Pumpkin season is officially here. Celebrate autumn and Halloween with these not-so-spooky books for little readers ages 1-5. All synopses are italicized and in blue. They have been provided by the publishers. Reviews are by Jessica.
INDESTRUCTIBLES: BABY LOVES FALL, By Stella Hong, Workman Publishing, Sept. 2, 2025, paperback, $5.99 (ages 0-3)
Jump into autumn (leaves) with this cozy fall book that’s indestructible!
Original Indestructibles™ are chew proof, rip proof, drool proof, and 100% washable—books that babies can really sink their gums into! Indestructibles are built for the way babies “read” (i.e., with their hands and mouths) and are:
· Rip Proof—made of ultra-durable tight-woven material
· Waterproof—can be chewed on, drooled on, and washed!
· Emergent Literacy Tool—bright pictures and few or no words encourage dialogic reading
· Portable—lightweight books can go anywhere, perfect for the diaper bag and for travel
· Safe for Baby—meets ASTM safety standards
—Synopsis provided by Workman Publishing
I wish this kind of book had been available when my daughter was little. Not only are the illustrations adorable, the book is incredibly light-weight and well-constructed.
PUMPKIN SPICE, By Arie Kaplan, Monique Dong, Grosset & Dunlap, Aug. 12, 2025, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 0-3)
A delicious celebration of fall that hits all the senses, complete with a recipe for a homemade pumpkin spice blend! Little ones will love cozying up with this board book and learning all about the delights of autumn.
Pumpkin Spice is getting ready to paint the leaves red, yellow, and orange for fall when she meets a talking pumpkin who introduces her to the real reason the leaves change color, before immersing her in the sights, smells, and tastes of the season.
Focusing on the senses, this board book celebrates all the reasons to love the fall—from the beautiful foliage to the delicious food to the joyful holidays. —Synopsis provided by Grosset & Dunlap
This sweet board book explores autumn through the senses. Excitement builds around the changing colors and tasty smells and spices. It’s a simple narrative with lush illustrations sure to grab attention.
WHERE’S THE WITCH?: A STROLLER BOOK, by Ingela P Arrhenius, Candlewick Press, July 15, 2025, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 0-2)
Five stylishly illustrated spreads introduce the Halloween season through a series of gently spooky creatures hidden beneath bright felt flaps, as well as a surprise mirror ending on the final page. Now available in a smaller format with a sturdy hook-and-loop strap, this stroller book is perfect for babies and toddlers on the go. —Synopsis provided by Candlewick Press
Babies love books, and this one is so sweet. With a strap to attach it to a stroller or carrier, it’s a great tactile option. Bright colors, simple illustrations and felt flaps make this one a good choice for Halloween.
THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR’S PEEKABOO HALLOWEEN, by Eric Carle, World of Eric Carle, July 22, 2025, Board Book, $9.99 (ages 0-3)
Celebrate Halloween with The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he hides among fall leaves, buckets of candy, and more in this interactive seek-and-find board book shaped like a pumpkin!
These Halloween animals
Look ready for the night.
Who’s that hiding among them,
Tiny, green, and bright?
Can you find The Very Hungry Caterpillar as he hides among jack-o’-lanterns, bats, and more? Put your searching skills to the test for the fall season! —Synopsis provided by World of Eric Carle
With rhythmic text and Eric Carle’s signature illustrative style, little ones will immediately be drawn to this dun board book. Sturdy board construction should hold up to heavy use.
IT’S TIME FOR HALLOWEEN (LAYERED VIEW), by Kathrin Fehrl, Gibbs Smith, July 8, 2025, Board Book, $17.99 (ages 0-3)
Follow along for trick-or-treating through the neighborhood on Halloween night!
Grab your hat, vampire bat
Fill your tummy, mummy
Dress it up, little pup
Howl at the moon, big baboon
Let’s raise a scare, grizzly bear
Now we’ve made a masquerade,
A spooky Halloween parade
No matter how you scare, I don’t care,
You’re my little boo and I love you! —Synopsis provided by Gibbs Smith
This very chunky board book will hold up to a lot of use. Little ones will be drawn to bright, friendly characters as they learn festive vocabulary words like ghost, pumpkin, cat, witch, mummy, and fairy. An interactive search element and textured pages will make this one a favorite.
THIS LITTLE MONSTER: A SPOOKY NURSERY RHYME, by Dori Elys and Kathryn Selbert, Little Simon, July 15, 2025, Board Book, $6.99 (ages 0-3)
This little monster went to the market.
This little monster stayed home.
This little monster brewed sweet treats.
This little monster made none.
Follow a group of adorably spooky friends as they prepare for the ultimate Halloween night. A shy ghost looms nearby, hoping to be invited to the celebration. Will these little monsters lead him all the way to the haunted home? —Synopsis provided by Little Simon
Friendly characters and bright colors are a delightful addition to this play on This Little Piggy.
ONE HAPPY HAUNTED HOUSE, by Jeffrey Burton, Neil Clark, Little Simon, July 15, 2025, Board Book, $8.99 (ages 1-4)
Come on a Halloween adventure in this sweet and spooky shaped board book with slider surprises that jump off the page.
I’m a happy haunted house, won’t you come and play?
What do you think is inside me today?
Let’s find out the fun way.
TRICK OR TREAT!
Tricks and treats abound in this shaped haunted house filled with surprises that slide out when the reader tilts the book! —Synopsis provided by Little Simon
This cute book features friendly characters and rhythmic text. The interactive bit is a little clumsy, but works when little ones “play” with the book. Pull tabs would have been better, but it’s fun nonetheless.
IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN (PEANUTS), by Kara McMahon, Charles M. Schulz, Scott Jeralds, Simon Spotlight, July 15, 2025, Board Book, $7.99 (ages 2-4)
A spooky season classic gets new life in this super chubby board book edition of the Peanuts gang’s whimsical Halloween adventures in It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
It’s Halloween night, and the Peanuts gang is busy dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and bobbing for apples. Meanwhile, Linus is waiting for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch and bring toys to all the children of the world. Could this be the year it finally appears? —Synopsis provided by Simon Spotlight
This edition of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown features a chunky, puffy cover that’s sturdy. Inside, you’ll find the classic story we’ve come to love.
Copyright © 2025 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
