Halloween is one of the easiest holidays to build a reading tradition around. Pop a new spooky book on the shelf each October, or borrow a stack from the library, and let the kids pick their own bedtime scares.
We’ve split this list by age so you can find something that matches your child’s comfort level, plus a dedicated section for Australian authors, since a few of the best “spooky, not scary” reads for Aussie kids come from right here.
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New & Worth Reading (2026) | Littlies (2–6) | Early Readers (6–9) | Middle Grade & Tweens (9–12) | Teens (13+)| Aussie Halloween Books | FAQ
New & Worth Reading (2026)
The Bats on the Bus by Alison Jackson
A Halloween twist on the classic Wheels on the Bus song, following a busload of bats, ghosts and other spooky passengers. A fun singalong pick for littlies. Ages 2–5.
The Haunted Playground by R.J. Palacio
A picture book from the author of Wonder, following the mysterious happenings at a playground after dark. Gentle spookiness with real heart. Ages 4–8.
Littlies (Ages 2–6)
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
A witch and her cat pick up new animal friends on a broomstick ride, until it gets too crowded and snaps in two. A true modern classic with nothing scary in it at all. Ages 2–6.
What’s in the Witch’s Kitchen by Nick Sharratt
A lift-the-flap book where every cupboard hides either a trick or a treat, giving little ones a giggly choice on every page. Ages 0–4.
Mr Tickle and the Scary Halloween by Roger Hargreaves
Ever since Little Miss Scary moved to town, Halloween has become properly scary, but Mr Tickle has a ticklish plan to fix that. A safe, silly entry point for very young Mr Men fans. Ages 3–6.
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
Jasper Rabbit can’t stop eating carrots from the nearby patch, until the carrots start following him. A Caldecott Honor winner that works brilliantly as a read-aloud for all ages. Ages 3–7.
The Widow’s Broom by Chris Van Allsburg
An old widow takes in an injured witch, who leaves behind her magical broom when she departs. More text-heavy than most picture books, so it suits slightly older littlies too. Ages 5–8.
There’s a Ghost in This House by Oliver Jeffers
A young girl searches her haunted house for a ghost using transparent overlay pages that reveal silly, friendly spirits. A clever, interactive format that’s not remotely scary. Ages 3–7.
Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
Vampirina pursues her dream of becoming a ballerina, with plenty of fun vampire-life details along the way. A gentle Halloween classic for littlies who love the TV show. Ages 3–6.
Early Readers (Ages 6–9)
Florentine and Pig and the Spooky Forest Adventure by Eva Katzler
There’s a monster on the loose, and Florentine and Pig are determined to catch it. A cosy adventure with a proper monster-hunting checklist for young readers. Ages 5–8.
How to Haunt a House by Carolyn Crimi, illustrated by Edward Miller
Three young ghosts try to learn how to properly haunt a house in time for Halloween, with one particularly stubborn family proving hard to scare. Funny rather than frightening. Ages 4–8.
Sounds Spooky by Christopher Cheng, illustrated by Sarah Davis
An Aussie picture book packed with onomatopoeia, encouraging young readers to listen out for spooky sounds while chanting along. A great read-aloud for building confidence. Ages 4–8.
Cats on the Run by Ged Gilmore
Not strictly a Halloween book, but this chapter book has plenty of magic and foul-smelling witches who abduct the two feline heroes, Will Tuck and Ginger. A funny read for ages 8–12, or any adult after a laugh.
Middle Grade & Tweens (Ages 9–12)
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
A boy raised by ghosts in a graveyard after his family is murdered, in a story equal parts haunting and humorous. The villain is genuinely sinister, so this suits confident readers aged 10 and up.
Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine
The original spooky chapter book series that’s introduced generations of kids to horror, light on genuine scares and heavy on twist endings. A natural pairing if your kids have watched the Goosebumps films. Ages 8–12.
This Camp Is Doomed
Ten kids with strange abilities, and two of their teachers, uncover the strangeness brewing at the disappointing Camp Buttress. Eerie but with plenty of cheekiness woven through. Ages 9–12.
Small Spaces by Katherine Arden
A school field trip to a pumpkin farm turns sinister when Ollie’s bus breaks down near a cornfield of scarecrows that aren’t quite as still as they should be. The first in a bestselling four-book series, atmospheric without tipping into nightmare territory. Ages 9–12.
Teens (13+)
These sit a step up in intensity from the middle grade picks, with genuine scares, romance or mystery woven through. Better suited to confident teen readers than tweens.
Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
A teenage ghost hunter travels to a new town to kill a murderous ghost, only to find himself drawn to her instead. Atmospheric, romantic and genuinely creepy without being gory. A modern YA horror classic. Ages 14+.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth leads a secret double life studying forensic medicine and hunting the Ripper through Victorian London. Gothic mystery-horror with a sharp, capable heroine. Ages 14+.
This Is Not a Test by Courtney Summers
A group of school friends barricade themselves inside their high school as the outside world falls to a zombie outbreak. A tense survival story that’s more about the characters than the gore. Ages 14+.
Ten by Gretchen McNeil
A group of teens gather at a remote island house party, only to discover they’re being picked off one by one. A fast-paced slasher-style mystery in the vein of And Then There Were None. Ages 14+.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Also listed above in Middle Grade, but worth a second mention here for teens who want something more atmospheric than scary. A genuine crossover pick that works for confident tween readers and teens alike.
Aussie Halloween Books
A genuine point of difference on most Halloween reading lists, which tend to skew heavily American. These are all written by Australian authors.
The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon by Aaron Blabey
The ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon haunts the townsfolk of Twee, until young Herbert Kettle comes up with an extraordinary idea. A witty, beautifully illustrated pick from the creator of The Bad Guys. Ages 4–8.
Halloween in Christmas Hills by Karen Tayleur, illustrated by Heath McKenzie
A genuinely Aussie Halloween story, following Miles Cameron on his first time trick-or-treating and the warnings everyone gives him about the Stingy Jack house. A nice reminder that Halloween’s roots are Celtic rather than American. Ages 5–9.
Sounds Spooky by Christopher Cheng, illustrated by Sarah Davis
Also listed above, but worth a second mention here as one of the better local options for younger readers.
The Turnkey by Allison Rushby
Set in London’s Highgate Cemetery during the Blitz, a ghost named Flossy Birdwhistle guards the dead against the enemy’s own spirits. Genuinely atmospheric without tipping into scary. Ages 9–12.
The Mulberry Tree by Allison Rushby
A story about an evil tree that steals away little girls on the eve of their eleventh birthday, from an Aussie author known for writing “spooky, not scary” middle grade. Ages 9–12.
Shadowghast by Reece Carter
Set on “Ghastly Night,” young heroes Herbie and Violet must uncover the truth about a monster who steals people’s shadows to control them. A fun, homegrown spin on Halloween-style spookiness. Ages 8–12.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room on the Broom and What’s in the Witch’s Kitchen are both gentle, giggly options with nothing scary in either, making them safe first choices for toddlers and preschoolers.
Yes. The Ghost of Miss Annabel Spoon, Halloween in Christmas Hills, Sounds Spooky, The Turnkey, The Mulberry Tree and Shadowghast are all written by Australian authors, several with local settings and references.
Goosebumps books are short, punchy and full of twist endings, which makes them a great option for tweens who find longer novels daunting. Shadowghast and This Camp Is Doomed are also good next steps once they’re hooked.
Most are available through your local library via Libby, or through independent bookshops and Big W, Kmart or Dymocks in the lead-up to Halloween.