I have always loved witches. Witches are women with powers and as a girl growing up in the 80’s (Before much female superhero representation) I was very drawn to that. My very favorite stories humanize witches, like the ones I listed above. My own children are very into Halloween and all things spooky- but cannot handle anything remotely scary. These were the best stories I found to share my witches obsession with my scaredy- kids. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I do, and may they spark a lifetime love of magic in your own young readers.
Two mild-mannered kitchen witches accidentally bake up big trouble for their neighborhood.
Can they stop a rampaging pizza and overcome their crippling fear of the neighborhood kids? A saucy tale of common ground, and uncommonly good pizza, bringing diverse neighbors together. Kid friendly pizza recipe included. Perfect for halloween- and all year round.
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A favorite in our home for years- Cyd Moore’s illustrations are perfectly suited to this tale of two very different witches. The pictures are full of details that can be discovered over multiple readings and the color palate keeps things light and fun. A great moral about Karma makes this a fun witchy read year round.
I could (and did) read this book aloud every night for a year. Julia Donaldson’s rhyming text is perfect. Axel Scheffer’s illustrations of the witch and her animal pals are quirky and lovable, and the nighttime setting gives a Halloween feel without the scares. This is one to own and read over and over.
A perfect primer for young readers who are just getting into Halloween spookiness. I love a set up where the witch is afraid of people so the child reader can feel in control. The action plays out on Halloween night and the payoff when the "real" witch meets the child in costume is magical and age appropriate. A sweet and simple beginner witch story.
This classic story is one of my all time favorite picture books since I was a child. Strega Nona (Grandma Witch) was my first introduction to the concept of a “Kitchen Witch” and I have loved the combination of magic and cooking ever since. To top it off, Tomie DePaola’s art is so darn comforting. Another book worth owning to read again and again.
Another witchy title sure to not scare. My kids loved the rhyming spells and their funny outcomes- I loved the parade at the end. I worked for the Thanksgiving Day Parade for years and can totally relate to how rain can make or break your event. (Not to mention that one year it DID snow.)
5,810 authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about witches, Halloween, and witchcraft.
We think you will like Biggest Pumpkin Ever, Go Away, Big Green Monster!, and The Empty Pot if you like this list.
From Margery's list on children’s books for Halloween.
Two adorable mice enter a contest, one to carve the biggest jack-o’-lantern ever, the other to grow the biggest pumpkin ever. It turns out that they fall in love with the same pumpkin. One waters it during the day. The other waters it at night. Neither mouse knows about the other’s efforts. When they discover that they’re each contributing to the same pumpkin’s growth, they decide to work together to win the competition. This classic book with endearing illustrations will appeal to kids who love pumpkins and who value cooperative effort to achieve success.
From Sara's list on for engaging kids on Zoom and FaceTime.
This brilliantly constructed book features cut-out pages that, when turned, gradually build the scary parts of a monster into its full glory. But then, at midway, the narration reads, “… YOU DON’T SCARE ME! So GO AWAY,” giving the child the agency to turn the pages to make the monster gradually do just that. In my experience, younger kids are delightfully a little terrified at first and then master that fear as they turn the pages to make the monster recede, using lines like “GO AWAY big red mouth!” When reading this one online, I find that it works best to read the words and then zoom each image up close to the camera. This one always gets a lot of squeals and laughs!
From Annemarie's list on folktales for children ages 4-8.
Oh, this book is one of my all-time favorites. This amazing folktale has such a powerful message about telling the truth and being true to who you are. I cannot say enough good things about this text. I have read this story every single year and it is one that my students have asked that I re-read-which doesn’t happen all that often. The storyline, the art, and the message make this folktale one of the best out there.