I love checking out picture books from the library for my son, but October makes for an especially fun reading month for us. Summer has ended, school has started, and while these things can feel like a bummer, the excitement of the Halloween season gives us something to look forward to again. We chatter about our Halloween costume ideas, poke around the fall decor aisles while shopping, attend fall festivals, and revel in the shared joy of the season together. I work in a library, so I bring home stacks of Halloween books for us to read together, and picture books about monsters make up many of our favorites.
While monster books for kids are fun to read at this time of the year, they also help destigmatize the horror genre for children. These books give kids the opportunity to face their fears of monsters in a safe setting. They can read about characters their age being brave and confronting their fears, and this can be a cathartic reading experience. Another Book Riot writer, Sarah S. Davis, digs into this more with her essay on why we need horror in kid lit.
Some picture books about monsters might be a little scary, but many include light-hearted elements like cute illustrations, silly rhyme schemes, and relatable characters. Below, I’ve chosen four picture books about monsters for kids that fit into this category. You’ll find ones about vampires, werewolves, zombies, and Frankenstein. I hope these bring as much joy to you and your little ones this season as they do for my son and me. Each one is a graveyard smash!
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4 Monster Picture Books
Vampires
Vlad the Fabulous Vampire by Flavia Z. DragoFlavia Z. Drago writes and illustrates some of my favorite monster picture books for kids, including Gustavo, the Shy Ghost. This charming story takes place in the world of Gustavo and follows a fabulous vampire named Vlad. While Vlad wishes he could fit in with the other vampires, his rosy cheeks make him stand out amongst the undead! Hoping to avoid rejection, Vlad tries to hide behind stuffy vampire outfits until he learns his friend has a pink secret too. This sweet monster story touches upon themes of being yourself and finding community, and it will give you all the feels as much as it will delight your Halloween heart. |
Werewolves
 Every Night at Midnight by Peter CheongSpeaking of themes of community and belonging, this heartfelt monster book by Peter Cheong promises these elements too. Instead of a vampire, though, this story stars a young werewolf named Felix. Human by day, werewolf by night, Felix begins to notice that friends who used to play with him no longer do. As he navigates feelings of loneliness, Felix has a chance encounter with someone that could change everything. |
Zombies
 The ZomBees by Justin Colón, Illustrated by Kaly QuarlesI’m a sucker for a zombie story, even if they scare me half to death too. This picture book by Justin Colón offers a cute spin on a zombie tale, featuring undead bees called zombees. When the people of a town hear an eerie buzzing coming from the graveyard, they find themselves facing a paranormal pest! Colón’s fun premise paired with a catchy rhyme scheme and lovely illustrations by Kaly Quarles make this a monster picture book you won’t want to miss! |
Frankenstein
 Crankenstein by Samantha Berger, Illustrated by Dan SantatThis silly monster book by Samantha Berger makes for a funny and relatable read as it follows a boy who turns into Crankenstein whenever he gets grumpy. We can all become Crankensteins at times, and Berger does a good job of bringing humor into the everyday situations that can make our children (or ourselves) cranky. It had both my son and I laughing while reading, and Dan Santat’s illustrations are great as usual. |
More BOOOOks for You…
For more monster mayhem, check out these graphic novels about monsters for kids, or these cute and silly Halloween books for kids. If you’re interested in reading more about how the horror genre can be beneficial for children, I reflect further on the topic in this essay about the Miyazaki movie, Earwig and the Witch. Happy haunting season!