Boo! Made You Jump!


Lauren Child - 2007
    . . but just once, Lola wants to make Charlie jump. Lola tries absolutely everything she can think of, including practical jokes, dressing up like a creepy ghost, and telling a really scary story. But no matter what she does, nothing seems to work! Will Lola ever make Charlie jump?

Pumpkin Soup


Helen Cooper - 1998
    The Cat slices up the pumpkin, the Squirrel stirs in the water, and the Duck tips in just enough salt. But one day the Duck wants to stir instead, and then there is a horrible squabble, and he leaves the cabin in a huff. It isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about him and begin a search for their friend. Rendered in pictures richly evoking autumn, Helen Cooper's delightful story will resonate for an child who has known the difficulties that come with friendship. Included at the end is a recipe for delicious pumpkin soup.

Gustavo, the Shy Ghost


Flavia Z. Drago - 2020
    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.

Leo: A Ghost Story


Mac Barnett - 2015
    He likes to draw, he makes delicious snacks, and most people can't even see him. Because Leo is also a ghost. When a new family moves into his home and Leo's efforts to welcome them are misunderstood, Leo decides it is time to leave and see the world. That is how he meets Jane, a kid with a tremendous imagination and an open position for a worthy knight. That is how Leo and Jane become friends. And that is when their adventures begin. This charming tale of friendship—from two of the best young minds in picture books: the author of the Caldecott Honor–winning Extra Yarn and the illustrator of the Bologna Ragazzi Award–winning Josephine—is destined to become a modern classic that will delight readers for years to come.

Fancy Nancy's Marvelous Mother's Day Brunch


Jane O'Connor - 2011
    Nancy plans the perfect Mother's Day in this fancy new lift-the-flap book!Nancy pulls out all the stops to give her mom the best Mother's Day celebration of all time—but will everything go according to plan? This book includes thirteen flaps that open to reveal hidden surprises that will delight all Fancy Nancy fans!

By the Light of the Halloween Moon


Caroline Stutson - 1993
    In this cumulative story, a host of Halloween spooks, including a cat, a witch, and a ghoul, are drawn to the tapping of a little girl's toe.

Bonaparte Falls Apart


Margery Cuyler - 2017
    It's hard for this young skeleton to just hang loose when he can't keep hold of himself. When he plays catch, his throwing arm literally takes a flyer. Eating lunch can be a real jaw-dropping occasion. How can he start school when he has so many screws loose? Luckily, Bonaparte hit the bone-anza when it came to his friends. Franky Stein, Black Widow, and Mummicula all have some boneheaded ideas to help pull him together. But will it be enough to boost his confidence and get him ready for the first day of school?

Olive, the Other Reindeer


J. Otto Seibold - 1997
    the other Reindeer... I thought I was a dog. Hmmm, I must be a Reindeer!" So she quickly hops aboard the polar express and heads to the North Pole. And while Santa and the other reindeer are a bit surprised that a dog wants to join the their team, in the end Olive and her unusual reindeer skills are just what Santa and his veteran reindeer team need. Colorful graphic illustrations accompany this zany dog story from the well-known author and artist team, Vivian and J.otto Seibold. Adorable Olive and her hilarious adventures are sure to make anyone's Christmas merry.

Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear!


Don Wood - 2002
    Painted in acrylics this is a delightful picture book which ends with a wonderful Christmas surprise - the promise of a new friendship between a tiny mouse, and a big bear, who doesn't seem quite so scary after all.

Trick or Treat, Little Critter


Gina Mayer - 1993
    Little Critter describes how he and his family select their Halloween costumes, buy and decorate a pumpkin, and go trick or treating.

The Halloween House


Erica Silverman - 1997
    Cheerfully rendered ghoulies accompany each delightfully understated rhyme... A hit if read aloud or read alone, no matter what the time of year." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Mouse and Mole: A Perfect Halloween


Wong Herbert Yee - 2011
    "Eeny, meeny, miny, mumpkin —Which of you will be my pumpkin?” Mouse likes Halloween.In fact, Mouse loves Halloween. And with only a few days to go before the big day, Mouse has lots of preparations to make. There are decorations to hang up and pumpkins to carve — especially for the big pumpkin-carving contest! Mole does not like Halloween nearly as much. It is scary. It is creepy. And who left that broom on the front step? Thankfully a pumpkin-carving contest is not too scary.But the pumpkin-carving contest is just the beginning of Mouse and Mole’s Halloween adventures. What’s Mouse to do when her best friend has turned into a big Scaredy-Mole? Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award WinnerWong Herbert Yee is a master of combining text and illustration for this age group. His onomatopoeic language paired with his vibrantly stylized illustrations make for an early reader series that is both artful and accessible.

Five Little Pumpkins


Dan Yaccarino - 1998
    Dan Yaccarino's vibrant and bold illustrations bring these pumpkins to life with personality and style. Toddlers are sure to laugh out loud as these pumpkins roll out of sight!

The Berenstain Bears Go on a Ghost Walk


Stan Berenstain - 2005
    He has everything he needs to make it a really spooky night—cobwebs, jack-o'-lanterns, and monsters, such as Frankenbear and Grizzula.But Papa Bear gets so excited about the holiday that he manages to scare himself. Kids will giggle as Papa Bear learns his lesson, and just in time for a great (and not too spooky) time to be had by all.Nothing makes a grown-up Bear feel more like a cub than a lot of Halloween hub-bub!This Berenstain Bears Halloween book is a good match for cubs 4-8.

Stumpkin


Lucy Ruth Cummins - 2018
    He’s as orange as a traffic cone! Twice as round as a basketball! He has no bad side! He’s perfect choice for a Halloween jack-o-lantern. There’s just one problem—Stumpkin has a stump, not a stem. And no one seems to want a stemless jack-o-lantern for their window. As Halloween night approaches, more and more of his fellow pumpkins leave, but poor Stumpkin remains. Will anyone give Stumpkin his chance to shine?