Halloween Storytime

The storytime was for a preschool-aged group at my library, and expands a bit off what I did last year.

Today's storytime was brought to you by the letter "H." So on the board when the kids walked in was:

Read Aloud Books

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid Of AnythingWritten by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd

A little old lady is trying to get home late one night, walking alone through the woods. Good thing nothing scares her! Not even a big, scary, orange pumpkin head! This book was such a hit with these kids. The repetition meant everyone could get involved and had just the right amount of scary Halloween flair.

Go Away, Big Green Monster!Written and illustrated by Ed Emberly

Even as the monster starts to form, you can chase it away piece by piece! It's a classic, and a repeat from last year. Honestly, the kids really enjoy yelling "GO AWAY" really loud, repeatedly.

Click, Clack, Boo!: A Tricky TreatWritten by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Lewin

Farmer Brown does not like Halloween--it's scary! But the animals in the barn are having a party anyway, and duck wants to make sure the farmer is invited. A simple Halloween story to wrap up the set, it had fun sound effects and a great ending. Definitely a good one.

Songs & Rhymes

Hello Song

5 Little Pumpkins Song (with video)

Action Rhyme: “Monster, Monster”

Monster, monster, turn around

Monster, monster, touch the ground

Monster, monster, jump up high

Monster, monster, touch the sky

Monster, monster, touch your nose

Monster, monster, grab your toes

Monster, monster, touch your knees

Monster, monster, sit down please

Song: If You’re a Monster and You Know It

(Tune: If you're happy and you know it)

If you’re a monster and you know it clap your paws

If you’re a monster and you know it clap your paws

If you’re a monster and you know it

and your really want to show it

If you’re a monster and you know it clap your paws

…wave your claws, give a roar, stomp the floor

Goodbye Song

Games & Activities

Flannel: Yellow Moon, What Did You See?

I used the same pieces as last year, but did a Brown Bear Brown Bear type of rhyme where I started with the yellow moon and went through each creature and color.

And then, because I also wanted to have some fun, we played the hiding game with a little piece of "candy." I hid the candy behind one of the creatures and the kids had to guess where it was. Then we'd say, for example, "Green Witch! Trick or Treat! Give me something good to eat!" and see if the candy was behind her. It was a ton of fun.

Activity: Trick-or-Treating!

Then the kids got to practice actual trick-or-treating after making their own treat bags at our craft station! I didn't take a picture because it was super simple--just brown lunch sacks with stickers and markers to decorate. Then they'd go around the room to the different librarians helping out, say "Trick-or-treat!" and get some treats! Super cute.

Other Book Ideas

The MonstoreWritten by Tara Lazar, illustrated by James Burks

Fright Clubby Ethan Long (Author)

Frankensteinby Rick Walton (Author), Nathan Hale (Illustrator)

Goodnight Goon: a Petrifying ParodyWritten and illustrated by Michael Rex