5 Diverse Picture Books for Halloween

The spooky season has arrived! Below is a list of 5 diverse picture books for Halloween to help you diversify your read alouds both at home and in the classroom. We hope you enjoy these slightly scary books and leave a comment below with any further book recommendations for our KidLitTV community to enjoy.

5 Diverse Picture Books for Halloween

BOO STEW

Curly Locks is a good-hearted girl, but she’s an awful cook. All the townspeople of Toadsuck Swamp know to steer clear of her culinary concoctions–like the batwing brownies and toad eye toffees. So when one of her dishes goes missin’ from her windowsill, word spreads like a kerosene fire about how the Scares have been terrorizin’ the town at mealtime. They shriek “Gitchey Boo, Gitchey Bon! Gitchey Goo, Gitchey Gone!” and send folk runnin’ from their dinner plates.

With everyone else tremblin’ and squawkin’ about the Scares, Curly Locks gets an inklin’. Can she use her smarts and unique talents to help corral those Scares for good?

Internationally known, award-winning storyteller Donna L. Washington uses her tremendous skill to breathe new life into the classic Goldilocks tale. Her clever, can-do protagonist and joyful language paired with Jeffrey Ebbeler’s charming, imaginative illustrations will tempt readers into a ghostly, yet enchanting landscape that they won’t want to leave!

BOO STEW by Donna L. Washington
Illustrated by Jeffrey Ebbeler
Published by Penguin RandomHouse/Peachtree Publishing Company

LOOKING FOR A JUMBIE

New York Times bestselling author Tracey Baptiste and acclaimed illustrator Amber Ren take readers on a fun, creepy, storytime-ready romp through a forest filled with creatures from Caribbean folklore.
I’m looking for a jumbie, I’m going to find a scary one.
But Mama says jumbies exist only in stories. So Naya sets out on a nighttime adventure to find out for herself.
No such thing, say the friends she makes along the way.
But Naya is sure that jumbies are real. Some have big mouths. Or thick fur. Or glowing skin. Or sharp teeth. Kind of like her new friends….
Looking for a Jumbie is a gentle, bouncy, and creepily fun read-aloud inspired by traditional Caribbean tales.

LOOKING FOR A JUMBIE Written by Tracey Baptiste
Illustrated by Amber Red
Published by Balzer & Bray/Harperteen

MONSTER TROUBLE

Nothing frightens Winifred Schnitzel–but she DOES need her sleep, and the neighborhood monsters WON’T let her be! Every night they sneak in, growling and belching and making a ruckus. Winifred constructs clever traps, but nothing stops these crafty creatures. What’s a girl to do? (Hint: Monsters HATE kisses!) The delightfully sweet ending will have every kid–and little monster–begging for an encore.

MONSTER TROUBLE by Lane Fredrickson
Illustrated by Michael Robertson
Published by Sterling Children’s Books

GUSTAVO, THE SHY GHOST

This winning debut picture book from Mexican artist Flavia Z. Drago about finding the courage to make friends is perfect for the spooky season — or anytime.

Gustavo is good at doing all sorts of ghostly things: walking through walls, making objects fly, and glowing in the dark. And he loves almost nothing more than playing beautiful music on his violin. But Gustavo is shy, and some things are harder for him to do, like getting in a line to buy eye scream or making friends with other monsters. Whenever he tries getting close to them, he realizes they just can’t see him. Now that the Day of the Dead is fast approaching, what can he do to make them notice him and to share with them something he loves? With fancifully detailed artwork and visual humor, debut picture-book creator Flavia Z. Drago’s vivid illustrations tell a sweet and gently offbeat story of loneliness, bravery, and friendship that is sure to be a treat for little ghouls and goblins everywhere.

GUSTAVO, THE SHY GHOST Written and Illustrated by Flavia Z. Drago
Published by Candlewick Press

LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN

Follow los monstruos and los esqueletos to the Halloween party in this bilingual poem written by Marisa Montes, with illustrations by award-winning author and illustrator Yuyi Morales.
Under October’s luna, full and bright, the monsters are throwing a ball in the Haunted Hall. Las brujas come on their broomsticks. Los muertos rise from their coffins to join in the fun. Los esqueletos rattle their bones as they dance through the door. And the scariest creatures of all aren’t even there yet!
This lively bilingual Halloween poem introduces young readers to a spooky array of Spanish words that will open their ojos to the chilling delights of the season

LOS GATOS BLACK ON HALLOWEEN by Marisa Montes
Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Published by Square Fish/ Macmillan Books

Bonus
KidLitTV Halloween Special

For the best viewing experience, make the window above Full Screen!

The KidLit TV Halloween Special with Margery Cuyler & Will Terry!

Read Out Loud: BONAPARTE FALLS APART & SKELETON FOR DINNER with Margery

Bethany Edwards is an elementary educator as well as a reading and literacy
specialist. On Biracial Bookworms, she focuses on multiracial and multicultural resources for teaching literacy skills using reading, travel, and learning multiple languages. Additionally, she offers online and self-paced courses for parents and caregivers on Biracial Bookworms Academy.

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