These witch books cast a seriously fun spell
There’s nothing that screams Halloween quite like witches. Of course, with all the famous witches we know and love (Samantha, Glenda, Sabrina—we’re assuming their names have to end in an “a”), it only makes sense to pull out our pointy hats and striped stockings this time of year. But we also know that little ones may not be into the ultra-scary. Halloween can bring up nerves your babes didn’t even know they had.
To have fun and overcome fears, there’s nothing better than books. And, when it comes to the best Halloween books for kids, witch books are some of our absolute favorites. There are some classics you’ll probably recognize, along with some new kiddo-approved characters. They all include absolutely loveable witches, especially those for the littlest kids. From silly rhyming books to darker (though still age-appropriate) fantasy, we’ve rounded up witch books for all kinds of little pumpkins. Which witch is your favorite?
For Little Kids
Room on the Broom
$7 BUY NOWSure, you’ve seen a witch and her cat fly together on a broom, but what about a frog, a bird and a dog, too? This popular story of a generous witch will likely result in some serious broom riding up and down your halls. Ages: 2–5
It's Raining Bats and Frogs
$14 BUY NOWThe time has come for the annual Witch Parade, but the threat of rain will ruin the day. So a little witch named Delia saves the day, sorta. She changes the rain to cats and dogs, then to hats and clogs, and finally to bats and frogs. Find out how Delia finally saves the day and the parade in this sweet story. Ages: 2–5
Dorrie and the Blue Witch
$18 BUY NOW“This is Dorrie. She is a witch. A little witch. Her hat is always on crooked and her socks never match.” So begins nearly every Dorrie book in the series of twenty that catalog the adventures of a curious little witch (and her cat Gink) who seems to always find herself saving the day. Author-illustrator Patricia Coombs’ detailed pencil drawings are as enchanting as Dorrie herself. The series started in 1962 and they are timeless as ever. Start with "Dorrie and the Blue Witch" and your little imps will relate to the kid that saves the day.
Ten Flying Brooms
$5 BUY NOWWhat’s a witch without her broom? This spooky-good counting book is perfect for kiddos learning to read and reinforces early readers with rhyming and beautiful illustrations. Ages: 3–5
Meg and Mog
$14 BUY NOWThe bold drawings and simple text of this classic book will have even your littlest witch squealing with joy. The 40th Anniversary edition was published in 2012 and it's still going strong! Ages: 3–5
Strega Nona
$8 BUY NOWWhile this witch isn’t circling the moon on her broom or cackling in the dead of night, Grandma Witch’s magic pasta pot has been bewitching kids since 1975. Ages: 3–7
Zip! Zoom! On a Broom
$17 BUY NOWFrom the creator of the NY Times Best Picture Book "From Letter to Letter, " Terri Sloat, and acclaimed artist Rosaline Bonnette, this is a fantastic rhyming book to celebrate the witchy season. Join ten feisty witches and one adorable kitten as they travel from spooky castle to graveyard and beyond. Ages: 4–8.
The Witch Who Was Afraid of Witches
$5 BUY NOWPoor sweet little Wendy. She just wants to be like her sisters and cast spells and fly her broom. But no one will teach her. Turns out, she’s already got all the magical powers but needs a friend and Halloween magic to prove it. This vintage classic was first pubbed in 1978 and was reissued in 2000 with new illustrations. Ages: 4–8
The Sweetest Witch Around
$9 BUY NOWA charmer of a tale of a little witch whose fear of humans doesn’t outweigh her desire for candy is a super sweet Halloween read perfect for beginning readers. Ages: 4–8
Wee Witches' Halloween
$11 BUY NOWA super cute group of little witches head out on their annual scaring spree, but things don’t go quite as planned. Find out what happens to this not-so-scary group on Halloween night, as told in rhyme. Ages: 4–8
The Widow's Broom
$31 BUY NOWWhat happens if a witch falls into your garden and leaves her broom? The artwork alone will leave you spellbound and the surprise ending will delight the kids. Ages: 5-9
For Big Kids
The Witches
$9 BUY NOWWe can’t swear your kiddos won’t start suspecting their teacher or the nice lady at the grocery store is a witch, but that’s half the fun of this Roald Dahl classic. Read this short-ish chapter book together as a semi-spooky bedtime story. Ages: 7–10.
The Worst Witch
$7 BUY NOWThis funny, cute series follows little Mildred Hubble and her magical misadventures at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. As you might have guessed, Mildred is not exactly the best at flying on her broomstick without crashing or doing her spells right. And she's also got a Draco Malfoy-like problem: the teacher's pet, Ethel. Your kids will enjoy cheering for Mildred throughout this seven-book series. It's a chapter book, but even younger kids can enjoy it as a read-aloud or read together. Recommended age: 5–10.
The Witches of Benevento Series
$14 BUY NOWThis illustrated chapter-book series is about a group of kids in the little Italian town called Benevento. Inspired by the belief that Benevento, Italy, has long been a gathering place for witches, the marvelously illustrated chapter books follow five cousins—Primo, Emilio, Maria Beppina, and Sergio—on their adventures in and around Benevento as they try to evade local witches. There are currently six books in the series, which can be read as stand-alones or in order. By John Bemelmans Marciano and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Ages: 7–10
The Gingerbread Witch
$11 BUY NOWAlexandra Overy's clever “fractured fairy tales” type of witchscapade, is a witch book that's out now just in time for Halloween. Told from the point of view of the gingerbread-turned-human-daughter of the witch (Agatha, of course!) in Hansel and Gretel, Maud storms off after a fight with her mother. Upon her return, she discovers that her mother has been pushed into the oven by a couple of nasty witch hunters—Hansel and Gretel. This forces Maud into a quest to find a magical spellbook that will hopefully bring her mother back. Incredibly clever, this would make a delightful autumnal bedtime story to read together. Ages: 8–12.
The Witch's Boy
$7 BUY NOWTumble through the enchanted forest of this story, written for kids grades 4-6, featuring Ned, a surviving twin and son of a witch. Action-packed, this story is full of rich characters and serious adventure. You’ll get lost in the brambles along with Ned and the Bandit King’s daughter. Ages: 9–14
The Thirteen Witches Trilogy
$7 BUY NOWJodi Lynn Anderson's fantasy trilogy features a young girl as the heroine, Rosie. She is the caregiver to herself and her mother because a curse is stealing her mom’s memory. Rosie vows to break the curse but must face dark magic and dark things to triumph. Ages: 9–13 or even a little older.
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