As the weather grows crisper, the sun sets earlier, and pumpkins adorn doorsteps, there’s just no better way to embrace the chilly Fall season than by cozying up with a great book. Maybe that’s why we look forward to Halloween books every year! Whether we’re in the mood for scenic autumnal illustrations, or dare to venture into a book of spooky stories, Halloween books are a delightful way to celebrate the season and stimulate our imaginations as we spend more time indoors. This list features our recent favorite Halloween books: some old, some new, some ghoulish, friendly, or historical -- and hopefully some that are just right for you!

The Scarecrow by the Fan Brothers
Ages 4 to 8

We’ve been head-over-heels in love with the Fan Brothers’ artwork since the release of their debut picture book, The Night Gardener (another book that’s ideal for the season!) Now they’re back with stunning autumnal landscapes in The Scarecrow, an unlikely story about a baby crow who befriends an old scarecrow. The soothing tone of Beth Ferry’s rhyming verse pairs wondrously with the soft details of the brothers’ illustrations to create a story that will please readers young and old.

Button and Popper by Olli Tanninen
Ages 4 to 8

Originally published in 1964 by the beloved Finnish author-illustrator Olli Tanninen, this newly translated, folkloric twentieth-century classic is a perfect way to embrace the fantastical atmosphere of the season. The story follows a family of twelve sprite children, two of whom (Button and Popper) find themselves on a quest to help their family when the apple tree they call home succumbs to chilly weather. Orange and yellow-toned mid-century artwork adds a nostalgic touch to this quirky fairy-tale adventure.

Ghoulia by Barbara Cantini
Ages 6 to 8

This endearingly eerie series is a perfect step between picture books and chapter books: friendly to small hands, with more developed paragraphs of text, but still bursting with color illustrations on every page. Character sketches of Auntie Departed, Tragedy the dog, and our friend Ghoulia add whimsy to the story of a young ghoul who seizes Halloween as an opportunity to make friends with real kids without revealing her secret undead status. To add to the fun, in the back of each book you’ll find some festive activities like spot-the-difference pictures and a Halloween recipe!

The Okay Witch by Emma Steinkellner
Ages 8 to 12

Witches have long been a staple of old fairy tales, popular culture, and Halloween costumes. But for those who are historically inclined, The Okay Witch entwines a primer on the Salem Witch Trials with the familiar trials of surviving middle school. In the case of thirteen-year-old Moth Hush, there’s the extra complication of being half-witch. When Moth learns her mother is actually a witch born in 1676 and a survivor of the Founder’s Bluff Witch Hunt, the surprise isn’t entirely unwelcome — Moth has always had a penchant for the strange — but is she prepared for the history she will unveil about her family and her town? With vivid colors and an expressive style, this book brings Sabrina the Teenage Witch vibes to the expanding world of graphic novels.

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab
Ages 8 to 12

Here’s an adventure you won’t be able to put down. Cassidy’s parents are the writing duo behind the massively successful Inspecters series about real-life ghost stories, but they’re completely oblivious to the fact that their daughter can actually see ghosts. When Cassidy learns that her parents are going to start filming a new TV series about the most haunted cities in the world, her summer plans are uprooted as she’s whisked away to Edinburgh, Scotland. There, she comes face-to-face with historical ghosts like the Lady in Red and learns about her purpose as someone who can venture in-between the land of the living and the land of the dead. A mix of history, thrills, and a touch of spook make this book impossible to put down. But fear not when you reach the end — there are sequels!

We hope you enjoy these spooky reads. Check out even more book recommendations in Issue 9: FOOD, which in on shelves now! Happy Halloween everyone.