When it comes to planning lessons and read alouds for seasonal events like Halloween, my philosophy is to just roll with it! I’ve tried pretending like things were “business as usual” in the past and learned the hard way that it was a losing battle. So, now I fully embrace the seasonal excitement and use these events to my advantage.
Halloween is approaching quickly and my students are obsessed with all things spooky. If your students are also excited about Halloween, check out my list of the best read alouds for Halloween. These books will keep your students engaged and focused on your reading instruction all month long!
My Favorite Halloween Read Alouds
Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich by Adam Rex
The collection of monster stories in this book are not only funny but they’re also written as poems! Your 3rd-5th grade students will love reading each of the stories in this collection while they learn about figurative language, rhythm and rhyme, and more.

Check out this 5-day unit that accompanies this book!
Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
This book is a beautifully illustrated version of the classic poem written by Mary Howitt. I love using it with my older students in 5th or 6th grade. This book works great for teaching plot development, characters, and theme. While it’s not centered on Halloween, it’s just right for reading aloud this time of year.

Check out this 5-day unit that accompanies this book!
Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
If you need a Halloween read aloud for a younger audience (2nd-3rd grade), then Creepy Carrots is a must-have! This book, about a rabbit that absolutely loves carrots, is just the right mix of creepy and fun. Plus, it’s great for teaching about character traits, plot development, point of view, and illustrations.

Check out this 5-day unit that accompanies this book!
The Day of the Dead: A Bilingual Celebration by Bob Barner
For something that’s not focused on Halloween, this read aloud fits the bill! This children’s book about Dia de Los Muertos is a wonderful story about two kids who honor their ancestors on this Latin American holiday. This book is perfect for teaching about main idea and details in a 2nd-3rd grade classroom. Moreover, your class will love the colorful illustrations.

Check out this 5-day unit that accompanies this book!
More Halloween Books to Read Aloud
Need some more suggestions? Here’s a few more picture books you can keep on hand for this time of year.
- Tell Me a Scary Story…But Not Too Scary! by Carl Reiner
- If Your Babysitter is a Bruja, by Ana Siqueira
- Nobody Likes a Goblin, by Ben Hatke
- The Biggest Pumpkin Ever, by Steven Kroll
- Pumpkin Jack, by Will Hubbell
Finally, if you’re looking for a chapter book to use in October, check out the titles below!
- Bunnicula, by James and Deborah Howe
- The Monster’s Ring, by Bruce Coville
- The Boggart, by Susan Cooper
- The Witches, by Roald Dahl

No matter which read aloud you choose for Halloween, you can always incorporate a few reading skills to keep your class learning while you celebrate the season. Want one of the low-prep resources mentioned in this post? Everything in my each Read Aloud unit is ready to go: just grab the corresponding book, print, and enjoy!