The best picture books starring not-too-spooky witches

Why am I passionate about this?

 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.


I wrote...

The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza

By Jennie Palmer,

Book cover of The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza

What is my book about?

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.

Shepherd is reader supported. When you buy books, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Alice and Greta: A Tale of Two Witches

Jennie Palmer Why did I love this book?

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.

By Steven J. Simmons, Cyd Moore (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Alice and Greta as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A bewitching tale showcasing the timeless lesson that a good deed always triumphs over a bad one, even at Miss Mildred Mildew's School of Magic!    

Whatever you chant,
Whatever you brew,     
Sooner or later     
Comes back to you!

Alice and Greta attended the same school of magic, but they each have their own ideas about how to put their skills to the best use. Alice spends her days waving her wand to cast splendid spells. Greta only uses hers to stir up trouble. When their wands and witching styles clash, it turns out Greta should have paid more attention to…


Book cover of Room on the Broom

Jennie Palmer Why did I love this book?

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.

By Julia Donaldson, Axes Scheffler (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

8 authors picked Room on the Broom as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, 5, and 6.

What is this book about?

How the cat purred and how the witch grinned,
As they sat on their broomstick and flew through the wind.

A very funny story of quick wits and friendship, Room on the Broom is another smash hit from the unparalleled picture book partnership of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, creators of The Gruffalo.

The witch and her cat fly happily over forests, rivers and mountains on their broomstick until a stormy wind blows away the witch's hat, bow and wand. Luckily, they are retrieved by a dog, a bird and a frog, who are all keen for a ride on…


Book cover of A Very Brave Witch

Jennie Palmer Why did I love this book?

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.

By Alison McGhee, Harry Bliss (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Very Brave Witch as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 4, 5, 6, and 7.

What is this book about?

It's Halloween night and an extraordinarily brave witch has decided to venture out of her safe, haunted house and see for herself just how odd those humans can be, and what's more if it's true they walk instead of fly, wear unpointed hats, and hardly cackle at all.

But you never know what you'll find on earth, and one extraordinarily brave witch might just make a friend - a human friend!


Book cover of Strega Nona

Jennie Palmer Why did I love this book?

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.

By Tomie dePaola,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked Strega Nona as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

When Strega Nona leaves him alone with her magic pasta pot, Big Anthony is determined to show the townspeople how it works in this classic Caldecott Honor book from Tomie dePaola.

Strega Nona-"Grandma Witch"-is the source for potions, cures, magic, and comfort in her Calabrian town. Her magical everfull pasta pot is especially intriguing to hungry Big Anthony. He is supposed to look after her house and tend her garden but one day, when she goes over the mountain to visit Strega Amelia, Big Anthony recites the magic verse over the pasta pot, with disastrous results.

In this retelling of…


Book cover of It's Raining Bats & Frogs

Jennie Palmer Why did I love this book?

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.)

By Rebecca Colby, Steven Henry (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked It's Raining Bats & Frogs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 2, 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?



A little witch named Delia has been looking forward all year to flying in the annual Witch Parade. When the rumors of rain come true and the other witches start complaining, Delia takes action. Using her best magic, Delia changes the rain to cats and dogs. At first this goes over quite well, but she quickly realizes the animals cause a few issues. She must change the rain again! This time to hats and clogs. And finally, she tries bats and frogs. But each new type of rain brings its own set of problems. How will Delia save the day?


You might also like...

The Others

By Evette Davis,

Book cover of The Others

Evette Davis Author Of Woman King

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve worked in journalism, politics, and public policy for 30-plus years and watched as the extreme voices gained the most traction on either side of a debate. On social media, these minority views often dominate the discussion. 48 States is a stand-alone novel highlighting the problems of extremist viewpoints in a civil society. I also have another book series that features a political consultant who discovers she's a witch and joins a secret society that uses magic to manipulate elections to protect humanity. Bottom line: if I can’t fix political discourse for a living, I can write science fiction novels that contemplate how to do it.

Evette's book list on dystopian stories for the bada** feminist in us all

What is my book about?

True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.

Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted…

The Others

By Evette Davis,

What is this book about?

True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.

Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in witches, Halloween, and witchcraft?

11,000+ authors have recommended their favorite books and what they love about them. Browse their picks for the best books about witches, Halloween, and witchcraft.

Witches Explore 135 books about witches
Halloween Explore 94 books about Halloween
Witchcraft Explore 318 books about witchcraft