The best way to wait for Halloween is obviously with picture books and fun arts and crafts! Check out our Halloween-related book round up featuring all of your favorite characters, monsters, and ghouls—good ones and scary ones alike!

 

Written by Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
978-1-56145-465-5

A boy’s dread of things that go bump in the night fills his head with monstrous thoughts. So when he is separated from his older brothers on Halloween night and finds himself alone on Monster Street, he fears the worst! Lightning flashes. Bats flap overhead. Doors squeak open. Hairy arms and tentacles drop spiders into his sack. The boy is relieved when he finally meets up with another trick-or-treater. That is, until his new friend removes his mask…

 

Written by Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
978-1-56145-216-3

What do you dread eating the most? For the hero of this story, it’s peas. A young boy thinks he’s discovered a way to avoid eating his peas—he makes a bargain with a fiendishly funny monster. First the deal is simple: the monster will eat the boy’s peas in exchange for his soccer ball. But with each new encounter, the monster’s demands escalate. Eventually, our hero faces a daunting decision—can he conquer his loathing for peas or will he lose his most prized possession?

 

Written by Danny Schnitzlein
Illustrated by Bill Mayer
978-1-56145-420-4
A math-phobic boy faces another dreaded evening of multiplication when a monster suddenly appears in his room and offers him a deal he cannot refuse. After a quick signature on a contract, the boy’s problems are solved, and his homework is ready to turn in the next day. At first, everything adds up perfectly. But when the boy’s math knowledge is tested at school, his troubles begin to multiply. What did the fine print on that contract read?

 

Written by Kevin Shortsleeve
Illustrated by Michael Austin
978-1-56145-146-3
Come along with Professor LeGrand as he warns readers about the outrageous habits and appalling behavior of thirteen mischievous monsters whom the creature teacher hopes the readers never have to meet. There’s the Scarce Sissyfoos, Mess Monsters, and the Hedge-Standing Snit, just to name a few!

 

Written and illustrated by Richard Keep
978-1-56145-322-1

At dusk on the holiday known as Day of the Dead, a Mexican family has set out fiesta offerings in the graveyard in hopes that departed loved ones may return to visit. Graveyard skeletons shake, rattle, and roll in this spirited Day of the Dead celebration.

 

Written and illustrated by Kevin Luthardt
978-1-56145-706-9
When Edgar’s family moves to a new town, everything seems strange and scary. The kids look different. They dress weird. They listen to bizarre music. They eat strange food. And the biggest, weirdest looking kid keeps staring at Edgar. What does he want? As Edgar soon learns, sometimes you have to rise above your fears to make a new friend. And sometimes that friend may be the last person – or alien – you’d expect.

 

Written by Bill Harley
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
978-1-56145-808-0
Charlie and Tommy have big plans for Halloween. They’re  going to trick-or-treat and sleep over at Alex’s house. But when Charlie finds out that the entertainment at the party will be the “Scariest Horror Movies Ever,” he is struck by panic. Charlie loves candy, he loves sleepovers with his friends, but he absolutely hates horror movies. Can Charlie face his fear of horror movies and enjoy Halloween?

 

Written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith
978-1-56145-895-0
Claude and Sir Bobblysock join a dance troupe and head to the theater to perform their act. But being backstage gives them the heebie-jeebies! It’s so dark and spooky…could the legend of the theater ghost be true?


Want to grab these spooky titles before All Hallows’ Eve? You can find them at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble. Feeling inspired by some of our titles and looking to include some fun crafts in your Halloween plans? 

Via www.babyrabies.com


 
We thought this Monster Wreath would be the perfect addition to any Halloween décor; Baby Rabies has a simple tutorial for you to follow.
 
 
 
 
Via craftsbyamanda.com



You could even create a paper monster for your own little monster to take on his or her trick-or-treating adventures! There are tons of ideas out there, but these examples from Crafts by Amanda look great for parents and children to do together!


Via growingupbilingual.com






Light the pathway to your door with these Glow in the Dark Lanterns to celebrate Día de los Muertos; you only need some glow-in-the-dark sticks, a black marker, some mason jars, and your creativity! Growing up Bilingual also gives more lantern ideas geared towards younger children, like using LED tea lights and plastic cups instead.