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In this Halloween version of the bestselling Moo, Baa, La La La! board book, Sandra Boynton’s classic, charming farm animals and delightful rhyming text will make your youngest readers giggle as a cow ventures through an autumn night, searching for the adorable night creature who answers her baa with a boo. — Kim

PNW-local publisher Hazy Dell Press continually impresses with their well-designed, gorgeously illustrated, fun, and thoughtful takes on mythic beasties. Pumpkin Baby, with its easy-lift flaps and delightful spooky art, is no exception. A perfect introduction to the most wonderful time of the year for babies, toddlers, and littles! — Madeline

When I was a kiddo, this book scared me silly in the best way possible. I’d read and reread the stories with macabre delight; “The Green Ribbon” haunts me to this day. With simpler language than Schwartz’s famous Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this book of spooky tales will be met with terrified glee by kiddos moving from early readers to chapter books — though they might want to save their reading for daylight! — Madeline

A highly anticipated picture book, There's a Ghost in This House tells the story of a young girl searching for a ghost that she’s only heard of. Tracing paper with a ghost figure overlaid on each illustrated page lets the reader help the ghost appear in this unique, interactive story only possible from the brilliant mind of Oliver Jeffers. — Kim

Hands down the best Halloween read-aloud I’ve encountered, though I’m admittedly biased — author (and professional storyteller) Washington’s incredible reading of this book lives in my head rent-free. (Check her out here, at a storytime with Left Bank Books!) In this bayou-set, witchy Goldilocks retelling, Curly Locks can’t find anyone to eat her cooking, and the townspeople can’t find a way to appease the terrifying Scares roaming about. Perhaps these two problems could have the same solution? — Madeline

The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor is a wonderfully funny graphic novel for ages 12 and up about a young girl named Haley who’s obsessed with Gothic romance novels. After a daring rescue to save a young man from drowning, she awakens to find herself in a creepy mansion along with a ghost, a housekeeper, and three brothers. Shaenon K. Garrity’s storytelling paired with Christopher Baldwin’s art make this a spooky and fun read for fans of Nimona and the Lumberjanes series. — Kim

Garlic and the Vampire is a delightful graphic novel about a witch named Agnes and her anthropomorphic family of produce! Most days in their little community are predictable: they wake up in their huts, garden a little, and occasionally sell at the farmer’s market. But one day, there is a rumor of a vampire in a nearby castle. Poor Blood Orange! Can Garlic save the day by confronting the vampire and facing her fears for her friends? Warm illustrations and a fantastical story will make you “root” for this unique heroine! — Kim

The Little Witch’s Book of Spells
by Ariel Kusby and Olga Baumert

Portland local Ariel Kusby has crafted a book that I would have gone absolutely bonkers for as a child, especially during the spooky season. This collection of spells, potions, and activities, beautifully illustrated by Olga Baumert, is sure to provide hours of entertainment for any witchy youngster, while also instilling a deep sense of respect for the natural world. A staple favorite of Powell’s employees since its 2020 release! — Madeline

New girl Becca is finding it hard to make friends at Piedmont High, but things start looking up when popular girl, Marley, asks Becca to hang out with her and her friends. At a party in the woods, she soon discovers their secret — they’re werewolves with a taste for revenge on the toxic males in their midst. One part Teen Wolf and one part Mean Girls equals an all-teen, sapphic, shapeshifter paranormal adventure. — Kim

Inspired by Jordan Peele’s Get Out, The Taking of Jake Livingston brings a queer Black perspective to a high school haunted horror. Jake is exhausted. It’s honestly hard to say if being a medium or being one of the only Black students at his prep school takes it out of him more. But when both of those spheres get complicated — a new (handsome) Black student at school, and a new (horrifying) ghost determined to wreak havoc — Jake's biggest concern becomes making it out alive. — Madeline

PNW YA fave Kendare Blake (Anna Dressed in Blood, the Three Dark Crowns series) will keep you up at night with this new standalone supernatural (perhaps?) horror. Fifteen-year-old Marie Catherine is the only suspect in a series of gruesome murders. She agrees to tell her side of the story — to aspiring journalist, and sheriff’s son, Michael — but can she be believed? Perfect for true crime aficionados (in high school and beyond) looking for a new scare! — Madeline

The first in the Bone Witch trilogy by Rin Chupeco, Bone Witch follows a young girl from a family of witches living in a poor village. When Tea accidentally resurrects her brother from the dead, she discovers her powers of necromancy and must seek the guidance of others who can teach her to wield this mysterious power. Strong characters and mesmerizing world-building make this a great spooky pick for young adult fantasy readers. — Kim