10+ Best Scary Books for 5-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect spooky read that'll delight your little one without keeping them up at night? You're in the right place! Our roundup of scary books for 5-year-olds strikes just the right balance of fun and fright. From gentle ghosts to playful witches, we’ve scoured the shelves to find tales that are just spooky enough for young readers. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to captivate your budding bookworm!

Fun Scary Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A kind witch invites various animals to join her on her broom, much to the frustration of her cat. Their teamwork is put to the test when they face a fearsome dragon.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun and rhythmic read that teaches about kindness and teamwork in an exciting, slightly spooky setting.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories about witches and animals, and those who appreciate tales of friendship and cooperation.

• The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: This unique story personifies the dark as a character, exploring a young boy's fear of the dark living in his house.
  • Why we recommend this book: It creatively addresses and offers comfort regarding a common fear among children, using a gentle approach that eases into the subject of fear itself.
  • Perfect for: Children who might be afraid of the dark and enjoy stories that turn scary things into friendly characters.

• Ten Timid Ghosts by Jennifer O'Connell
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Counting Book
  • Synopsis: This engaging book counts down as ten ghosts are scared away from their home by a wicked witch, only to plot their return.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines spooky elements with counting practice, making it educational and fun for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love Halloween and enjoy interactive counting books.

• There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Emotional Growth
  • Synopsis: A child confronts the nightmare living in his closet and finds a way to overcome his fear.
  • Why we recommend this book: It tackles the theme of facing and overcoming fears in a way that is accessible and reassuring for young children.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who have nighttime fears and enjoy stories that help them deal with emotions.

• Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown
  • Genre(s): Horror, Humor
  • Synopsis: Jasper Rabbit loves carrots until he starts believing that they are following him. His fear grows as he tries to escape the creepy carrots.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book masterfully blends humor with a light horror theme, making it exciting without being too scary for young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who appreciate a good laugh mixed with a slight thrill.

Educational Scary Books for 5-Year-Olds

• Monster Trouble! by Lane Fredrickson, illustrated by Michael Robertson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: Winifred Schnitzel isn't afraid of the monsters under her bed, but she is tired of their nightly visits disrupting her sleep. She tries various humorous methods to get rid of them.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, creativity, bravery
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a delightful story that turns the typical monster narrative on its head with a brave protagonist and a lot of laughs.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy a twist on the usual scary stories and those looking for a light-hearted approach to overcoming fears.

• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Adventure
  • Synopsis: A fearless old lady encounters a series of spooky items in the woods, but she refuses to let them scare her, finding a clever way to deal with her eerie followers.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Courage, sequencing, prediction
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages bravery and resourcefulness, with repetitive, rhythmic phrases that engage young readers.
  • Perfect for: Children who like repetitive, rhythmic stories and those learning how to face fears with courage.

• At the Old Haunted House by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by Nate Wragg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Rhyme
  • Synopsis: In a spooky, old house, various creatures prepare for a grand monster ball. The story is told through fun, rhyming text that builds up to a festive Halloween night.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Counting, rhyming skills, Halloween traditions
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a playful, spooky read that introduces young readers to rhyming and counting in a fun, festive way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy Halloween themes and festive, rhyming narratives.

• Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Halloween
  • Synopsis: A witch grows a giant pumpkin but needs help from various Halloween creatures to release it from the vine in time for pie.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Teamwork, problem-solving, sequencing
  • Why we recommend this book: It showcases the importance of working together through a fun and festive Halloween story.
  • Perfect to: Kids who love Halloween and stories about teamwork and collaboration.

• Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Humor
  • Synopsis: A skeleton tries various humorous methods to get rid of his hiccups, with help from his friend, Ghost.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, humor
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a funny, light-hearted story that will have kids giggling as they root for Skeleton to get rid of his hiccups.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy silly stories and those looking for a fun way to explore problem-solving.

Challenging Scary Books for 5-Year-Olds

• The Wolves in the Walls by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Dave McKean
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Horror
  • Synopsis: Lucy hears noises from the walls of her house. She tries to warn her family that wolves are living in the walls, but they don't believe her until the wolves come out.
  • Why this book is challenging: The narrative structure and the dark, complex illustrations offer a deeper, more immersive experience that can be challenging for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a thrilling read that combines suspense with a courageous young protagonist, encouraging children to trust their instincts.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy eerie stories and exploring their imaginations.

• The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Supernatural
  • Synopsis: A witch's broom loses its power and is left with a widow who discovers that the broom has some remaining magic. The story unfolds as the widow learns more about the broom's abilities.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle narrative and the detailed, atmospheric illustrations require a higher level of comprehension and attention to detail.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches about kindness and misunderstanding, wrapped up in a mysterious, magical tale.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who appreciate a blend of magic and mystery with a touch of suspense.

• Vampirina Ballerina by Anne Marie Pace, illustrated by LeUyen Pham
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Gothic
  • Synopsis: A young vampire girl dreams of becoming a ballerina and works hard to overcome various obstacles to fit in and excel in her dance class.
  • Why this book is challenging: The blend of gothic elements with a story about personal growth presents themes of acceptance and dedication in a unique setting.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a charming story that promotes perseverance and acceptance, showing that anyone can achieve their dreams with determination.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love dancing and stories about pursuing dreams, regardless of the challenges.

• The Bake Shop Ghost by Jacqueline K. Ogburn, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Mystery
  • Synopsis: A haunted bake shop is the setting for this tale, where a new baker must appease the ghost of the previous owner to successfully run the shop.
  • Why this book is challenging: The intricate plot and the emotional depth of the characters provide a complex reading experience that can be challenging for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines elements of mystery and the supernatural with heartwarming resolutions, encouraging problem-solving and empathy.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy ghost stories and mysteries with a heartwarming twist.

• Leo: A Ghost Story by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Christian Robinson
  • Genre(s): Fantasy, Friendship
  • Synopsis: Leo is a friendly house ghost who is misunderstood by the family he tries to help. He sets out to find a new place where he can be accepted and makes a new friend along the way.
  • Why this book is challenging: The themes of loneliness, acceptance, and friendship are explored through subtle storytelling and minimalist illustrations, which can be sophisticated for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to themes of friendship and acceptance, told through the unique perspective of a ghost.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy gentle ghost stories and learning about the importance of friendship and understanding.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Introducing young readers to scary books can be both fun and educational, especially when you incorporate engaging exercises to enhance their reading experience. Here are some tailored exercises that can help 5-year-olds develop good reading habits while enjoying their spooky stories:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: A pre-reading exercise where you and your child look through the pictures of the book before reading.
  • How it helps: Helps children predict the story and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to stimulate curiosity and imagination.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You read a sentence or passage, and then your child repeats it after you.
  • How it helps: Improves fluency, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
  • Tips: Emphasize expression and pause after reading to give your child a chance to mimic your style.

• Role Play
  • What it is: Acting out parts of the book with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and makes the reading experience more memorable.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the activity more exciting and engaging.

• Story Map
  • What it is: Drawing a map that outlines the main events or scenes in the book.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the sequence of events and key details.
  • Tips: Keep the map visible while reading to refer back to it, reinforcing the story's structure.

• Question Jar
  • What it is: A jar filled with questions that your child answers after finishing the book.
  • How it helps: Encourages critical thinking and comprehension.
  • Tips: Tailor questions to be open-ended to encourage more detailed responses.

By incorporating these exercises into your reading routine, you'll not only make reading more interactive and enjoyable for your child but also lay a strong foundation for their future reading habits. Happy spooky reading!