Best Halloween picture books

The list

1. 01

   Gustavo, the Shy Ghost

   Shy ghost wants to make friends; beautifully illustrated tale about confidence, rich in detail.

2. 02

   How to Make Friends with a Ghost

   Fun how-to guide split into sections on caring for, meeting and doing things with a ghost.

3. 03

   Pick a Pumpkin

   Simple rhyming story of a family picking a pumpkin at a farm and carving it.

4. 04

   Funnybones

   Classic first book in the series; skeleton family in a dark cellar on a dark hill.

5. 05

   Room on the Broom

   Julia Donaldson classic; witch's blown-away hat, bow and wand retrieved by creatures who join the broom.

6. 06

   Ten Spooky Skeletons

   Rhyming counting book; skeleton count rises each page, with cut-outs and a glow-in-the-dark finale.

7. 07

   The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt

   Quilt ghost feels left out among twirling sheet ghosts; learns it is ok to be different.

8. 08

   Little Monster (Ten Minutes to Bed)

   Rhyming bedtime read counting backwards from ten; meets Belch the monster who won't sleep.

9. 09

   The Little Kitten (My Little Animal Friend)

   Greyscale illustrations with pops of orange and cut-outs; Ollie helps a lost kitten find home.

10. 10

    Angelina's Halloween

    Sweet story of Angelina and friends preparing firefly costumes; touches on sisterly love.

11. 11

    There's a Witch in Your Book (Who's In Your Book?)

    Interactive series entry; a witch makes a mess and readers use magic to tidy the book.

12. 12

    Christopher Pumpkin

    Rhyming story of a pumpkin who would rather bake than be scary; prefers fairy cakes to curried slugs.

13. 13

    Little Monsters: The perfect gift for all little monsters

    Funny tale of Howl the werewolf, too unscary for monster school, who finds friends and his cool.