpy Ghost Upstairs review

 

A grumpy little ghost makes a new friend in this wryly funny, spooky-but-cute picture book with striking illustrations reminiscent of Brian Selznick.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

A shy ghost is happy with his solitary life in the attic of an old house.  It is quiet, dark and the best place to do his swooping whenever he likes.  But when a curious little girl comes up into his space, it makes him grumpy and he tries to scare her off.  When she doesn't easily scare, he comes up with a plan he knows will surely keep her away.  

 

This is a nice story about getting out of your comfort zone and facing your shyness.  It has short and easy text making it a quick and simple read. The illustrations are hand-drawn in charcoal pencil gray and white with just hints of a muted color here and there.  They set the perfect tone for a dark attic full of mysterious items with a ghost lurking about.  The attic ghost only wanted to be left alone but discovers having a new friend wasn't as bad as it seemed.  It might stir up some good conversation about feelings, being shy and making new friends and how the ghost liked to be alone which is just fine too. This sweet story could be used anytime of the year and not just for the Halloween season.  I think this is a "just right" book for ages 4-7.~

 

Title: The Grumpy Ghost

Author: Mamiko Shiotani

Pub. date: August 2025, Floris Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 36 pgs. 

 

 

Little Boo review

 

When the antics of their little sibling start to get to Big Boo, they decide to trade for a friend's younger sibling, Little Howl. (goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

At first having a little sibling was a lot of fun.  Little Boo was a sweet and adorable baby and his brother Big Boo were the best of friends.  But things changed when Little Boo began to move around and float.  He seemed to get into everything which annoyed Big Boo making his life unbearable.  One afternoon they go to the library together and Big Boo notices his friend Howl's well behaved little brother.  When Howl offers to trade each others sibling, Big Boo jumps on board immediately! At first it is a great idea but soon Big Boo realizes maybe Little Boo wasn't so bad after all.

 

Here is a cute story to add to the Halloween season shelves about older and younger sibling relationships. It has a humorous take on being careful for what you wish for.  The text is simple but the illustrations add extra with text bubbles throughout. There are many different details to look for on each page that are funny such as; a cinnamon ghost crunch cereal box, witch's hat lamp, reading books the bat in the hat or the very hungry werewolf that will have kids giggling.  The illustrations are in muted Halloween colors and expressively captures the frustration Big Boo is feeling.  In the end, we learn that the grass isn't always greener on the other side.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title: Little Boo

Author: Maddie Frost

Pub. date: July 2025, Clarion Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

Little Boo review

The leaves fall, the wind blows, and one little pumpkin seed tries and tries to be scary. But he doesn’t scare anyone . . . not the snowflakes in winter, not the bees in spring, not even the watering can! The wind tells him to be patient—he’ll be scary soon enough. But waiting is hard. Will the little seed ever be really, truly be scary?(goodreads summary)


A tiny little seed is determined to scare everyone around him. But when he says "boo" nobody seems to be scared. The wind tells him it is not quite his time yet and that he needs to have patience. After a long winters sleep, he awakens in the spring ready to get back to scaring but learns that having patience may just be a good thing after all.  

This is a cute and charming story that would be a fun read-aloud for your fall season celebrating.   The text flows nicely and the illustrations are bold and colorful. It also touches briefly through its pictures the life cycle of a seed, to a plant and then into a pumpkin that little ones will easily understand. It would also make a wonderful classroom discussion and project book trying to grow a plant from a pumpkin seed themselves. With a heart-warming ending, the little seed will show kids that waiting to grow up can be hard but with a little patience you may just grow into something spectacular. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Little Boo
Author: Stephen Wunderli
Pub. Date: August 2014, Henry Holt and Co.
Genre: picture book
Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Little Witch's To-Do List review

 

 Little Witch is very busy from morning to night—good thing she has a to-do list!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

This is a cute and whimsical story about a little witch who has a very busy day!  Her to-do list is just the thing she needs to help her accomplish all the tasks that need to get done by the end of the day.  Just to name a few on her list; she fluffs her cobweb bed,  practices magic wand skills, trains her stubborn owl and does yoga with her black cat.  The short rhyming text is delightful as a read aloud and the colorful illustrations are in pretty Halloween hues.  In the end, she conjures sweet dream magic and gets a special bedtime moment.  Kids will enjoy this fun take on all things witchy. This would also be a wonderful Halloween bedtime story to help wind down from a busy day!  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Little Witch's To-Do List

Author: Helen Kemp Zax, illustrated by Kiersten Eve Eagan

Pub. date: July 2025, Harry N. Abrams

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs. 

