The most recommended preschool books

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729 authors created a book list with preschool books, and here are their favorites.

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Book cover of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

Caralyn M. Buehner Author Of Snowmen at Halloween

From my list on Halloween for the very young.

Why am I passionate about this?

The world opened to me in a safe space when I learned to read as a child, and by 6th grade, inspired by Jo March, I hoped to be an author and regularly hauled stacks of books home from the library. I had put aside my dream of writing until my marriage to Mark Buehner. It was his career as an illustrator that opened up a path for me, and together we have created many picture books, including the Snowmen at Night series. Iā€™ve learned that stories are told with pictures as well as words, and beautiful picture books can be savored at any age.

Caralyn's book list on Halloween for the very young

Caralyn M. Buehner Why did Caralyn love this book?

I love reading aloud, and I love read-aloud books that have sounds or actions that the reader and listeners can do as they follow the story. This book is delightfully physicalā€”as you clap, clomp, wiggle, nod, and boo along with the shoes, pants, shirt, top hat, gloves, and pumpkin head that the little old woman meets as she walks home one night. Being followed by clomping shoes or wiggling pant legs might be terrifying, but this little old woman is not afraid of anything, something she proves when all these animate items come knocking at her door. Bravely she offers them a task where they can really be frighteningā€”and the clomping shoes, wiggling pants, shaking shirt, clapping gloves, nodding hat, and boo-crying pumpkin head become the perfect scarecrow in the little old womanā€™s cornfield. Such a fun book!

By Linda Williams, Megan Lloyd (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything 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?

ā€œA splendiferous Halloween story.ā€ ā€”The Horn Book

ā€œA great purchase for Halloween or any time of year.ā€ ā€”School Library Journal (starred review)

Once upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything! But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . clomp, clomp, shake, shake, clap, clap.

And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life! With bouncy refrains and classic art, this timeless Halloween story is perfect for reading aloud.

A classic and fun Halloween read-aloud storyā€¦


Book cover of Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying Parody

Katie Vernon Author Of Happy Halloweenie

From my list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although I was a little scared of Halloween as a kid, Iā€™ve grown to love the silly side of spookiness. Growing up with Pee-Weeā€™s Playhouse every Saturday morning, I learned that silliness is a superpower. Now, when working on kids books, my ultimate goal is to put work into the world that will delight kids, and wonā€™t make the parents groan and say, ā€œthat one again?ā€ Finding the sweet spot of being fun to read, fun to hear, and fun to look at is what I love most about creating kids books. I hope you and your little ghouls and goblins enjoy my spooky board Boooook list! 

Katie's book list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins

Katie Vernon Why did Katie love this book?

Goodnight Goon takes the familiar rhyming and simplicity of Goodnight Moon and creates something weird and wonderful.

Itā€™s Michael Rexā€™s tiny details in the art that drew me in ā€“ from eyeballs in holes in the wall to tiny crawly creatures. There are loads more to look at in these ghoulish illustrations than the original book itā€™s parodying. 

By Michael Rex,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Goodnight Goon as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 1, 2, 3, and 4.

What is this book about?

This #1 New York Times bestselling picture book parody is the perfect Halloween read!

Goodnight tomb. Goodnight goon. Goodnight Martians taking over the moon.

It's bedtime in the cold gray tomb with a black lagoon, and two slimy claws, and a couple of jaws, and a skull and a shoe and a pot full of goo. But as a little werewolf settles down, in comes the Goon determined at all costs to run amok and not let any monster have his rest.

A beloved classic gets a kind-hearted send up in this utterly monsterized parody; energetic art and clever textā€¦


Book cover of Pig the Monster

Meredith Rusu Author Of There's a Robot in My Socks

From my list on for kids with big feelings.

Why am I passionate about this?

