Patch Picks: Halloween Books and Library Activities for Little Goblins

To the delight of little ones, it's the time of year for carving pumpkins and building scarecrows. Jack-o'-lanterns, costumes, parties, candy corn, trick-or-treating and crafts make it a memorable time of year—and reading a book with your child adds to the experience.

Local librarian Heather Leonard provided four top Halloween picks for preschoolers to the early grades. These picks offer good illustrations, color and aren't too long—three important factors to consider when choosing a book, Leonard said.

Let your child's imagination soar with these top picks:

• Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman, is "repetitive and fun to read aloud," Leonard said, adding that the theme teaches teamwork and the illustrations are excellent. 
• Pumpkin Eye by Denise Fleming, for preschoolers, has "just the right amount of spookiness," according to the Scholastic website. 
• Go Away Big Green Monster by Ed Emberley, Caldecott medalist, for readers in kindergarten through second grade "to help children overcome their fear of monsters." 
• Mouse's First Halloween by Lauren Thompson, a picture book with colorful illustrations for kindergarten through first grade.

All Anne Arundel County libraries are hosting Halloween events. Here's a list of Halloween happenings:

• "Halloween Storytime,"  at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 for ages 2 to 5. 
• "Whooo's Ready for Halloween?"  at 7 p.m. on Oct. 26. For families, wear costumes for the traditional parade through the branch.
• "Spooky Stories for Little Ghosties,"  at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Wear costumes, for ages 2 to 5.
• "Halloween Hoopla," Linthicum Library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26. Wear costumes to parade around the branch, for ages 2 to 5.
• "Who's There?" Maryland City at Russett at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Come in costume for Halloween stories, songs and a parade for ages 2 to 7.
• "Halloween Hullabaloo,"  at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 26. Wear costumes for stories, songs, crafts and costume parade for preschoolers.