By: Christa Protano
It may still feel like summer, but we’ve seen a skeleton or two pop up on our block, so I think it’s safe to put out all of the creepy and kooky house trimmings. For us, that also means swapping out our beach reads for something a little more seasonal. Here are four not-so-scary books for your family’s youngest readers.
Werewolves, ghosts, vampires, oh my! Not to worry, there is nothing too alarming in this board book that is sure to become your toddler’s new favorite. Outfitted with a squishy, vinyl bat that appears through each die-cut page, this read-aloud celebrates the season through playful rhyming text and colorful illustrations of Halloween’s most popular characters.
Creeky doors, eerie organ music, howling beasts — some of this season’s sound effects may be even scarier than the decor. But this kid-friendly book helps your child understand that things are not always as spooky as they seem. Four sound buttons make for an interactive adventure as readers follow along with a group of friendly faces on Halloween.
Whether at home or on-the-go, this sticker book will keep your preschooler occupied all month long thanks to 32 activity pages and more than 75 puffy stickers. Halloween-themed word searches, coloring pages, mazes, puzzles and more make for a candy-less treat with plenty of silly tricks.
OK, so this one is not really a Halloween book, but it does deal with a very frightening situation: What would happen if your child’s favorite stuffed animal went missing?! This heartwarming picture book is one you’ll want to keep close by year-round to help soothe those stuffy scaries. We recommend reading it as a family so you’ll all know how to react if this ever happens at home (cue that creepy organ music…).