If You Like... New Halloween Picture Books

It's spooky season, and that means a whole new crop of Halloween books! While any book is fun to browse, I have to admit that every year I especially look forward to when the new Halloween picture books start popping up! So, here are a few for you to enjoy from this year.

¡Vamos! Let's celebrate Halloween and D̕a de los Muertos

Written by Raúl the Third

Illustrated by Elaine Bay

New York: Versify, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2024. Picture Book.

A seamless blend of two different cultural traditions, as well as, languages, ¡Vamos! Let's Celebrate Halloween and D̕a de los Muertos is a visual and engaging delight. Following Little Lobo and his friends as they first dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat, and then as they work with their families to remember those who have passed on, this story will give you something new to enjoy on every page!

Spooky, Scary Skeletons

Written by Andrew Gold

Illustrated by Polona Lovsin

New York: Random House, 2024. Picture Book.

Written with the lyrics of the classic song by Andrew Gold, this visual version follows five little trick-or-treaters dressed as skeletons as they have a fun Halloween night.

Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books

Written by Barry Timms

Illustrated by Laura Borio

Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2024. Picture Book.

Griselda Snook runs a Halloween-themed bookshop that caters to the reading needs of the classic Halloween characters who make up her community. However, one day a young boy named Henry finds a key to the shop and is skeptical that he'll ever find a book that he loves. With a spooky yet cozy vibe, Griselda Snook's Spectacular Books is a fun new take in comparison to the usual Halloween tales.

Trick-or-Treating in the City

Written by Tiffany D. Jackson

Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud

New York: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2024. Picture Book.

When Janelle's family's Halloween night plans in the suburbs are upended, Janelle isn't sure how she should celebrate Halloween in her large metropolis of New York City. She starts asking members of her community how they celebrate in the city, and ends up finding out about the many diverse ways this holiday is observed in an urban landscape.

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Painting for Peace in Ferguson

Painting for Peace in Ferguson By Carol Swartout Klein Treehouse Publishing Group, 2015. Nonfiction. When the city of Ferguson was overrun with so much hate and despair that homes and businesses had to be boarded up to protect property, citizens of the community decided to bring a message of hope by painting the boarded windows. Klein’s rhyming text supports the photographs of the hundreds of artists and volunteers and their artwork as they bring the messages of peace, hope, love, and that by being united they can make a difference. A great book to show children how a community rallied to make a positive change and that even a small gesture can make a huge difference. A great discussion opener on how we should treat each other.

Dragon Run

Dragon Run by Patrick Matthews Scholastic, 2013. 336 pgs. Fantasy Al Pilgrommor is excited for Testing Day, when he will receive his rank, a tattooed number on the back of his neck, and a path forward to his future occupation and life. He feels confident because his parents were fours on a scale of seven, but he is worried for his friend Wisp who doesn't have much of a chance of scoring above a two at best. But when Al is scored a zero, he not only has no prospects, he may lose his life as the dreaded Cullers are unleashed to kill him and his family to purify the land's bloodlines. Al's world is ruled by dragons--the lords and supposed creators of humankind--so he thinks that even if he survives, he will have to make his living as a beggar or thief. But when Al sticks up for his Earther friend in front of Magister Ludi, he is drawn into the struggle of a secret organization hoping to destroy the Cullers, and perhaps the dragons them...

Books to Read... Inspired by Our Summer Reading Theme

I am very excited about the summer reading theme here at the library: Color Our World. From the first moment I heard what the theme was going to be, it has been on my mind, and I noticed I was seeing bright and vibrant colors in so many picture books. Here are a few colorful books that inspired me! I hope you enjoy reading all summer long. How Do You Eat Color? Written by Mabi David Illustrated by Yas Doctor Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025. Picture Book. If you want a book full of vibrant colors, this one will definitely meet your expectations. Bold and eye-catching, the illustrations are a reminder that color is all around us, including in delicious foods that we eat. Even the endpapers are a deep and stunning shade that made me think of summer! I appreciated the tips the author included for why eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is important for all of us. Inventions to Count On Written by Dana Marie Miroballi Illustrated by Sawyer Cloud New Y...

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