With Halloween around the corner, now is the perfect time to introduce some scary children’s books to your friends and family. These books can be age-appropriate, read together or alone, and enjoyed by all.

The cooler weather will allow children to spend evening hours curled up with a good book. It is also a great way to introduce the habit of reading to your kids. Horror books are more exciting and enjoyable for children than other genres, so this may become a lifelong fascination for them!  

How Specific Genres Can Encourage Children to Read

Some specific genres and books can catapult children onto a path of reading. Children who have never read before may get introduced to the wonders of a book because they found a genre they connect with.

Horror and scary books are one genre you can introduce to your children to get them interested in reading. With so many books available for so many age groups, you are bound to find something your children will enjoy.

Let’s look at some ways to introduce scary children’s books to your kids.

5 Ways to Help Your Children Get in the Mood for Halloween Reading

Here are five ways parents can help get their kids into Halloween reading activities!

1. Help Kids Differentiate Between Real and Make-Believe

One of the most essential things when introducing scary books to children is to help them differentiate between reality and fiction. Because this genre can be a great way to get kids reading, you must do this before buying any horror books for children.

Younger children have especially active imaginations, so they can be more severely affected by nightmare-inducing moments in fiction and it may cloud their perception of reality. The last thing you want to do is turn a child off from reading because they were frightened by a harmless book. As always, monitor what your child is reading and make sure it is age-appropriate.

2. Go Book Shopping Together

An excellent way to ensure your child reads age-appropriate horror books is to accompany them when purchasing them. All books have age limits and a brief synopsis of the book, so you can make sure your child is not reading something not for their age.

This is also a great way to connect with your child and, overall, it can be an enjoyable experience!

3. Invite their Friends to a Scary Books Reading Club

A great way to get your kids reading is to start a scary book reading club where all the children can sit together and read one book. This is perfect for Halloween, when you can decorate the house and put everyone in a spooky mood.

Children often feel more encouraged to do something when their friends do it, too. Peer pressure can work in your favour here.

4. Read Mystery Novels Together

Why not bond with your child by reading a creepy, suspenseful book together that you can enjoy? A mystery book is a great way to read together and can even be exciting as both of you sit together and turn pages, wondering what will happen next.

For younger children, pick shorter books you can read through in one or two sittings, as this will be more suitable for their attention spans.

5. Read Horror Books, then Watch the Movie

Reading a book before you watch the movie is a great way to encourage kids to read. There are so many horror flicks based on books, and it’s always interesting to discuss the differences between the original work and the adaptations. Ask them what they may have preferred in the book compared to the cinematic version or vice versa – you may be surprised at how well your child has engaged with the story!

Children’s Books Perfect for Halloween

Now that you have five easy ways to introduce Halloween children’s books to your kids, you need a list to buy from. You can pick up the perfect reading suggestions at Austin Macauley Publisher’s site.

Here are some recommended books for all age groups:

1. Frigity, The Witch: Halloween Dance
2. The Little Wonky Pumpkin
3. Escape From Camp Bedlam
4. Mika and the Land of Magic
5. The Around the Corner Man
6. The Secret of SmithTopia
7. The Phantom Sock Eater
8. Toby's Time Machine

Encourage Reading by Introducing Halloween Books

With some creativity and popular children’s books, you can put your child on a path of life-long reading. Giving children the motivation and interest to read is one of the most important things you can do as an adult.

Save time, pick up a book this Halloween, and introduce the reading habit to your child. They will thank you later.

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