Bonaparte Falls Apart by Margery Cuyler illustrated by Will Terry Crown Books for Young Readers Ages 3 – 7 | $17.99 This cute little book about a little skeleton boy who feels like he doesn’t fit in has a happy ending when he finds a new furry pal with the help of his friends. Light sketch-like illustrations follow his journey to keep his bones together. 
Hansel & Gretel by Bethan Woollvin Peachtree Publishers Ages 5 – 9 | $16.95 Willow is a good witch, but her patience is tested when naughty kids Hansel and Gretel stop by in a new book available this month. This retelling of the famous tale gives a unique twist and a surprise ending. Maybe these kids should learn to behave! The nearly black and white illustrations offer up a pop of orange for a perfect hint of Halloween. 
How to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan illustrated by Lee Wildish Random House Children’s Books Ages 4 – 8 | $17.99 Silly and colorful illustrations adorn each page in this how-to guide on finding a ghost and … scaring him. A playful twist on encouraging kids to use their imagination. 
Marvelous Makeable Monsters: 21 STEAM Projects that Light Up, Buzz, Launch and Occasionally Chomp by Sam Haynor Young Voyageur Press Ages 6 – 12 | $17.99 Halloween is all about monsters, so why not make a few of your own? Two little clever characters (made out of LED lights) turn this DIY book into storytime while you create easy-to-make mini monsters. Each creation features easy-to-follow instructions and how it correlates with STEAM. Available in stores Tuesday, Oct. 9. 
Monster Magic by La Zoo Gakken Plus Ages 3+ | $12.99 Kids will love how this book (featuring four dry-erase markers) gives them control of the final touches on the illustrations. Each slick page allows you to draw, erase and start again. Follow the story and draw what it suggests or get as creative as you like. The possibilities are endless. 
Vampirina in the Snow by Anne Marie Pace illustrated by LeUyen Pham Disney-Hyperion Ages 3 – 5 | $17.99 The Vampirina Ballerina series, based on the Disney Junior TV show, hits shelves Tuesday, Oct. 2 with a new story. Vampirina tells you about the countless fun all the monsters (and you) can have in the snow like sledding, ice skating and more. She gets into detail on the proper way to have a snowball fight. Most pages are filled with more than one illustrated scene, too. 
Who Says Boo? Baby’s First Halloween Book by Highlights Ages 3 months – 3 years | $7.99 Here’s a board book filled with colorful photographs of babies dressed up in different animal costumes. Read aloud to Baby in a repetitious pattern with the word “boo” and end with a shiny Mylar mirror for Baby to see himself, too.
CLASSICS!
Monster Stew by Patricia Rae Wolff (Golden Books, 2001) for ages preschool and older … The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain (Random House, 1978) for ages 2 and older … The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone (Golden Books, 2003) for ages 3 – 7 … The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda D. Williams (Harper-Collins, 1986) for ages 4 – 8 years.
