Halloween stories, childhood memories, family reading time, and a few Little Golden Books that caught my eye!
For my family the Little Golden Books have been around for most of the major Holidays in my life. When we began working on our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide I knew I wanted to share these books not only with my friends and family but you as well. Come and join and lets see which books you and your family have had the opportunity to read as I share what my family has read.
For me there is something special about children’s books which make wonderful gifts not only for the children in our lives but adults as well. Some books take us back to our own childhoods, others remind us of the days when our children were little, and every once in a while, we discover a book we somehow missed along the way.
If you’ve been following Greatful Moments, you know I love books, family traditions, #Holidays and finding ways to encourage children to read which is why I host our 10 Minute reading Challenge. I also believe reading doesn’t have to stop when children grow up. There is always another story waiting to be discovered!
With Halloween approaching, I started looking through the Little Golden Books seasonal collection to see which Halloween books might interest families. Some brought back memories, some made me curious, and others had me wondering how I could have missed them when my children were growing up.
Today, we’re looking at several Little Golden Books that might be fun additions to a family’s Halloween reading collection. Which you will find inside our Interactive Halloween Gift Guide. If your #Homeschooling your children these books can be used for your reading class.
A quick note before we begin: We haven’t purchased these books for our family yet, so these aren’t book reviews based on reading the complete stories. I’m sharing the publisher’s descriptions, what caught my attention, and ideas for how families might enjoy them.
The shopping links are intended to help readers find the books, and some may be affiliate links. If you purchase through an affiliate link, Greatful Moments may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. So grab a cup of your favorite drink Buttercup, get comfortable, and let’s see what we can discover!
1. Which Witch Is Which? — A Sesame Street Little Golden Book– Written by Michaela Muntean and illustrated by Tom Brannon
Let’s begin with a book that surprised me! Which Witch Is Which? a Sesame Street Little Golden Book that was first published in 1996. I honestly don’t remember ever seeing this book when my children were growing up. Suzanne and Charlie loved their children’s books, and Sesame Street was a familiar part of childhood, so I’m surprised this one never crossed our path.
Suzanne was born in 1988, and Charlie came along in 2007. This book was around during their childhood years, yet somehow it never made it onto our bookshelf—or at least I don’t remember it being there! Now, you know that when I discover a book I’ve never seen before.
I get curious. I want to know what it’s about, what the illustrations look like, and whether it might be something I’d enjoy adding to my collection. And here’s another reason this book caught my attention: Oscar the Grouch is one of my favorite Sesame Street characters!
According to the story description, Sesame Street’s familiar characters dress up as witches for Halloween, and readers get to play along as they try to figure out who’s who. Oscar adds his own twist to the fun. I love the idea of a Halloween book that encourages children to look carefully at the characters and figure out what’s happening.
It gives little readers a chance to observe, think, and participate rather than simply listen to a story. Since this book dates back to 1996, I’m curious about how many families remember it. Did your children have this one? Did you read it together when they were little?
I haven’t found an exact date for when the original edition stopped being available, but copies have been listed for sale online. You can bet your bottom dollar I’m going to see if I can find a copy to add to my collection! Have you ever read Which Witch Is Which? I’d love to hear whether this was one of your family’s Halloween favorites.
2. Peppa’s Pumpkin Day — Peppa Pig– Written by Courtney Carbone and illustrated by Zoe Waring
Now, here’s a book that has me asking questions! When shopping for Halloween books, it seems that Little Golden Books believes Peppa’s Pumpkin Day is a Halloween book. Don’t ask me why, because I cannot see Peppa Pig being a Halloween book! But that’s where reading differs for everyone. My thoughts don’t have to be your thoughts, and you may see things differently than I do.
The publisher describes this Little Golden Book as a story celebrating Autumn and Halloween with Peppa Pig, George, and their friends. The description also introduces Peppa and her family, reminding us that Peppa loves playing games, dressing up, visiting exciting places, making friends, and jumping in muddy puddles.
I can understand why a Pumpkin-themed story might appeal to families during the Halloween season. But I haven’t read this particular book, so I can’t tell you exactly how much of the story involves Halloween. From what I’ve been able to find, the pumpkin and jack-o’-lantern appear to be part of the connection. Still, I’d like to hear from someone who has actually read the book. Have you read Peppa’s Pumpkin Day? Can you tell me why you consider it a Halloween book? I’d genuinely love to hear what you think!
A Peppa Pig Halloween Adventure in North Richland Hills There’s another reason this title caught my attention: Peppa Pig has a real-life connection to families here in North Richland Hills, Texas. Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth has a Halloween celebration called Peppa’s Halloween Party. The event offers families another way to enjoy Peppa-themed fun during the Halloween season, with seasonal activities for little ones.
I love finding ways to connect books with experiences families can enjoy together. If your little ones love Peppa Pig, you could explore the book and the park’s seasonal activities as two ways to bring a little Peppa fun into your Halloween plans. Before making the trip, check the park’s official website for current event dates, admission prices, activities, and operating hours. Visit: Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth And if you’ve read the book, please come back and solve the mystery for me. I still want to know what makes this one a Halloween story!
3.Let’s Go Trick-or-Treating!: A Halloween Book for Kids and Toddlers (Little Golden Book) Written by Lori Haskins Houran and illustrated by Joanie Stone
I have a question for you. Have you ever had a child who was excited about Halloween but wasn’t quite sure what to expect? That’s one reason Let’s Go Trick-or-Treating! caught my attention. This Little Golden Book follows twin brothers Nick and Toby as they choose their costumes and go trick-or-treating with their parents.
The publisher’s description explains that the story introduces little ones to some of the things they might encounter during their own Halloween adventures. The boys learn about taking just one piece of candy when a bowl is left outside, saying thank you, checking out a neighborhood haunted house, and sharing some of their Halloween candy with their parents.
And let’s be honest: the candy-sharing part might be something Mom and Dad appreciate! At least I would. How about you? What I especially like is the idea of using this book with children who are preparing to go trick-or-treating for the first time. Choosing a Halloween costume can be a big deal when you’re little. There are so many possibilities!
One child might want to be a superhero, another might dream of being a princess, and somebody else might want to dress up as a dinosaur. Reading a story about children getting ready for Halloween could help little ones understand what to expect before heading out themselves.
Here’s another idea that came to mind when I read the description: this book could be a starting point for a homeschool activity. After reading the story, children could talk about the costumes they would like to wear. Families could look through fabric scraps, old clothes, cardboard boxes, ribbons, and other materials to see what they could create together.
Older children might enjoy learning basic hand-sewing skills with appropriate adult supervision. Younger children could help select materials, arrange decorations, or work on simple costume pieces with an adult. You could even turn the activity into a little writing assignment. Ask your child to describe the costume they want to make, draw a picture of it, and explain why they chose it.
That gives families an opportunity to combine reading, creativity, planning, and practical skills without needing an expensive curriculum. For parents and grandparents helping little ones prepare for their first Halloween adventure, this sounds like a book worth considering.
Have you read this book with your children? I’d love to know whether it helped them get excited about their first trick-or-treating adventure!
4. A Halloween Mystery! — (Scooby-Doo and Friends) (Litlte Golden Book)- Written by David Croatto and illustrated by Dario Brizuela
Now we’re getting into a subject my family knows something about: Scooby-Doo! My nephew David, Michael, my son Charlie, and my David have been obsessed with Scooby-Doo since the dinosaurs walked the face of the earth. How about you. Are you a Scoob-Doo fan? Or are you a Shaggy fan?
So you can bet your bottom dollar that if Little Golden Books has a Halloween book featuring Scooby-Doo, it’s going to earn a spot in our Halloween gift guide! The book is called A Halloween Mystery! (Scooby-Doo and Friends), and just the title makes me curious about what kind of adventure awaits.
The publisher describes a Halloween decorating competition involving a haunted house, with someone causing trouble and Daphne and Velma investigating. The story also brings together characters from Scooby-Doo and other familiar entertainment favorites. I haven’t read the book myself, so I’m not going to pretend I know every character who appears or exactly how the mystery unfolds. That’s part of the fun of discovering a new book!
This book got me thinking about a possible Halloween gift for David. I could pick up a copy, add some candy, and look for Scooby-Doo snacks to enjoy while we sit down and read. Because what’s better than a Halloween mystery?
A Halloween mystery with snacks!
And now I’m thinking I might need to run to Walmart to see what Scooby-Doo goodies I can find. If we’re going to read a Halloween mystery, we might as well make it a little celebration. Of course, buying the book and snacks is the easy part. Getting everybody to sit down and read together is another story! LOL
This is also a perfect opportunity to invite you to join our Free Book ten-minute reading challenge. You don’t need to read an entire book in one sitting. You don’t need a fancy reading corner or an elaborate plan. All you need is a book, ten minutes, and a willingness to enjoy the story.
Choose a book with your child, grandchild, spouse, or another family member. Find a favorite snack, get comfortable, and spend ten minutes reading together. You might discover a new favorite character, remember a story you loved years ago, or simply enjoy spending a little time together. And if you happen to have Scooby-Doo snacks, all the better!
Would you like to join us? Grab a book, find a snack, and give yourself ten minutes to enjoy reading. After all, the gang’s all here. We just need the snacks! Remember when your `- Minutes of Reading is done to collect your ticket for the event at the end of the year.
5. Counting Creatures and Their Features– Written by Dee Leone and illustrated by Kelly Kennedy
This book caught my attention because of the creatures on the cover bnt this story sounds like a fun way to combine counting, rhyming, and Halloween reading. Just look at those characters! There’s a blue monster that takes me back to Monsters, Inc., although it isn’t the monster from that movie.
There’s a witch, and I can’t tell whether she’s a good witch or a bad witch. Then there’s a vampire, a fox, and a dragon! And OMG, anything with a dragon is definitely going to catch David’s eye. What more would David need? How about you. TeamDragon or #TeamWitch and why?
According to the publisher’s description, children can count their way through a world of quirky creatures, from goblins and witches to growling monsters with spiky hair and fire-breathing dragons with shiny scales. The book uses rhyming text and colorful illustrations, with items for children to find and count along the way.
I can see why this might appeal to little ones who love imaginative creatures. There’s plenty to look at, and the combination of counting and rhyming could make it an enjoyable read-aloud. This is another book that made me think about homeschooling families.
When Suzanne and Charlie were learning to count, a book like this would have been a wonderful addition to our reading time—back in the day before the dinosaurs roamed the face of the earth, as Charlie would say! Children can practice counting objects in the illustrations, listen for rhyming words, describe what they see, and invent their own stories about the creatures.
You could ask questions such as:
- How many creatures can you find on this page?
- Which character is your favorite?
- Can you find two things that rhyme?
- What do you think the dragon might do next?
- If you could invent your own silly creature, what would it look like?
For children who enjoy drawing, you could even have them create a creature of their own and give it a name. That turns reading time into an opportunity to practice early math, language, observation, and creativity. I haven’t read the complete book, so I’m basing these ideas on the publisher’s description and the cover.
But I can certainly see why it might catch the eye of a young reader who loves dragons, monsters, and a little Halloween magic. And if your family has already discovered this book, tell me which creature caught your child’s attention first! How about your attention?
6. The Haunted Mansion — A Disney Classic Written by Lauren Clauss and illustrated by Glen Brogan
Now, here’s a book that makes me laugh at myself a little. I might like the idea of living in a mansion, but there ain’t no way in heck I’m going to live in a scary mansion! So I think I’ll pass on visiting this place. How about you? Laughing out loud! Bur David said he would go but Charlie said no, way no, how.
The Haunted Mansion brings the famous Disney Parks attraction into a Little Golden Book. According to the publisher’s description, readers join the Ghost Host and explore the attraction’s spooky rooms, including the Séance Room, the Grand Hall, and an attic filled with scary secrets.
And there’s an important question to consider: it’s easy to get into the Haunted Mansion, but can you find your way out? Well, that depends on the ghosts! Even though I don’t see myself volunteering to explore a haunted mansion, I do like the idea of experiencing Disney Parks through a book.
I’m an armchair traveler. There are places I might never get to visit in real life, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy exploring them through stories, photographs, and books. A Little Golden Book gives readers an opportunity to experience a place from the comfort of home. For Disney fans, that can be part of the fun.
Now, I might consider going inside if the ghosts were more like Casper. Otherwise, you’re not going to find me in there! And the Séance Room? My mom might have enjoyed that part a little more than I would have. Laughing out loud. How about you would you want to visit the Seance Room?
The book was released in 2021, in time for Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. That anniversary has come and gone, of course, but the book remains a possible choice for Disney fans who enjoy a spooky adventure. I also need to admit that I’m not sure whether I’ve watched either of the Disney Haunted Mansion movies.
I suspect David and Charlie may have seen one of them, but I’d need to check the casts to jog my memory! For now, we’re talking about the Little Golden Book, not reviewing the movies or the actual attraction. What about you? Would you explore the Haunted Mansion, or would you rather travel there from the comfort of your favorite reading chair, like me?
One of the things I love about children’s books is that they give families so many opportunities to spend time together. A Halloween book doesn’t have to be scary to be enjoyable. It can be a silly story about creatures, a mystery to solve, an introduction to trick-or-treating, or a chance to explore a familiar character in a new adventure.
Books can also inspire activities beyond reading. Families can make costumes, practice counting, look for rhyming words, draw imaginary creatures, or create a special snack to enjoy during storytime. And if you’re homeschooling, you don’t always need to buy a separate workbook for every subject. Sometimes a story can become the starting point for a little learning adventure.
You can talk about the characters, ask questions about the illustrations, practice early math skills, or encourage children to write or draw their own endings. Most importantly, you can make reading something children look forward to rather than another chore on the day’s schedule.
That’s why I love the idea of our ten-minute reading challenge. Ten minutes might not sound like much, but it’s a place to begin. You can always read longer if the story has captured your attention! Which has happened to my family more times than not and for that I’m grateful, thankful and blessed. How about you?
As I explored these Halloween selections, I discovered a vintage Sesame Street book I don’t remember seeing during my children’s childhood, a Peppa Pig title that has me asking questions, a trick-or-treating story with homeschool possibilities, a Scooby-Doo mystery that made me think about a Halloween gift, a counting book filled with creatures, and a Disney story that lets me explore a haunted mansion without actually entering one.
Some of these books may become part of my collection. Others might make fun gifts for family members who love particular characters. And perhaps you already own one of them! Have you read any of these Little Golden Books? Which ones did your children enjoy? Do you have a favorite Halloween book that deserves a place in our next reading list?
I’d love to hear your thoughts. You might even introduce me to a book I haven’t discovered yet. Until then, grab a book, invite someone to read with you, and make a little room in your day for a story. And remember: you don’t have to be a child to enjoy a children’s book. Sometimes the best part of growing up is getting to share those stories all over again.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed,
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
