9 Halloween Picture Books For Upper Elementary

9 Halloween Picture Books For Upper Elementary



There is no better way to get into the Halloween spirit in your upper elementary classroom than with some spooky picture books!


Kids love listening to their teacher read aloud any picture book. When October comes, getting cozy in the reading area with a good old-fashioned Halloween picture book is a great way to celebrate reading, continue building your reading community, and keep your students engaged and critically thinking.


While there is an endless supply of Halloween-themed picture books, not all will help your older students grow as readers, pushing them to think critically and practice reading strategies. After years of teaching big kids, I know what Halloween books work for upper elementary. 


Below is a list of my favorite Halloween picture books that will get your students thinking, analyzing, and enjoying a wide range of stories.

“Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed
to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.”


Be sure to grab the FREE Halloween printables to go along with these favorite titles.



1. Gustavo written by Flavio Z. Drago


gustavo the shy ghost read aloud


This sweet story will have your students cheering on Gustavo as he learns the best way to make friends is to be himself, letting his interests shine through. This story truly shows how being shy can make you feel invisible. Reading this book will bring conversations about being a good friend into your classroom.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • character traits
  • problem and solution
  • figurative language



2. The Widow's Broom written by ChrisVanAllsburg


widow's broom read aloud



This read-aloud is perfect for upper elementary! The story will have readers at the edge of their seat as they ask questions about the magical broom and make predictions on each page. This book tells the story of what happens to a witch's old broom when it loses its magic. Your students will be surprised by the ending!


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • descriptive writing
  • asking questions as readers
  • making predictions as readers



3. Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein written by Linda Bailey


Mary who Wrote Frankenstein read aloud


This book is a must-read during October in your upper elementary classroom. This simple biography tells how Mary Shelley wrote the story of Frankenstein. It also describes how as a young girl she was a dreamer and used her imagination. These skills helped her become a famous writer that is known worldwide even hundreds of years after her most famous story was published. A truly inspirational tale.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • how writers come up with ideas
  • reading and writing biographies
  • brainstorming, creativity, and using your imagination



4. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything written by Linda Williams


the little old lady who was not afraid of anything read aloud


This is a fun read aloud that is perfect to practice any reading strategy, especially making predictions and summarizing. With a predictable format and an easy storyline to retell, students can easily summarize this story. This book tells the story of a an old lady who is visited by different things that are trying to scare her, but as the title says, she is not afraid of anything. Just when the reader thinks that she is about to be spooked, something clever happens! Will your students be able to predict the ending?


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • figurative language: onomatopeia 
  • making predictions
  • summarizing


5. Hardly Haunted written by Jessie Sima


hardly haunted read aloud


I love books written by Jessie Sima, and this one is no exception! This book tells the story of a spooky old house who does not want to be haunted...until something happens one night to change its mind. This is a quick, fun read that is perfect for the spooky season.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • figurative language: personification
  • descriptive writing



6. Stumpkin written by Lucy Ruth Cummins


stumpkin read aloud



Stumpkin is such a fun book to share! Poor stumpkin does not have a stem like the other pumpkins who are bought by families and turned into jack-o'-lanterns. Just when stumpkin gets down on himself, something amazing happens to him! This book will leave such a lasting impression on your students that when they go pumpkin picking, they will surely pick a stumpkin!


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • figurative language: similes
  • story elements
  • being yourself and loving yourself as you are

7. Hugo Sprouts and the Strange Case of the Beans written by John Loren



hugo sprouts and the strange case of the beans picture book



This one is not Halloween themed, but it sure is perfect for the spooky season! Hugo does not like being the smallest in his family,not one bit. To do something about it, he concocts a special brew that makes him bigger. Along the way as he gets bigger and bigger, he learns a valuable lesson with a little help from his best dog pal. Definitely a must read, especially for classrooms that are looking for Halloween alternatives.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • paying attention to fonts, illustrations, and sidebar writing
  • theme, life lesson, author's message
  • being yourself and loving yourself as you are


8. Bone Soup written by Cambria Evans


bone soup read aloud


This is a fun read for Halloween time in your classroom. This twist on Stone Soup follows Finnegan, a skeleton as he collects ingredients to make his Bone Soup. Your students will love following along as Finnegan meets new characters and adds another ingredient into his soup. I especially love the illustrations and text dialogue in this story.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • problem and solution
  • dialogue 
  • compare and contrast lessons: compare to this version of Bone Soup or Stone Soup



9. Creepy Crayon (and series) written by Aaron Reynolds


creepy carrots read aloud


No Halloween picture book list is complete without the popular "creepy" series written by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by the amazing Peter Brown. They are all amazing, but I am going to review Creepy Carrots here, as it was the first written and the first one you should read!


Creepy Carrots is a must read! This cleverly written story follows Jasper Rabbit as he is stalked by the very carrots that he wants to pick and eat. This book is filled with juicy words, fantastic illustrations, and a clear problem and solution structure that makes it easy for students to summarize. As students listen to Jasper's story they too will wonder if Jasper really is seeing creepy carrots. Such a run read aloud that will make you fall in love with Jasper and want to read all of the other books in the series. 

Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • problem and solution
  • dialogue 
  • compare and contrast lessons: compare to this version of Bone Soup or Stone Soup


Take a look at the others in the series:



10. Bonus Book Recommendation: The Spider and The Fly written by Mary Howitt


the spider and the fly picture book


While this is not a Halloween story, it surely is perfect to read during the month of October as kids are focused on all things Halloween like spiders! This book is based on the poem by Mary Howitt and tells a cautionary tale about what happens when we meet flattering strangers. This book is perfect to discuss author's message and theme. We often refer back to this book throughout the year for different purposes.


Use this read-aloud for lessons about...

  • problem and solution
  • theme, life lesson, author's message
  • rewriting the ending of stories




When it comes to Halloween excitement in the classroom, don’t ignore it! Instead, use it to your advantage. Grab one of these titles and watch student engagement and meaningful reading discourse skyrocket!




Looking for more meaningful Halloween activities for your students, like these Halloween Haikus?
Take a look HERE.


Halloween Writing Activity Upper Elementary








Love these ideas? Pin to save them!


Halloween Read Aloud 3rd 4th5th grades




*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)





signature

3 Ways to Use Those Darn Squirrels Read Aloud

 

3 Ways to Use Those Darn Squirrels Read Aloud

Nothing says welcome fall like a read-aloud of Those Darn Squirrels!  

Hands down, this is my favorite read-aloud of the season, and is equally enjoyed by students.
I found this book by chance. One day after I dropped off my students at the Media Center for their weekly library class, a huge pile of books caught my eye. They were labeled "discard pile." Since picture books are totally my jam, I had to peek and see what was being discarded. Those Darn Squirrels was in the stack {and I have no idea why because it is so good} and had a new home in my classroom.


Have you read this one yet?


Those Darn Squirrels, written by Adam Rubin tells the story of Old Man Fookwire, a lonely, old man who lives alone and loves to bird watch. When the squirrels start stealing the bird seed that he leaves out for the birds, a match of wits ensues between Fookwire and the squirrels. The squirrels come up with a plan to turn cranky old Fookwire into a happy man who becomes their friend.

 

This picture book, as with so many picture books can be used in many different ways, saving you valuable classroom time and increasing student comprehension at a deeper level. A read-aloud of Those Darn Squirrels pairs perfectly with lessons about:


  • Reading: Problem and Solution and Story Structure
  • Writing: Writing Story Beginnings that Hook Readers
  • Word Work: Understanding and Using Compound Words
  • Going Further: Activities that focus on character emotions, changing characters, writing a sequel, researching birds and migration, designing your own squirrel trap, and much more!


Grab a free activity to do with this book at the bottom of this post:

3 Ways to Use Those Darn Squirrels Read Aloud


Here is a closer look at the lessons that I teach using this mentor text.


Reading as Readers: Problem and Solution and Story Structure

This story is just perfect to teach problem and solution structure with your students. Since the main character has more than one problem and other characters in the books have problems, too, this book is just perfect for upper elementary students who are ready to go beyond just the basic problem and solution structure.


Reading as Writers: Writing Story Beginnings that Hook Readers

To be honest, my students are always immediately hooked from the title and cover of this book. They giggle and laugh when I read the title and instantly their eyes widen with anticipation about what might happen in this book. But, the first page is another instant hook! it dives deep into the setting and introduces the main character. I love to use the book as a mentor text for students about writing beginnings that hook the readers. The unique character names, title, and illustrations, also support how important it is for students to make their writing pieces unique, stand out, and have a little something special to hook their readers right at the beginning of the piece.


Word Work: Understanding and Using Compound Words

I love to use books in many ways, the more the merrier! After we read this book as readers and writers, we revisit this book again and dive deep into compound words. With compound words woven throughout the text, it is easy to teach and review compound words and multi-syllabic words. 


Let's Go Further: Literature Activities

Book extensions are definitely a must in my classroom! Once we have read, reread, and revisited the book it is time for the students to take the story and go a little further on their own. I love having students complete book projects based on the read-alouds that we read in class. It strengthens their reading comprehension skills, helps them to practice going back to the book for support or evidence, and is a fun way to help kids fall in love with a wide range of stories and reading!

Going Further activities I love to do with students for Those Darn Squirrels include:
  • focus on character emotions and changing characters
  • write a sequel
  • research birds and migration
  • design your own squirrel trap

Those Darn Squirrels, written by Adam Rubin is a must-grab! It will instantly become your new favorite fall read-aloud and mentor text. You will find yourself loving Old Man Fookwire as much as the kids do!


Grab a free activity to do with this book right here:




Looking for more fall read aloud companions?
Look HERE!

fall picture books upper elementary





Love these ideas? Pin to save them!

3 Ways to Use Those Darn Squirrels Read Aloud



*affiliate links: “Think Grow Giggle is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.” (source: Section 5)


signature
Back to Top