Whether they’re friendly, metaphorical, silly, or super creepy, monsters are awesome characters for kids. They’re perfect for Halloween, but kids will love these monster books so much they’ll probably end up reading them all year. Luckily, we found plenty of great selections for ages ranging from high school to stock up on.
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You are reading: Monster books for kids
books for preschool and elementary school children about monsters
1. & 2. how i met my monster and hey! that’s my amanda noll monster
It’s a little surprising when a group of colorful creatures visit Ethan’s room one night to audition to be his personal monster. However, once Ethan meets Gabe, he finds that having him around feels good.
3. go away, big green monster! by ed emberley
This classic has been helping young children scream their fears for decades. we’ll never get tired of reading it out loud!
4. the monster at the end of this book by jon stone
There may not be a more nostalgic children’s book about monsters than this one! grover, you are the best.
5. have you seen my monster? by stevelight
Help the main character search for a monster hiding in clever places throughout an amusement park and learn about shapes along the way! We were delighted to discover this children’s book about monsters after also telling Have you seen my dragon?
6. there’s a monster in your tom fletcher book
Get ready for a roaring laugh when you read it aloud. This interactive story invites kids to shake, tilt, blow and surprise a persistent monster straight out of the book.
7. i want to be in a sean taylor scary story
A friendly purple monster desperately wants to star in a creepy story. This engaging read will make kids laugh and is a fun opportunity to talk about story elements.
8. leonardo the terrible monster by mo willems
Leonardo isn’t very good at being a scary monster, in fact he’s terrible at it. It turns out that being a good friend is much more satisfying. If you want to share a children’s book about monsters that’s more sweet than scary, this is a longtime favorite!
9. me and my monster by nadiya hussain
worries can feel as crushing as, well, a monster sitting on top of you. this boy learns that talking about his “worry freak” with his grandmother helps him deal with it. an enriching story for all children.
10. monster trouble! by fredrickson lane
There are no more worrisome monsters for young children than the ones that (supposedly) live under the bed. Winnifred tries her best to get rid of the monsters in her bedroom so she can finally get a good night’s sleep.
11. even monsters need haircuts by matthew mcelligott
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This is a long-time favorite children’s book about monsters, because it gets more fun with every read. Every full moon, a boy opens his father’s barbershop to monsters in need of a fresh cut or shave.
12. julia donaldson’s gruffalo
This British import is one of children’s favorite books about monsters. Kids can rhyme as you read about a warty, bony-kneed forest monster…and the mouse that tricks him.
13. hattie and hudson by chris van dusen
A lot of monsters are really scary, but others just have a bad reputation. When Hattie befriends a large green monster that lives at the bottom of her lake, she is determined to show her community that she is not to be feared.
14. maurice the inhuman by amy dixon
With his penchant for peace and eating kale, Maurice isn’t as monstrous as his parents want him to be. He is sent to the Abominable Academy for Brutal Beasts, but instead of learning how to be fierce, Maurice teaches his classmates an important lesson about being true to yourself.
15. my big bad monster by a.n. kang
doubt can be the worst monster of all. Start important conversations with kids about ways to confidently give up fears with this understated yet meaningful allegory.
16. zombies don’t eat vegetables! by megan lacera and jorge lacera
If you’re looking for children’s books about monsters featuring zombies, but not too scary, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your collection. (Bonus: It’s also available in Spanish.) The organs, brains, and “arm panadas” served by their parents just aren’t palatable to Mo Romero. So, he comes up with a plan to convince his family that vegetables are delicious.
17. this book is full of monsters by guido van genechten
This ridiculously funny title is part how-to book, part catalog of wacky monsters. keep it in your back pocket for when your read-aloud time needs a spooky-fun boost.
18. the princess in black series by shannon hale and dean hale
We love the monster-fighting Princess Magnolia and her team of brave friends in each installment of this favorite early chapter book series!
19. troy cummings doom series notebook
Just after moving to a new town, Alexander finds a notebook filled with intricate diagrams of creepy monsters. Soon, he finds himself leading the S.S.M.P, the super-secret monster patrol.
20. hannah barnaby monsters and kids series
The books in this endearing new series of illustrated chapter books are great read-aloud options for K-2 or independent reading options for new chapter book readers. The friendship between a boy and the monster that lives under his bed is definitely offbeat, but very sweet.
books for elementary and middle school children about monsters
21. she made a monster: how mary shelley created frankenstein by lynn fulton
If you’re looking for a nonfiction children’s book about monsters to share with students, check out this biography. After a bad case of writer’s block while trying to put together a ghost story, Mary Shelley had a vision of Frankenstein in a dream.
22. what makes a monster?: discovering the world’s scariest creatures (world of weird animals) by jess keating
Here’s a clever teacher’s trick: Take advantage of kids’ fascination with monsters to teach some informational text features. From the vampire bat to the terrifying frog, this book is packed with interesting facts about real-life animal “monsters.”
23. sweep: the story of a girl and her monster hers by jonathan auxier
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Storytelling at its finest! this makes it a great read aloud class or a solid choice for kids who appreciate being swept up in a great story. Nan Sparrow, an orphan, makes an unlikely friend when she discovers a golem, a mysterious monster made of soot and ash, in her sad chimney sweep job.
24. the wolf monster and the great bad pizza battle by joey ellis
Here’s one for you reluctant readers and comic lovers! Wolfie Monster and her brothers must team up to save the family pizza business from the evil Lord Mudpant in this fun and fast-paced graphic novel!
25. series the last kids on earth by max brallier
Zombies and a cool bunch of friends wielding gadgets and gear to slay monsters? what more could elementary readers want in a series?
26. monster chaos by christopher eliopoulos
When Zoe finds a mysterious ring, she ends up in the middle of her favorite monster movie. Oh! This graphic novel has plenty of classic comic book action to draw readers in.
27. tom fletcher crunches
The creatures that live under beds are a fairly common occurrence in children’s monster books, but monsters that steal all the adults and exile them to a secret world? This novel really captures the imagination of children!
28. laura martin’s monster missions
In this futuristic story where oceans flood the land, battling sea monsters is a part of life for kids like Berkeley and Garth. extends kids’ fascination with monsters to real-life legendary deep-sea creatures.
29. a royal guide to killing monsters by kelley armstrong
Princess Rowan desperately wants the job as a royal monster slayer. Ella’s twin brother will inherit her position, but unforeseen events give Rowan a chance to shine in this exciting fantasy series.
30. the adventurers guild series by zack loren clark and nick eliopulos
This fantasy series is set in a world invaded by monsters. it has a huge, fascinating and relatable cast of characters and coming-of-age themes woven into the adventure. mid-grade gain!
31. water monster healer by brian young
While visiting his grandmother on her Navajo reservation, Nathan encounters a water monster, a sacred being from a Navajo creation story, and needs your help. this gets rave reviews when an upper elementary or middle school class reads aloud.
32. & 33. the cryptid hunter and the cryptid keeper by sandfish fisher
This duology stars clivo wren, whose father, following his father’s death, takes on an unexpected role as a seeker of rare monsters.
34. a nanny’s guide to joe ballarini’s monster hunting series
Any aspiring middle-grade babysitter will be drawn to this secret society of monster-chasing tweens and teens.
Are you excited to share these children’s books about monsters? Also check out our best halloween books for kids and must read scary mystery books for kids.
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