Let’s be honest, Halloween can be a little overwhelming for some of our younger students. Not everyone loves spooky ghosts and ghouls, and as teachers, we’re always on the lookout for ways to make sure every child feels comfortable while still celebrating the fun of the season.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of non-scary Halloween books perfect for elementary students. These aren’t just fun reads—each one is packed with strong educational value, meaningful messages, and rich vocabulary that will engage your students in more ways than one.
From themes of friendship to lessons about courage and creativity, these books will spark important conversations, all while keeping the Halloween spirit light and fun! Let’s dive in!
The Good, the Bad, and the Spooky
This fun Halloween tale features Bad Seed, who’s on a mission to find the perfect costume and be the spookiest of all. But things take a turn when his plans don’t go as expected. It’s a humorous and heartwarming story about managing disappointment and finding fun in unexpected places.
A Bold Pumpkin Plan
This story features a group of friends coming together with a bold idea to create the most epic pumpkin design. Through teamwork, creativity, and a little bit of Halloween magic, they learn the value of working together for a spooktacular result.
Ghost Afraid of the Dark
Meet Boo, the ghost who’s afraid of the dark! This charming, lighthearted book helps children explore fears, friendship, and bravery through Boo’s journey as he confronts his own spooky shadow in a fun, non-threatening way.
Creepy Crayon
From the creators of Creepy Carrots, this funny yet slightly eerie story follows Jasper Rabbit, who finds a crayon with a mind of its own. As the crayon seems to have mysterious control, Jasper learns a lesson about honesty and being true to himself, all in a lighthearted Halloween-themed adventure.
It’s Raining Bats and Frogs
Delia the witch wants perfect weather for the Halloween parade, but things go awry when her magic brings down a storm of bats and frogs instead. This silly, imaginative story shows kids how to turn a sticky situation into something fun with a little flexibility and creativity!
Pick a Pumpkin
Pick a Pumpking is a delightful, rhythmic story that celebrates the beloved Halloween tradition of picking and carving pumpkins. With playful, rhyming text and vibrant retro illustrations, readers follow the excitement of choosing the perfect pumpkin, carving it into a jack-o’-lantern, and lighting it up to shine on Halloween night. The book captures the joy of family traditions, from visiting the pumpkin patch to enjoying fall treats like cider and toffee apples, making it a perfect read-aloud for the holiday season.
Are you looking for activities to go along with the books in this post? In my TPT store you will find a growing bundle of Halloween read-alouds that includes 5 engaging books plus a bonus cauldron writing craft, all for the price of less than two individual units! A new non-scary Halloween book perfect for elementary students is added is added each week, ensuring you’ll have fresh, fun activities leading up to Halloween. Perfect for encouraging students to interact with the stories in meaningful and creative ways! Click the image below to learn more:
