Normally, I don’t do the seasonal thing. It’s all so obvious and overdone. Still, I have a soft spot in my heart for Halloween (costumes! candy! creepiness!), and so I thought I’d share some of my favorite spooky books.

The Bones of Fred McFee by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
This picture book told in rhyme succeeds in being creepy, an unusual achievement for a picture book.

Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
The subtitle of this collection of poems reads, “And Other Stories You’re Sure to Like, Because They’ll All About Monsters, and Some of Them Are Also About Food. You Like Food, Don’t You? Well, All Right Then.” All right, indeed. This collection of charmers includes “Count Dracula Doesn’t Know He’s Been Walking Around All Night with Spinach in His Teeth” and “Godzilla Pooped on My Honda.” It’s rare to find a poetry collection that is this consistently entertaining.

Georgie’s Halloween by Robert Bright
Rereading this as an adult, I have to admit that this story about Georgie the ghost’s attempt to win a costume contest is long and lacks any real hook, but this was one of my favorite books when I was a child, so I’m including it for sentimental reasons.

Humbug Witch by Lorna Balian
I love this witch with her black cat and red polka dotted underwear – another oldie but goodie.

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
Illustrating exactly what it takes to scare this particular little old lady, everyone has fun joining in with this story about a shirt that wiggles, pants that shake, and a great big scary pumpkin head that says, “BOO!” This is one of my favorite books to read aloud at any time of year.

It’s unusual for me to recommend a film for kids, but as far as I’m concerned, no Halloween is complete without watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at least five times. So go eat some candy, scare some children, and enjoy! 

Adrienne Furness is a freelance writer and Children’s and Family Services Librarian at the Webster Public Library. You can read more of her ramblings at www.watat.com.