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Come With Me on Halloween's surprise ending will delight young readers.

As October 31 draws near, we bring you another edition of Ask a Librarian, with Halloween book recommendations from Ilene Abramson, director of children's services for the Los Angeles Public Library.

Thanks so much to Ms. Abramson for this spooktacular list.

Tucker’s Spooky Halloween by Leslie McGuirk 
Even the youngest child can get into the spirit of Halloween with this board book about Tucker the dog.  Tucker wants to wear a scary outfit but everyone labels him “cute.” When he finally makes his goal he manages to scare away the trick-or-treaters.  This is a simple story for very young tots.  Ages 2-4


Come with Me on Halloween by Linda Hoffman Kimball; illustrated by Mike Reed
All the usual ghosts, skeletons, bats, and mummies are hanging around when a dad and his son enter a spooky old house.  Pictures and rhyming text mesh to introduce the essential Halloween elements to preschoolers.  A surprise ending will delight the reader.  Ages 3-4

Halloween Sky Ride by Elizabeth Spurr and illustrated by Ethan Long     
On her way to the Witches’ Wobble festivities, Mildred the witch gives a mummy, skeleton, ghost, pumpkin, black cat and bat a lift on her broomstick.  After a bit of a disappointment at the gala the new friends find fun, food and frolics at a human Halloween party.  Delightful illustrations leap out at the reader and help make this book a funny addition to the holiday genre.  Ages 3-4

There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Bat!  by Lucille Colandro; illustrated by Jared Lee 
Instead of a fly the old lady swallows a bat, a cat, a ghost and a goblin.  When she finally swallows a wizard her indigestion is over and she can commence trick-or-treating.  Lively illustrations keep children giggling.  Ages 3-5

Orange You Glad It’s Halloween, Amber Brown?  by Paula Danziger; illustrated by Tony Ross
Pumpkins take center stage in this installment of the popular Amber Brown series.  Amber goes through the day of Halloween drawing pumpkins, eating all things orange and hoping that her parents will not argue on the big night.  Especially fun are the many references to other children’s books. Grades 2-4

The Book of Lies by James Moloney   
This fantasy is about a boy who is brought to an orphanage and given a new identity by a wizard and a magical book.  He has to find his true self, with the help of a couple of other foundlings. Boys will especially like this tale of adventure and discovery. Grades 4-6

Field Guide to Monsters by Johan Olander   
Written as a serious guide to monsters this book is made up of funny, fictitious animals. A Latin name is assigned and diet, habitat and life cycles are relayed.  Hilarious black-and-white drawings accompany the text.  Some of the beasts are:  Northern Boulder Beast, Shadow-Caster, Slobber Bug and the Googly-Eyed Wart Flopper.  Bathroom humor and warnings that the monsters can be human eaters abound. A great way to get a group going would be to ask kids to make their own beasts and give them descriptions. Grades 4-6

Wizardology: The Book of the Secrets of Merlin by Dugald A. Steer, illustrated by Anne Yvonne Gilbert 
Who can resist an authentic looking tome on spells and magic relayed by none other than Merlin?  Tools, spells and enchantments make up this rich looking book that is filled with secrets from wizards and magicians.  Elizabethan language is sprinkled throughout the parchment looking pages to add a flavor of mystery.  Grades 5 and up