Whether they’re friendly, metaphorical, silly, or super creepy, monsters make awesome kid lit characters. They’re perfect for Halloween, but kids will love these books about monsters so much they’ll likely end up reading them year-round! Luckily, we found plenty of great picks for ages ranging up to middle school to stock up on.
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Preschool and Early Elementary Kids’ Books About Monsters
1. & 2. How I Met My Monster and Hey! That’s My Monster by Amanda Noll
It’s a bit of a surprise when a troupe of colorful creatures visits Ethan’s bedroom one night to audition to be his personal monster. Once Ethan meets Gabe, though, he finds that having him around just feels right.
3. Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
This classic has helped young kids shout away their fears for decades. We’ll never get tired of reading it aloud!
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4. The Monster at the End of This Book by Jon Stone
There’s perhaps not a more nostalgic kids’ book about monsters than this one! Grover, you’re the best.
5. Have You Seen My Monster? by Steve Light
Help the main character search for a monster hiding in clever spots throughout a fairground—and learn about shapes along the way! We loved discovering this kids’ book about monsters after also counting our way through Have You Seen My Dragon?
6. There’s a Monster in Your Book by Tom Fletcher
Get ready for uproarious laughter when you read this one aloud. This interactive story enlists kids to shake, tilt, blow, and surprise a persistent monster right out of the book.
7. I Want to Be in a Scary Story by Sean Taylor
An endearing purple monster desperately wants to star in a spooky story. This engaging read will have kiddos laughing, and it’s a fun chance to talk about story elements.
8. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
Leonardo isn’t great at being a scary monster—in fact, he’s terrible at it. It turns out being a good friend is a lot more satisfying. If you want to share a kids’ book about monsters that is more sweet than scary, this is a longtime favorite!
9. My Monster and Me by Nadiya Hussain
Worries can feel as crushing as, well, a monster sitting on you. This boy learns that talking about his “worry monster” with his Gran helps him manage it. An empowering story for all kids.
10. Monster Trouble! by Lane Fredrickson
There are no monsters more troubling to little kids than those that (supposedly) live under the bed. Winnifred bravely tries everything to get rid of her bedroom monsters so she can finally get a good night’s sleep.
11. Even Monsters Need Haircuts by Matthew McElligott
This is a longtime favorite kids’ book about monsters, because it gets more fun with every read. Every full moon, a boy opens his dad’s barbershop to monsters in need of a fresh cut or a shave.
12. The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
This British import is a perennial favorite kids’ book about monsters. Kids can rhyme along as you read about a warty, knobbly-kneed forest monster … and the mouse who outsmarts him.
13. Hattie and Hudson by Chris Van Dusen
Many monsters are genuinely frightful, but others just get a bad rap. When Hattie befriends a big green monster who lives at the bottom of her lake, she’s determined to show her community that he’s not to be feared.
14. Maurice the Unbeastly by Amy Dixon
With his penchant for peace and munching on kale, Maurice isn’t as monster-like as his parents want him to be. They send him to the Abominable Academy for Brutish Beasts—but instead of learning to be fierce, Maurice teaches his classmates an important lesson about being true to yourself.
15. My Big Bad Monster by A.N. Kang
Self-doubt can be the worst monster of all. Launch important conversations with kids about ways to confidently renounce fears with this spare but meaningful allegory.
16. Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! by Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera
If you’re looking for kids’ books about monsters that star zombies, but aren’t overly gruesome, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your collection. (Bonus: It’s also available in Spanish.) The organs, brains, and “arm-panadas” his parents serve just aren’t appetizing to Mo Romero. So, he concocts a plan to convince his family that veggies are delicious.
17. This Book is Full of Monsters by Guido Van Genechten
This ridiculously fun title is part how-to book, part catalog of absurd monsters. Keep it in your back pocket for when your read aloud time needs a spooky, funny boost!
18. The Princess in Black series by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
We love monster-fighting Princess Magnolia and her team of brave friends in every single installment of this favorite early chapter book series!
19. Notebook of Doom series by Troy Cummings
Right after he moves to a new town, Alexander finds a notebook full of intricate diagrams of creepy monsters. Soon, he finds himself leading the S.S.M.P—the Super Secret Monster Patrol.
20. Monster and Boy series by Hannah Barnaby
The books in this endearing new illustrated chapter book series make great K-2 read-alouds or independent reading options for new chapter book readers. The friendship between a boy and the monster who lives under his bed is definitely unconventional, but so sweet.
Upper Elementary and Middle School Kids Books About Monsters
21. She Made a Monster: How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein by Lynn Fulton
If you’re looking for a nonfiction kids’ book about monsters to share with students, check out this biography. After a tough case of writer’s block while trying to craft a ghost story, a vision of Frankenstein came to Mary Shelley in a dream.
22. What Makes a Monster?: Discovering the World’s Scariest Creatures (The World of Weird Animals) by Jess Keating
Here’s a sneaky teacher trick: Leverage kids’ fascination with monsters to teach some informational text features. From the vampire bat to the horror frog, this book is full of tons of cool facts about real-life animal “monsters.”
23. Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier
Storytelling at its best! This makes for a great class read aloud or a solid choice to hand kids who appreciate getting swept up in a great tale. Nan Sparrow, an orphan, makes an unlikely friend when she discovers a golem—a mysterious monster made from soot and ash—at her dismal chimney sweeping job.
24. Wolfie Monster and the Big Bad Pizza Battle by Joey Ellis
Here’s one for your reluctant readers and comic-lovers! Wolfie Monster and his brothers must band together to save their family pizza business from evil Lord Mudpant in this fast-paced and fun graphic novel.
25. Last Kids on Earth series by Max Brallier
Zombies and a cool band of friends wielding monster-slaying gadgets and gear? What more could elementary readers want in a series?
26. Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos
When Zoe finds a mysterious ring, it ends up landing her in the middle of her favorite monster movie. Yikes! This graphic novel has plenty of classic comic book action to engage readers.
27. The Creakers by Tom Fletcher
Creatures that live under beds are relatively common fare in kids’ books about monsters, but monsters who steal all the grownups and exile them to a secret world? This novel really captures kids’ imaginations!
28. The Monster Missions by Laura Martin
In this futuristic tale in which the earth is flooded by oceans, battling sea monsters is part of life for kids like Berkeley and Garth. Extend kids’ monster fascination to real-life legendary creatures of the deep sea.
29. A Royal Guide to Monster Slaying by Kelley Armstrong
Princess Rowan desperately wants the job of Royal Monster Hunter. Her twin brother stands to inherit the position, but unanticipated events give Rowan the chance to shine in this exciting fantasy series starter.
30. The Adventurers Guild series by Zack Loren Clark and Nick Eliopulos
This fantasy series is set in a world overrun by monsters. It’s got a huge, fascinating, and relatable cast of characters and coming-of-age themes woven into the adventure. Middle grade win!
31. Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young
While visiting his grandmother on her Navajo reservation, Nathan stumbles upon a Water Monster, a Holy Being from a Navajo Creation Story—and it needs his help. This gets rave reviews as an upper elementary or middle school class read aloud.
32. & 33. The Cryptid Catcher and The Cryptid Keeper by Lija Fisher
This duology stars Clivo Wren, whose father’s death hurls him into an unexpected role as a seeker of rare monsters.
34. A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting series by Joe Ballarini
Any aspiring middle grade babysitter will be drawn in by this secret society of monster-chasing tweens and teens.
Excited to share these kids’ books about monsters? Also check out our best Halloween books for kids and must-read spooky and mystery books for kids.
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