 

Witch Cat review

 

With illustrations by the award-winning Laura Hughes, this charming, delightfully rhyming story about finding where you belong is perfect for Halloween!(goodreads summary)

 

 

  

Pippin has always wondered if there was more to life than being a witch's cat.  Could he be a pirate's cat?  Maybe he could try being a pet cat?  But when Pippin decides to set off to find answers to his questions, he learns that something is missing and just doesn't feel quite right. 

 

Get ready for Halloween with this fun and delightful story about a cat looking for something different to do with his life other than being a witch's cat.  It is a sweet and simple story about finding where you belong.  The rhyming text flows nicely and the bold illustrations makes this a great read aloud. Kids will have fun seeing the various adventures Pippin goes on while trying to determine which life suits him best.  There is plenty of humor to make the little ones giggle as well.  Nothing seems right for Pippin until he sees something that reminds him of home. It is then that he realizes where he truly is meant to be.  This is the perfect story for the Halloween season and will be a favorite for all.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-6.~

 

Title:  Witch's Cat

Author: Lucy Rowland, illustrated by Laura Hughes

Pub. date:  July 2025, Bloomsbury

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom review

 

 The perfect Halloween read-aloud!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

When the little Witch realizes that her broom is missing, she looks everywhere to find it!  As she searches around with her cat Gloom, she tries various other things to replace it such as; a scooter, a bike, a digger and a plane.  But each one is not the same as her beloved broom.  

 

This is a wonderful addition to the Halloween reading season.  The rhyming text flows easily making this a fun read aloud to a large or small group.  Kids will find humor in the illustrations as she tries the numerous modes of transportation. But if they look closely, they will spot her broom hiding in various places throughout the pages.  It has a surprise ending when the witch interacts with readers asking them if they know where her broom is.  Stories that include reader participation will keep them giggling and engaged and this book does just that.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-6.~

 

Title: The Little Witch Who Lost Her Broom

Author: Elaine Bickell, illustrated by Raymond McGrath

Pub. date: April 2019, Scholastic

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

Feeling Boo review

 

Feeling Boo, a charming and supportive picture book that reminds readers it’s ok to feel a little boo.(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ollie and Ellie have been best friends for hundreds of years. They love to float at midnight together and even play in a band.  But one night when Ollie wakes up feeling blue, Ellie tries everything to help him feel better by doing all his favorite things.  But nothing seems to cheer him up and Ellie doesn't know what else to do.

We have all had days like this. Waking up and feeling out of sorts and down just like Ollie. This book shows that it is okay to have those feelings and sometimes the best thing to do for someone else is to just sit quietly and be with them.  There are good days and there are bad days but having someone by your side can be comforting.  Older kids will find humor in the many puns and the illustrations are in Halloween colors with plenty to look at.  To help kids understand their own feelings or the feelings of someone else, this is a gentle story about having empathy and friendship.  Being still for a while just might be what you need to make those blues go away.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7.~

Title:  Feeling Boo

Author: Alex Boniello & April Lavalle

Illustrated by: Olivia Chin Mueller

Pub. date: August 2024, Harry N. Abrams

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Little Ghost Makes a Friend review

 

A shy ghost learns the secret to making friends is being his spooky, sparkly self in this charming debut picture book that’s perfect for fans of Stumpkin .(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

It is almost Halloween and here is a fun story to get everyone into the spirit.  A little ghost wants to meet the people of his neighborhood but is too shy.  When a little girl moves in next door, he wants to make friends but is afraid to speak to her.  So he decides a Halloween party is the best way he can get to know her and invites her over to his creaky old house.  As he prepares for the party,  he realizes that finding the best costume to impress her with is harder than he thought.

