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🎃 Cultural (most UK and US families) · Christian · Autumn celebration

Halloween books for kids: what it is and how to celebrate

When is Halloween? Saturday 31 October 2026; then Sunday 31 October 2027.

What is Halloween?

Halloween is celebrated on 31 October, the evening before the Christian feast of All Saints (All Hallows), which is where the name 'All Hallows' Eve' comes from. Many of its customs, such as costumes and lanterns, also go back to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival marking the end of harvest and the start of winter. Today it is mostly a fun dressing-up night with pumpkins and trick-or-treating.

Who celebrates Halloween, and books for each

Cultural (most UK and US families)

Children dress up, carve pumpkin lanterns, go trick-or-treating or to a party, and read spooky-but-funny stories.

Christian

Halloween is the eve of All Saints' Day (1 November), followed by All Souls' Day (2 November), when Christians remember the saints and people who have died. Some churches hold 'light parties' instead of trick-or-treating, and some Christian families choose not to celebrate Halloween at all.

Autumn celebration

Some Muslim, Jewish, Christian and other families don't mark Halloween. A harvest or autumn evening with pumpkins, lanterns and stories keeps the fun without the spooky side.

Questions to ask while you read

Use these with any of the Halloween books on this page. Pick two or three, and there are no wrong answers.

  1. What is the family in the story getting ready for?
  2. Which part of Halloween would you most like to try, and why?
  3. How do the people in the story show they care about each other?
  4. Is anything in the story like something your family does?
  5. What would you like to ask a friend who celebrates Halloween?

Ways to celebrate Halloween with children

Halloween picture books at a glance

All the Halloween books on this page: Room on the Broom (Julia Donaldson), Funnybones (Allan Ahlberg), Meg and Mog (Helen Nicoll), A Dark, Dark Tale (Ruth Brown), The Dark (Lemony Snicket), The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark (Jill Tomlinson), Pumpkin Soup (Helen Cooper), We Planted a Pumpkin (Rob Ramsden), Amara and the Bats (Emma Reynolds).

Questions parents ask about Halloween

Why is it called Halloween?

It's short for 'All Hallows' Eve', the evening before All Hallows' (All Saints') Day on 1 November.

What are good Halloween books for a child who scares easily?

Try Room on the Broom, Meg and Mog or Pumpkin Soup: they're about witches, spells and pumpkins rather than frights. Read them in daylight first.

Is Halloween the same as the Day of the Dead?

No. Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) on 1 and 2 November is a Mexican celebration remembering loved ones who have died, with altars, marigolds and family visits.

Related festivals: Day of the Dead · Harvest Festival · Bonfire Night

All festivals, by month and by faith →

Traditions vary between families, places and communities; ask your child's friends and their families how they celebrate. As an Amazon Associate, Growing Wise earns from qualifying purchases.