5 Best Halloween Party Read-Alouds
Favorite Fall Season Picture Books or Read-Alones for Ages 4 to 104
Oct 1, 2009
Change the image of Halloween from spooky tales of things that go "Bump" in the night. Turn over a new leaf at children’s party by including a read-aloud with these classic funny and suspenseful picture books.
The Monster at the End of this Book, written by Jon Stone, illustrated by Michael Smollin, ISBN 978-0-375-80561-5 (0-375-80561-3) Publisher: Random House, 2004
The Monster at the End of this Book (starring Lovable, Furry Old Grover) written by Jon Stone, and illustrated by Michael Smollin, is a favorite of several generations of adults since it's first printing in 1971 by the Children’s Television Network (CTW), Jim Henson Muppets, and Golden Books Publishing. With the new 2004 reprint by Random House, it is tempting a new generation of children as Grover begs them not to turn the page closer to the Monster at the End of the Book. Laughably and true to form the monster on the last page is just Grover!
Where the Wild Things Are, story and pictures by Maurice Sendak, ISBN 13-978-0-06-443178-1 Publisher: Harper Trophy/Harper Collins, 1st printed 1963
Where the Wild Things Are, story and pictures by Maurice Sendak, earned the 1964 Caldecott Award for the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year and other awards, reprinted many times, and has sold in countless school book fairs over the years. The book is an American classic children’s tale of a boy’s wild, imaginative adventures with various monsters and creatures as he deals with his anger in being sent to bed without supper for misbehaving, or does he? Men who were small boys in the 1960’s are thrilled that their favorite childhood story is released as a major motion picture in 2009, directed by Spike Jonz. Let’s hope a new generation of youngsters will find excitement and joy in reading, and their parents and grandparents will rediscover the magic of reading Where the Wild Things Are!
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone, by Stan and Jan Berenstain, ISBN 978-0-394-94447-0 (0-394-94447-X) Publisher: Random House, 1st printed 1980
The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone, by Stan and Jan Berenstain, is still widely popular and available. The Berenstain Bears and the Missing Dinosaur Bone is a beginner book written in the Dr. Seuss rhyming style. The illustrations are funny and colorful, so it is a perfect read-aloud for very early and non-readers, bringing no fear into this Halloween theme book. It is a funny, suspenseful, mystery where “no job’s too hard, no case too tough, for the Bear Detectives and their hound dog, Snuff!”
The Stranger, story and pictures by Chris Van Allsburg, ISBN 0395423317 (9780395423318) Publisher: Houghton-Mifflin Books for Children 1986
The Stranger, story and pictures by Chris Van Allsburg, is a lesser known title by the popular book and animated movie, The Polar Express. Chris Van Allsburg's The Stranger is intended for grades K-3, but is easily enjoyed by adults as well as children and there is a teacher’s guide available for accompanying activity and lesson ideas. This starts off as a very eerie mystery with a farmer in his truck on a lonely road, when his truck hits something surprising. What the farmer does next and how The Stranger develops is the stuff of Halloween goose bumps.
Stellaluna, story and pictures by Janell Cannon, ISBN 0152802177 (9780152802172) Publisher: Hartcourt Children’s Books, 1st printed 1993
Stellaluna has given bats a new reputation in recent generations. Where bats once only brought feelings of chills and fears, Stellaluna turns the tables because the main character is a baby bat confused and scared. It is a most endearing story and a terrific, loving surprise in the otherwise spooky Halloween season.
Where to Find These Books
These fun and funky seasonally Halloween appropriate books for children ages 4 to 104 are widely available in school and public libraries for free reading. To purchase for personal libraries or as gifts, consider used book stores , since each of these all-time favorites have been on the market in several reprints for a decade or more. They are each also available online through their publishing companies, amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, and other internet shopping opportunities.
For further reading on more great seasonal themes by Lynn Pritchett, click on these articles:
- Halloween Party Recipe: Monkey Brains
- Best Children's Books for Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving
- Halloween Mud and Muck (fun chocolate dessert)
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