Monsters have long captivated the imaginations of readers young and old, providing just the right blend of terror and fascination. Whether they’re hiding under the bed or lurking in dark forests, monsters can teach valuable lessons in facing fears, building courage, and embracing our own unique qualities.
Here are 34 scarily fantastic kids books about monsters that will spark both excitement and curiosity in young readers!
1. “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak
2. “The Monster at the End of this Book” by Jon Stone and Michael Smollin
3. “Go Away, Big Green Monster!” by Ed Emberley
4. “I Need My Monster” by Amanda Noll
5. “Monsters Love Colors” by Mike Austin
6. “My Teacher is a Monster! (No, I Am Not.)” by Peter Brown
7. “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson
8. “There’s a Nightmare in My Closet” by Mercer Mayer
9. “Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds
10. “The Dark” by Lemony Snicket
11. “The Slightly Annoying Elephant” by David Walliams
12. “Leonardo, the Terrible Monster” by Mo Willems
13. “There’s a Monster in Your Book” by Tom Fletcher
14. “Monster Trouble!” by Lane Fredrickson
15. “The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions” by Anna Llenas
16. “Little Shop of Monsters” by R.L. Stine
17. “Mixed-Up Monsters” by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet
18. “A Squiggly Story About Monsters” by Andrew Larsen & Mike Lowery
19. “Monster & Son” by David LaRochelle & Joey Chou
20. “Not Now, Bernard” by David McKee
21. “I Don’t Want to Be a Frog” by Dev Petty & Mike Boldt
22. “Monstersaurus!” by Claire Freedman
23. “Monsters Love School” by Mike Austin
24. “Love Monster and the Scary Something” by Rachel Bright
25. “The Shape of Me and Other Stuff” by Dr. Seuss
26. “Frankenstink! Garbage Gone Bad” by Ron Lightburn
27. “The Spider King’s Daughter” by Chibundu Onuzo
28. “Monster Musical Chairs” by Stuart J. Murphy
29. “The Monsters are Coming!” by Elizabeth Schoonmaker
30. “Boo!” By Robert Munsch
31. “The Monster at Work” by Sarah Dyer
32. “Swamp Monsters” by Jen Vaughn & Vera Brosgol
33. “Even Monsters Go to School” by Lisa Wheeler & Chris Van Dusen
34. “Bookaboo: The Growling Horror of the Icy Tundra” by Salah Mason & Lucy Truman
These thrilling stories featuring monsters exude charm, creativity, and important life lessons for young readers aged 3-12 years old – or anyone who enjoys a good scare! So why not gather around a flashlight on a dark night, snuggled beneath the covers, and dive into these monstrous tales with the little ones?