I am a mom, like any other mom, raising two young boys with big feelings. Those feelings grow and change and adapt as they age, but they are always strong. My experience raising them has inspired me to seek out books about managing those emotions and to write my own series about finding the joy in the chaos of kidsā€™ ā€œbig feelings.ā€

Meredith's book list on for kids with big feelings

Meredith Rusu Why did Meredith love this book?

I love the clever rhymes and hilarious antics in the Pig the Pug books, especially this one. This Halloween-themed story is fun to read over and over again. My sons get the biggest kick out of how naughty Pig the Pug behaves when he confronts the unsuspecting grownups who cross him on Halloween night. (My favorite line might be, ā€œIt filled him with feelings that had to be vented.ā€)

Ultimately, the story teaches kids good manners in the cleverest way by showing how monstrous Pigā€™s own manners are on Halloween night and the consequences of those actions. (Spoiler alert: the ending involves an upset tummy with disastrous results!)

By Aaron Blabey,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Pig the Monster as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 3, 4, and 5.

What is this book about?

Pig the Pug celebrates Halloween in this picture book from #1 New York Times bestselling author-illustrator Aaron Blabey.

Pig was a pug

and I'm sorry to say,

on Halloween night

he'd get carried away...

Pig, the world's greediest pug, is on the rampage for TREATS! TREATS! TREATS! But don't even think about being stingy with the goodies, because this candy-fueled glutton has some terrible tricks up his sleeve...

Rich with author-illustrator Aaron Blabey's signature rhyming text and unforgettable illustrations, Pig the Monster is a laugh-out-loud story that follows the eight previous books in the series (Pig the Pug, Pig theā€¦


Book cover of It's Raining Bats & Frogs

Jennie Palmer Author Of The Wompananny Witches Make One Mean Pizza

From my list on 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 80ā€™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.

Jennie's book list on not-too-spooky witches

Jennie Palmer Why did Jennie 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?


Book cover of Five Little Pumpkins

Gwendolyn N. Nix Author Of I Have Asked to Be Where No Storms Come

From Gwendolyn's 1-year-old's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Editor Mama to chaos baby Aspiring wizard Adventurer

Gwendolyn's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Plus, Gwendolyn's 1-year-old's favorite books.

Gwendolyn N. Nix Why did Gwendolyn's 1-year-old love this book?

This childrenā€™s book has just the right amount of spookiness for the Halloween season for a budding Halloween-loving kiddo.

A ghost floats above the excited pumpkins as the words bounce across the page. He enjoys pointing at the witches and pretending he can blow the jack lanternsā€™ lights out like the ghost. 

By Dan Yaccarino (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Five Little Pumpkins 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?

A wickedly fun rhyming treat!

With bouncy, rhyming text in verse from the classic nursery rhyme and bold, dynamic illustrations from acclaimed author-illustrator Dan Yaccarino, Five Little Pumpkins is a must-have Halloween board book!

Roll along with the pumpkins and their spooky friends as they get into some spirited Halloween fun. The perfect gift for little pumpkins everywhere.

Five Little Pumpkins sitting on a gate.

The first one said, "Oh my, it's getting late!"


Book cover of Ghosts in the House!

Katie Vernon Author Of Happy Halloweenie

From my list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although I was a little scared of Halloween as a kid, Iā€™ve grown to love the silly side of spookiness. Growing up with Pee-Weeā€™s Playhouse every Saturday morning, I learned that silliness is a superpower. Now, when working on kids books, my ultimate goal is to put work into the world that will delight kids, and wonā€™t make the parents groan and say, ā€œthat one again?ā€ Finding the sweet spot of being fun to read, fun to hear, and fun to look at is what I love most about creating kids books. I hope you and your little ghouls and goblins enjoy my spooky board Boooook list! 

Katie's book list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins

Katie Vernon Why did Katie love this book?

I love that the little girl (actually a little witch) in Ghosts in the House! is confident and capable every step of the way as she deals with her haunted house.