 

This is a cute friendship story perfect for the autumn season.  With determination, little ghost overcomes his fear to invite his new neighbor to his house for a party.  When she accepts, he eagerly gets ready but can't decide which costume he should wear.  It was cute when he ended up wearing a little bit of everything.  He has normal worries about things such as; will she like his costume, will she have fun or maybe not even show up?  He finds that he is not alone in his shyness when Anya tells him she gets scared to meet new friends too.  It turns out to be a wonderful party and Anya even introduces him to more friends when they go trick or treating.  In the end he learns that you can make friends by just being yourself.  The illustrations are in eye pleasing soft Halloween colors and the text is simple.  It is a sweet story about overcoming shyness and to add to the Halloween shelves.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

 

Title:  Little Ghost Makes a Friend

Author: Maggie Edkins Willis

Pub. date: July 2024, Simon & Schuster

Genre: Halloween, picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

Boo the Library Ghost review

 

Boo the ghost spends his days haunting the local library and scaring everyone away. But little Poppy thinks she may know why Boo is acting so scary, and she knows just how to fix it!(goodreads summary)

 

 

Here is a cute story about a ghost who haunts a library and loves to scare all the children away!  Except a girl named Poppy who loves reading so much that she refuses to leave.  Boo tries harder to scare her away by pushing over chairs and knocking over books.  But Poppy is not intimidated and realizes that Boo might not know how to read.  At first, Boo resists when Poppy wants to teach him but soon realizes how much fun a new friend and reading can be.  The rhythmic text flows nicely for reading aloud to a large or small group.  Illustrations are colorful and watching Boo go from naughty to sweet and helpful in the end makes him more likable.  It is a fun story for the Halloween season or anytime of the year showing the love of reading and libraries.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-7.~

Title:  Boo the Library Ghost

Author: Becky Paige

Pub. date: July 2024, Silver Dolphin Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boo Crew Needs You! review

Trouble's come to Monster Town, and emergencies abound! There's no time to wait around... get the Boo Crew!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Monster Town is in trouble and the Boo Crew is needed to help save the Monster Ball.  But they need extra help and are asking readers to join in on this fun interactive book for the Halloween season.  By giving action prompts such as; press, shout, push, tap, clap or turn the book, kids will delight in feeling as if they are helping the Boo Crew clean up the messy town to save the Monster Ball.  The text is simple and the busy illustrations are in bold Halloween hues.  There are many different ghosts and goblins but they are friendly and will get you into the Halloween spirit.   In the end the Monster Ball goes on as planned and kids will feel proud they helped save the day. This story makes for a quick movement activity and a little fun for the Halloween celebrations.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-5.~

Title: The Boo Crew Needs You!

Author: Vicky Fang

Pub. date: August 2023, Sourcebooks

Genre: picture book, halloween

Hardcover, 40 pgs.

Witch & Wombat review

 

Every witch will want a wombat after reading this humorous picture book perfect for little readers who want a new pet!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

Wilma the Witch is finally getting a new cat.  Every Witch needs one and she is looking forward to all the things they will do together.  But when the pet store runs out of cats, Wilma ends up with a wombat instead.  She decides she will make her wombat become more cat-like.  After several mishaps, Wilma gets frustrated and wishes her wombat away.  After feeling terrible about this, she searches for him and finds that wombats have a uniqueness of their very own.  

This is a great story about accepting differences and that everyone is unique in their own way.  Kids will find humor in the story and illustrations but also learn the importance of being true to yourself.  You cannot make others be who you want them to be. Wilma realizes this when she sees how wombat was trying very hard learning to be a cat just to please her.  It is a funny book but most of all has a terrific message.  Throughout we learn facts about wombats and what a special animal they are. A great Halloween time story to add to your bookshelf that kids might pick up all year long as well.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 5-7.~

Title: Witch & Wombat

Author: Ashley Belote

Pub. date: July 2023, Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre: picture book, halloween

Hardcover, 32 pgs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big Shark, Little Shark and the Spooky Cave review

 

Just in time for Halloween comes a spooky, funny early reader starring Big Shark and Little Shark!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

Big Shark is scared by the spooky cave but not Little Shark.  When brave Little Shark enters the cave, Big Shark decides to follow.  The pair find a few exciting things in there with a fun twist at the end.   With large print and easy words, early readers will find this a fun book to read on their own.  With picture clues and rhyming text children will be able to figure out what comes next.  Big Shark realizes that the spooky cave is not as spooky as he thought.  It has a surprise for him at the end making this a fun Halloween read! Be sure to try the other Big Shark, Little Shark Step into Reading books too.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 4-6.~

