Now that fall is almost here (8 days!), a different feeling is starting to fill the air. The world is quieting down as we all return to routine, and our thoughts turn to sweaters, warm beverages, and colorful autumn leaves. This is the perfect season to cozy up with your kids to read some books. Below are a few of my favorite autumn read aloud books for kids. And while there may be a few ghosts or goblins in the bunch, I promise you, they’re not scary!

Not-So-Scary Halloween Read Aloud Books

Dragon’s Halloween-Dav Pilkey (Ages 4 and up)
This hilarious Halloween tale is bound to have your whole family laughing. Dragon loves
Halloween, and he wants to find the biggest pumpkin he can so that he can make the scariest Jack’ O Lantern anyone’s ever seen! Unfortunately for Dragon, all that’s left in the pumpkin patch are six small pumpkins that his friends tell him will never be scary. The book follows Dragon’s misadventures as he tries to make the perfect Halloween using not-so-perfect pumpkins.

Princess Posey and the Monster Stew-Stephanie Greenie (Ages 5 and up)
Princess Posey is a heartwarming series of early reader chapter books and this Halloween version is just as special. Princess Posey is excited about Halloween and her class’s Halloween party. But Halloween can be a little scary, and when her teacher tells her there’ll be a monster stew at the party, Princess Posey feels very nervous. This book shows her conquering her fears and seeing that it’s okay to be a little scared if you’re surrounded by your friends.

Invisible Inkling: Dangerous Pumpkins-Emily Jenkins (Ages 6 and up)
The second in the Invisible Inkling series, this crazy story follows a young boy named Hank and his invisible pet. Hank’s sister terrifies him every year with incredibly scary tricks, but this year Hank has sworn to have revenge on her. His invisible pet Inkling loves Halloween, especially the pumpkins. Follow along with Hank and Inkling hijinks as they come up with a plan to get revenge on Nadia, try to pick out a costume for Halloween, and as Hank attempts to stop Inkling from eating each and every pumpkin in the neighborhood.

The Little Leftover Witch-Florence Laughlin (Ages 6 and up)
Poor Felina, a little witch, accidentally breaks her broom on Halloween night, leaving her left behind when all the other witches fly home. She’s stuck with the humans, but she soon learns that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The Doon family takes her in and shows her the love that comes with being a part of a family.

Sir Simon: Super Scarer-Cale Atkinson (Ages 4 and up)
Simon is a ghost who’s a professional scarer. He loves haunting little everyday objects, but then he gets assigned to haunt an entire house, which is a huge job for a little ghost. When he learns the house is home to a boy, he gets an idea to make his job a little less difficult. Your kids will love laughing along with Simon’s antics in this cute autumn read aloud book for kids.

Autumn Themed Read Aloud Books

Lawrence in the Fall-Matthew Farina (Ages 4 and up)
Lawrence the fox is upset when his teacher asks them to bring in a collection. All the other kids seem to have wonderful collections, but Lawrence doesn’t have anything to share with his class. His father takes him on a walk in the autumn woods and on that walk, Lawrence notices the beautiful yellow, orange, and red leaves falling from the trees. Now Lawrence has a beautiful Fall themed collection to share with his class! This book is whimsically illustrated and it may inspire your kids to go out into the woods to start a leaf collection of their own.

The Ugly Pumpkin-Dave Horowitz (ages 4 and up)
In a clever twist on the classic ugly duckling story, a young pumpkin in the pumpkin patch is sad when all the other round, perfect pumpkins are chosen and he is not. He realizes he doesn’t look like the other pumpkins, so he leaves the pumpkin patch in search of a place where he belongs. At the end of the story, he finds out that the reason he never looked like the other pumpkins is because he’s not a pumpkin—he’s a squash!

Leaf Man-Lois Ehlert (ages 4 and up)
The author of this gorgeous book crafts every illustration out of real fall leaves and your kids will be inspired to make their own leaf man after reading this book. Follow along as the leaf man blows in the wind, drifting over beautiful autumn scenery. The writing in this book is aimed at younger children, but everyone will enjoy the illustrations and using their imagination to think of where leaf man will float to next!

Pumpkin Spice: The Friendship Garden-Jenny Meyerhoff (Ages 7 and up)
Anna and her friends in the community garden are excited about the pumpkin growing contest. They grow the biggest and best pumpkin they can, but their massive pumpkin disappears right before the Windy City Pumpkin Fest! Where did it go? Will they be able to find it before the festival?

Happy Fell: Arnold and Louise-Erica S. Pearl (Ages 6 and up)
Arnold and Louise both want to celebrate Fell (the forest animals’ version of Fall) but they can’t agree on how to best do it. Arnold wants to stay indoors, cozy and warm, making popcorn balls. However, Louise wants to go outside and make leaf piles. They decide to separate and celebrate Fell in their own way, but soon they realize the most important thing about this season is missing—spending time with each other.

Whether you’re looking for some not-so-spooky autumn read aloud books for kids, or ones with a colorful and cozy fall theme, you’re bound to find a few new favorites on this list. So, cozy up with your kids, pick up a book, and prepare to get lost in the sights, sounds, and colors of the season.