Ghosts are not something to be afraid of ā€“ they can be useful! Kazuno Koharaā€™s linocut illustrations are a perfect pairing to her words ā€“ simple and refreshing. 

By Kazuno Kohara,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ghosts in the House! 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?

Ghosts in the House! by author-illustrator Kazuno Kohara is just the right mix of sweet and scary for the youngest trick-or treaters

At the edge of town lives a clever girl with a spooky problem: Her house is haunted! Luckily, she happens to be a witch and knows a little something about taking care of ghosts. She catches them, puts them in the washing machine, airs them out to dry, and gives them new lives as sofa covers, table cloths, and, of course, bed sheets to cozy up under. Fresh and charming illustrations in dynamic orange, black and white bringā€¦


Book cover of Biggest Pumpkin Ever

Margery Cuyler Author Of Bonaparte Falls Apart

From my list on childrenā€™s books for Halloween.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve spent my career as a publisher, editor, and writer of childrenā€™s books, having worked for or published with Macmillan, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Amazon, and other houses. Having written and edited a number of Halloween stories, Iā€™m always on the lookout for new onesā€”and I also enjoy going back and reading the classics in this genre as well. Perhaps itā€™s because I grew up in a haunted house or because Iā€™m the youngest of nine kids who celebrated Halloween in a big way. I retired from full-time work a few years ago and now devote my time to writing childrenā€™s books and consulting. Weā€™ve just moved into a new house, and who knows? Maybe itā€™s haunted!

Margery's book list on childrenā€™s books for Halloween

Margery Cuyler Why did Margery love this book?

Two adorable mice enter a contest, one to carve the biggest jack-oā€™-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 otherā€™s efforts. When they discover that theyā€™re each contributing to the same pumpkinā€™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.

By Steven Kroll, Jeni Bassett (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Biggest Pumpkin Ever 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?

Desmond and Clayton must work together to win the Biggest Pumpkin competition, in this popular bestselling picture book.

Once there were two mice who fell in love with the same pumpkin....Desmond the field mouse wants to carve the biggest jack-o'-lantern in the neighborhood with his pumpkin. Clayton the house mouse wants to win the Biggest Pumpkin contest with his. But when they discover that their choice pumpkins are actually the same one, Desmond and Clayton decide to work together to grow the biggest pumpkin ever!

Book cover of How to Help a Pumpkin Grow

Jacqueline Rogers Author Of Goblin Moon

From my list on Halloween illustrated.

Why am I passionate about this?

I grew up next to a cemetery, and being an avid young artist, I loved to draw all kinds of monsters and spooky themes. Halloween books are a perfect way to express my creepyā€¦but not too creepy side. When I look at Halloween picture books, I'm immediately focused on the pictures, long before I read the story. What medium did the artist use? How do they depict night scenes? Are they realistic or stylized? How interesting are their characters? Halloween picture books are a perfect way to create moody and somewhat scary scenes that balance the creepy with the not-so-creepy. Kids love to be scared, but we donā€™t want to give them nightmares! 

Jacqueline's book list on Halloween illustrated

Jacqueline Rogers Why did Jacqueline love this book?

What I loved most about Ashley Wolffā€™s How to Help a Pumpkin Grow was her color! This luscious book is filled with gorgeous, intense full-spectrum color! Wolffā€™s wet on wet washes flow seamlessly into each other as a base layer. I am guessing, there may be some smooth pastel added to enhance the color in places. Wolffā€™s adept painting skill brings out details with multi-colored painted line work on top of the washes. 

Unusual touches like the addition of saturated royal blue to highlight the black coat of the dog and crow feathers add an interesting pop of color. The great asset of acrylic gouache is that it can be both transparent or opaque, enabling Wolff to add light line work on top of dark washes.

Gorgeous work, Ashley Wolff!

By Ashley Wolff,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Help a Pumpkin Grow 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?