Title:  Big Shark, Little Shark and the Spooky Cave

Author:  Anna Membrino

Pub date: July 2021, Random House Books for Young Readers

Genre:  early reader

Hardcover, 32 pgs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Little Ghost who was a Quilt review

 

 When you're a quilt instead of a sheet, being a ghost is hard!(goodreads summary)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a quilt ghost has its challenges and in this story our sweet character learns that it is ok to be different and it might give you a special outcome you didn't expect.  He doesn't know why he is a quilt ghost since his family and friends are sheet ghosts.  It is hard for him to fly around because he is too heavy to lift off.  The little quilt ghost feels sad and doesn't like being different.  When his favorite holiday Halloween arrives, he plans on draping himself over a chair on a porch putting him right in the center of the action during trick-or-treat.  But something unexpected happens that helps him embrace who he is .  

This was a sweet story about the importance of being yourself and finding a place where you fit.  The pencil illustrations are drawn in black and white but there were touches of color such as the blue hues of the patchwork quilt or bits of orange scattered on various pages adding subtle color.  It is a cute read for the Halloween season.  The story could also prompt discussion about feeling different and how to overcome  such feelings.  It offers a nice message about accepting who you are and that each one of us has a unique purpose.  We just need to have the strength to find it and believe in it.  

 

Title:  The Little Ghost who was a Quilt

Author:  Riel Nason, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler

Pub. date:  September 2020, Tundra Books

Genre: picture book

Hardcover, 32 pgs.  

How to Scare a Ghost review

Who says ghosts get to have all the fun on Halloween?  But in order to scare a ghost, you might have to find one first. (goodreads summary)








There are many things you can do if you want to scare a ghost but first you need to find one.  Once you found your ghost you have to make sure it is a real ghost.   This cute and simple how-to book will be a fun read at those upcoming Halloween gatherings and help get kids into the holiday spirit.  The illustrations are large and colorful with many things to look at on each page. It will keep kids engaged as they have fun pointing out and talking about the various things they see.  It is a whimsical read aloud or read alone book with happy smiling characters throughout.   Eventually, instead of scaring the ghost the two friends make friends with it and teach it about getting ready for a special event.  In the end it lets the reader know that they should say trick-or-treat and thank you which I liked.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title:  How to Scare a Ghost
Author: Jean Reagan, illustrated by Lee Wildish
Pub. date:  August 2018, Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
genre: picture book
hardcover, 32 pgs

Haunting Stories for the Older Kids

We cannot leave out the middle grade and young adult readers out there who love a good book to curl up with on a cold Halloween weekend. Here are just a few that I enjoyed and found spooky enough that will add to the chill.  This is just a tidbit of a description; but you can click on the link to find my full reviews.

Happy Halloween......................




A Curious Tale of the In-Between is one of those stories that will leave you with that spooky feeling. Eleven year old Pram has the unique ability to see and talk to ghosts. Her aunts feel she needs to be among other children her own age and decide to send her to school. She meets a boy named Clarence who takes her to a spiritualist with the hope of helping her find answers to questions they both have about past people in their lives; unaware the Lady Savant has some strange plans of her own. This was a fast-paced middle grade read by a wonderful author. I found myself not wanting to put it down. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 11 (mature 11) and up.~

Title: A Curious Tale of the In-Between
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Pub. Date: September 2015, Bloomsbury USA





The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall will give kids spine tingling shivers. It had many exciting thrills for such a short story and I enjoyed this classic styled ghost tale. The words and characters had a wonderful 19th Century English feel to it and I loved the many references of classic book titles and authors.  When Florence encounters Sophia's ghost, it is evident that she was not only nasty in life but it carried over to her afterlife with a vengeance. I know that I really enjoyed this book a while back and think it is a "just right book" for ages 10 and up.~

Title:  The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall
Author: Mary Hahn Downing
Pub. Date: September 2010, Clarion Books




Cryer's Cross was a very unusual story with many eerie elements to it. The main character was a teenage girl named Kendall who had OCD, a best friend who wasn't sure if he was a boyfriend, a new guy that was hard to connect to, the mystery of missing teenagers, a little bit of romance, adults with secret pasts and some supernatural elements. It had a lot packed into this fast paced, easy-to-read book. I found myself reading it in one day because I was determined to find out what was with the creepy desk? I have been meaning to find some other books by this author to read.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 14 and up.~

