Spooktacular Picture Books at the Smith Library

Now is a great time to enrich your preschooler’s life with books about the many things we see around us in the fall – apples, leaves, pumpkins, scarecrows and of course witches, ghosts and goblins for Halloween. Here are some of my favorite books that encourage participation, imagination and education. These are books that I read to my own children, to children at many story hours over the past 20 years and that I look forward to reading to my own two-year-old grandson as he grows from board books into picture books.

It’s Pumpkin Time by Zoe Hall

With bold and vibrant colors this is a great way to learn that we plant pumpkins in the spring and care for them in the pumpkin patch all summer long so that we can make jack-o-lanterns for Halloween in the fall.

Pumpkin Moonshine  by Tasha Tudor 

Sylvie Ann finds a large pumpkin for Halloween that leads her on a merry chase as it rolls faster and faster down the hill and into the barnyard before she and her grandpa can carve it into a pumpkin moonshine of their own. This is a classic “wee story for a very sweet wee person” that you don’t want to miss.

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

Spooky objects are following the little old lady through the dark woods trying to scare her. These clomping shoes, wiggly pants and noisy objects would certainly scare me. A great story to act out together!

Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman 

A witch wants to make pie with the pumpkin she grew. But drat! Her pumpkin is too big to carry and stuck on the vine. See how her ghoulish friends come to the rescue in this cumulative tale of cooperation that is so much fun to read aloud – especially de voice of de vampire!

By the Light of the Halloween Moon by Caroline Stutson  

In this cumulative tale, spooky things happen “in the dead of night, by the light, by the silvery light of the Halloween moon!”

Mouse’s First Halloween by Lauren Thompson 

This is a fun guessing game in book form.  One spooky night when the moon was bright mouse crept around finding clues – what could it be? With just the right amount of suspense, join in the fun and sing –“Trick or treat! Giggle and fright!  It’s fun to be scared on Halloween night!”

Patty’s Pumpkin Patch by Terri Sloat 

Two books in one - “come look inside my pumpkin patch and see a world of life from A to Z.” Learn your letters and enjoy the warm illustrations in this rhyming fall story.

Froggy’s Halloween  by Jonathan London 

It sure is hard to keep your mind on school work when Halloween is just around the corner!! Froggy is Froggy in this book too and a bit naughty singing – “Trick or treat, smell my feet. Give me something good to eat.  If you don’t, I don’t care – I’ll pull down your …!”

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies 

Can it be true? Yes they’ve left a window open and it’s – Bat Night at the library!  The illustrations make this book a charm as little bats hang upside down on lampshades and under furniture for their very own story hour. And what books are they reading? Why of course – Goodnight Sun , Alphabats, Little Red Riding Bat and more in this batty book fest!

Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson (who also wrote The Gruffalo) 

Wouldn’t it be fun to take a ride on a broom with a witch?  I don’t think this witch would have room with all her pet friends and things. But luckily they come to her rescue when she finds herself in danger!

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

This book will certainly inspire you to collect some leaves for leaf rubbings and making leaf pictures, but don’t let them blow away!!

Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler 

What a silly book! Ghost tries everything to help skeleton get over his bone-rattling, teeth-chattering, belly laughing hiccups?

And if you are looking for “faction” books, books that have a story with nonfiction facts, be sure to check out Nancy Wallace’s books on Apples, Leaves, and Pumpkins.  She’s a fabulous local author from Branford!!

But don’t let this list stop you from checking out all the books in our fall display.  There are so many more waiting for a family to help their story come to life on these dark and spooky fall nights! Let everyone know which fall stories you like the best.  Be sure to also look for our life size witch flying with the bats in our large picture window at the Smith  Library.

Trick or treat!  Books are neat!

Find a book and take a seat.

A spooky story if you dare,

Have a fun Halloween scare!!

Check out the North Branford libraries' website for more information and events.