Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons, especially Halloween. But, I know that not everyone can celebrate Halloween in the classroom, so these not-so-Halloween books are perfect to read aloud with your students in October. Each book brings in those fun Halloween elements like witches, ghosts, monsters and more without a Halloween theme.
I’m sharing all of these books on video as well! Check out the Not-So-Halloween Books on my Youtube channel.
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Not-So-Halloween Books
Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds
A spooky and entertaining story about Jasper. He may or may not be being followed by his most favorite snack. This story has the perfect mix of scare and fun, great for all different ages. The illustrations of this fun story will ignite some nostalgia for some of you teachers, and your students will definitely enjoy them.
Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler
Bonaparte isn’t having such a good time. Whenever he tries something new, he loses a bone. But with a bit of help from his friends and their not-so-bright ideas, Bonaparte feels a little more prepared for his next adventure. Bonaparte Falls Apart is a hilarious story about friendship and creative problem-solving.
Grab this free lesson to go along with this fun book. Your students will love making their own Bonaparte!
Crankenstein by Samantha Berger
Crankenstein is an excellent reminder that we all have a little crankiness inside of us. But, with some sunshine, laughs, and friends, we can overcome the grumpy days. It is a great story to introduce and review shades of meaning. It’s also a great book for students to make connections to themselves.
I Need My Monster by Amanda Noll
A fun twist on the concept of monsters under the bed. It’s a book filled with laughs and a little bit of spookiness. I Need my Monster tells the story of a little boy whose monster-under-the bed is away one evening. He cannot sleep without his monster, and when other monsters try to fill in, it becomes clear there is only one monster for him. This book is hilarious while offering a new light on things that might scare us, and the illustrations are gorgeous.
Click here to grab the interactive read aloud lesson for I Need My Monster!
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
A fun story of a witch and her cat flying on a broom but uh-oh the witch keeps dropping all of her things. Luckily there are friendly animals to help return her items. The Room on the Broom uses adventurous, descriptive language and encourages imagination and thinking skills, definitely engaging for your kids. This story includes great lessons on friendship, the importance of helping others, and the benefits of teamwork.
How to Make Friends with a Ghost by Rebecca Green
What would you do if you met a ghost? This book is a guide on how to make friends with ghosts. From how to find them to what they eat and so many more fun things. A perfect combination of quirkiness, humor, and a beautiful theme of friendship. From the story to the illustrations, How to Make Friends with a Ghost has a Halloween theme but will shock you with its beautiful story ending.
Which ‘Not-So-Halloween Book’ are you going to read this month?
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