Title: Cryer's Cross
Author: Lisa McMann
Pub. Date:  February 2011, Simon Pulse





I thought the cover of The Revenant was very striking and definitely caught my eye. I was glad that I found it because it turned out to be a really good book.  This was a simple but chilling historical ghost story that was filled with mystery, murder, plenty of secrets, romance and of course, suspense. It had many twists and turns that were unexpected. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was pleasantly surprised by another outcome. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 15 and up.~

Title:  The Revenant
Author: Sonia Gensler
Pub. Date:  June 2011, Knopf Books




Imaginary Girls was another beautiful cover but I had a tough time getting into this one. Once I started reading more, I then realized that it was turning out better than I first thought. I picked up on the beautiful writing talents of the author and ended up surprisingly captivated by this supernatural story after all. I found myself eager to read into the next chapter to see what was going to happen. I was glad that I gave it a chance before abandoning it.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 16 and up.~

Title: Imaginary Girls
Author: Nova Ren Suma
Pub. Date: June 2011, Dutton Juvenile

Halloween Fun Reading!

I cannot believe it is already October and this weekend Halloween is fast approaching. To help get everyone into the Halloween Spirit before trick-or-treating, here are a few fun books to share that will get you started for that evening of Witches Brew and Things that go Bump in the Night!

Happy Halloween....................




Seven orange pumpkins are counting down to Halloween with the help of a scarecrow, a mummy, a witch, a couple of skeletons and a spooky large spider. This is a cute rhyming board book with lots of bright Halloween colors. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 2-4.~

Title: Seven Orange Pumpkins
Author: Stephen Savage
Pub. Date: August 2015, Dial Books





I think Otter stories and his adventures are just the cutest! Here is another great one to add to the Otter lovers out there. Halloween is the best time of year but also the busiest getting everything ready. There are pumpkins to find and costumes to make but when the trick-or-treaters arrive, they are a bit too scary for him. So Otter Keeper comes up with a solution so Otter and his friends can get back to having fun.  I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-5.~

Title: Otter Loves Halloween
Author: Sam Garton
Pub. Date: July 2015, Balzer & Bray





A friendly witch rides her broomstick cheerfully around the forest with her cat. Along the way, she looses several items and one-by-one are found and returned by several new animal friends. Each one asks if they can have a ride on her broom. Their adventure takes a turn as the broomstick snaps and the witch is confronted by a hungry dragon after tumbling to the ground. The rhyming text flows nicely making for an easy read-aloud.  The illustrations are colorful and with so many characters, each one could be read in different voices adding to the entertaining storyline.  It also depicts kindness and friendship with friends helping other friends in need. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3 - 7.~

Title: Room on the Broom
Author: Julia Donaldson
Pub. Date: August 2003, Puffin Books




As told from Hercules' perspective, this cute and charming story is a wonderful tale not only about the planting process but also learning to have patience as well. With the wisdom and guidance from his new friend Daisy, he finds it takes awhile for good things to grow and learns ways to pass the time. The watercolor illustrations are gentle and eye pleasing. There is so much to see on each page as Hercules' seed grows into something special for the new school year.  This is a fun story and I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Ready for Pumpkins
Author: Kate Duke
Pub. Date: August 2012, Knopf Books




A tiny little seed is determined to scare everyone around him. But when he says "boo" nobody seems to be scared. The wind tells him it is not quite his time yet and that he needs to have patience.  This is a cute and charming story that would be a fun read-aloud for your fall season celebrating.   The text flows nicely and the illustrations are bold and colorful. It also touches briefly through its pictures the life cycle of a seed, to a plant and then into a pumpkin that little ones will easily understand.

Title: Little Boo
Author: Stephen Wunderli
Pub. Date: August 2014, Henry Holt





Farmer Brown does not like Halloween. So he puts out a bowl of candy with a Do Not Disturb sign, draws his shades and locks the door. But in the Barn, the animals are getting ready for a Halloween party. Somebody taps a note on his door and when he goes to investigate, finds that he ends up becoming part of the party anyway. Just like the other books in this series, the story gives many giggles when the animals personalities come to life in Farmer Brown's barn. I think this is a "just right book" for ages 3-7.~

Title: Click, Clack, Boo
Author: Doreen Cronin
Pub. Date: August 2013, Antheneum Books