Tikki Tikki Tembo
Because there just aren’t enough picture books about children falling in wells, we have Tikki Tikki Tembo. The book explores the relationship between two brothers, Tikki Tikki Tembo No Sa Rembo Chari Bari Ruchi Pip Peri Pembo and his little brother Chang. When the little brother falls in the well, his short name means that he can get help quickly. But when the older brother falls in the well, his very long name prevents him from getting help. The book has a slightly ambivalent ending when Tikki Tikki Tembo lies ill after his time in the well.
The Witches
This Roald Dahl classic pits an enterprising orphan against a group of witches. The boy who tells the story remain nameless. He tells about how his grandmother warned him about witches, but he didn’t believe her. That is, until he meets one. When he stumbles into the Grand convocation of witches, the Grand High Witch turns him into a mouse. He tries to return home, but no one believes him, until he finds his grandmother. Together they stop the witches and save England from their dastardly plots. Unfortunately, the narrator’s grandmother is unable to return him to human form. So he remains a mouse.
Miss Nelson is Missing
For many kids, there is nothing scarier than walking into class and seeing a substitute teacher. But for the kids in Room 207, it is even worse. They were used to having Miss Nelson, the nicest teacher in the whole town. So, when Ms. Viola Swamp shows up barking orders, the kids are terrified. They go on a hunt for their beloved Miss Nelson. But Miss Nelson has a few tricks up her own sleeve. When she returns, both she and the kids discover how important it is to be polite and kind, no matter what age you might be.
Bunnicula
Told form the perspective of Harold, the Monroe family dog, this book looks at how the family accepts a new pet rabbit. Harold, who believes he is part Russian Wolf Hound, is a little upset when his favorite child, Toby, brings home a rabbit. The boy announces that he found the rabbit next to the theater showing Dracula. When the young rabbit sprouts fangs instead of the normal buck teeth, Harold and Chester, the family cat, become convinced the rabbit is really a vampire. The pair steps up to try to save the family from this “threat.”
Pumpkin Moon
This book has few words, but absolutely gorgeous illustrations tell the story of what Jack-o-Lanterns do after the trick or treaters go to bed. Much like Snowmen at Night, the pumpkins have a delightful time, dancing and flying through the air. A bright orange harvest moon looks down on the shenanigans until it becomes clear that the moon is a giant Jack-o-Lantern itself. Witches, ghosts and other friendly monsters join the grinning pumpkins as they celebrate Halloween Night.
Room on the Broom
While riding over the countryside one dark night with her cat, a witch loses her hat and other items. She chases them over hill and dale, but finally must ask for help. A variety of animals offer to help, but only if they can have a ride on her broom. She slides over and makes “Room on the Broom.” But as more and more animals get on board, the broom breaks, dropping them all into a swamp with a greedy Dragon. But the witch uses her generous nature to save them all. This rhyming picture book makes a great conversation starter for diversity and inclusiveness.
Georgie
This sweet book explores the life, or after life, of Georgie the sweet little ghost who haunted the Whittaker’s little house. He creaked the loose board on the stairs and squeaked the parlor door every night. That was the signal for the Whitakers to go to bed. But one day, Mr. Whitaker fixes the stairs and the door. With nothing to do, Georgie explores new option. But the Whitakers found that they missed their creaks and squeaks. Georgie figures out a way to save the day.
The Old Black Witch
This classic book was re-issued in 2012, almost fifty years after it was originally released. It tells the story of a young boy named Nicky and his mother who move into an old house with the idea of creating a New England Tea Room. There is just one problem: An Old Witch already lives there. At first, Nicky is afraid of her, but as time passes, he learns to accept her and enjoys visiting her up in the attic where she makes her brews. The Old Witch even lends a hand and makes her bewitching blueberry pancakes. But one night, two thieves break in, trying to steal the family’s hard-earned money. That’s when the Old Black Witch steps in to teach them a lesson and saved the day.
Boogie Knights
In Lisa Wheeler’s picture book, a little prince explores a castle that is filled with ghosts, goblins, witches and seven dancing knights. This book tells a beautiful dual story of both the creatures that come out to Boogie and two children becoming friends. In the first story, Seven knights each come out as different monsters begin to dance at a Monster Bash. In the second story, the little prince runs into the ghost of a little princess and the two are afraid of each other. When they get over their fright, the two join the ball with all the monsters. This rhyming book will quickly become a favorite.
Pumpkin Jack
In Pumpkin Jack a young boy named Tim carves his very first Jack-o-Lantern. He loves his creation. So after Halloween, he is loathe to part with it. Instead he places the pumpkin in the garden and watches as his sculpture decomposes in the wind and the weather. This book offers a gentle lesson in change, death and the ephemeral nature of art.