What does it take to help a pumpkin grow? Find out in this warm, rhyming tale of gardening and unexpected friendship.

Dog is planting a garden, doing all he can to help his pumpkins grow: protecting them from snow, weeding and watering their patch, and keeping them safe from barnyard creatures who might eat the sprouts! But are Crow, Rabbit, Duck, and Goat really out to destroy the garden? Or are they be new friends hoping to pitch in and help the pumpkins thrive?


Book cover of The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo!

Iza Trapani Author Of Haunted Party

From my list on rhyming Halloween books for children.

Why am I passionate about this?

Born in Poland, I have fond memories of sitting on my Grandmaā€™s lap listening to stories and poems. A favorite poem was about a crow who ate Swiss cheese and only left the holes. The concept made my noggin spin and spurred my imagination. When I immigrated to the U.S. at age seven, I learned English by reading a Mother Goose collection. Captivated by the fun rhyming sounds and art, I dreamed of making childrenā€™s books someday. Years later, my dream came true, I became an author/illustrator, with the majority of my books being extensions of the nursery rhymes which inspired me when I was a child. 

Iza's book list on rhyming Halloween books for children

Iza Trapani Why did Iza love this book?

This book features the cutest little ghost, who goes out to frighten someone with her Boo. But, unfortunately, she loses her Boo. Boohoo, what will she do? There are plenty of ā€œooā€ sounds in the verses, which could help early readers. The surprise ending engages the reader as well. Itā€™s a very sweet story with lovely illustrations and is not at all scary, Little ones are sure to giggle and participate in making the numerous ā€œooā€ sounds.

By Elaine Bickell, Raymond McGrath (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Little Ghost Who Lost Her Boo! 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?

'I've lost my boo! I've lost my boo!Where has it gone? What will I do?'Little Ghost has lost her boo, but she is determined to get it back, so she heads out to look for it. On her night-time hunt she meets a number of her friends, Owl, Pigeon, Rooster and Cow, and asks each of them if they've heard her boo. None of them have but they are all very kind and offer Little Ghost their own sound instead. But none are as good as her own scary boo so she keeps on looking. In the end, it's theā€¦


Book cover of Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat

Katie Vernon Author Of Happy Halloweenie

From my list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins.

Why am I passionate about this?

Although I was a little scared of Halloween as a kid, Iā€™ve grown to love the silly side of spookiness. Growing up with Pee-Weeā€™s Playhouse every Saturday morning, I learned that silliness is a superpower. Now, when working on kids books, my ultimate goal is to put work into the world that will delight kids, and wonā€™t make the parents groan and say, ā€œthat one again?ā€ Finding the sweet spot of being fun to read, fun to hear, and fun to look at is what I love most about creating kids books. I hope you and your little ghouls and goblins enjoy my spooky board Boooook list! 

Katie's book list on Halloween boards for little ghouls and goblins

Katie Vernon Why did Katie love this book?

Donā€™t Push the Button! A Halloween Treat, written and illustrated by Bill Carter is an entertaining and engaging read.

I always love when a monster is scared of the potential of other monsters. This one reminds me a bit of my favorite kids book of all time, The Monster at the End of This Book, but with more reader/listener participation. The format that worked so well with the original Donā€™t Push the Button book works just as well here.

By Bill Cotter,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Go trick-or-treating with Larry in the hilarious Halloween companion of the USA Today bestseller Don't Push the Button!

Whether you're looking for a Halloween book for toddlers or an interactive book for preschoolers, Don't Push the Button! A Halloween Treat is a must-have for any household!

From the brilliant mind of author and illustrator, Bill Cotter comes one of the year's best Halloween books for kids. Everyone knows that trick-or-treating is the best part of Halloween. But that one house looks kind of scary...wait, why are you walking toward the creepy house?! Whatever you do, do NOT ring that doorbell!ā€¦


Book cover of The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Book cover of Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying Parody
Book cover of Pig the Monster

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