A house makes different noises after the lights go out. The coat on the chair grows a shoulder, the closet door sits open exactly one inch too far, and the hallway to the bathroom becomes a distance that has to be run. Being scared is one of the first big feelings a child meets on their own, usually at night, when the rest of the house seems asleep. The best books about it do not argue the feeling away. They put the monster on the page where everyone can look at it — and quite often make it ridiculous.
Drawing on Bookroo’s collection of 986 children’s books about feeling scared, our editors picked thirteen that children will actually want to hear. Some offer comfort, some make fear look ridiculous, and a few deliver the fun of a good shiver while a child is safe beside a grown-up. Start with the shortlist below, then browse sturdy board books for the smallest listeners, picture books for the closet-door years, and chapter books for readers ready to manage the suspense themselves.
Two big yellow eyes, a long bluish-greenish nose, sharp white teeth — and then, page by page, the child sends every piece of the monster away.
Grover has read the title, he knows what is waiting at the end, and he will rope, nail, and brick the pages shut to keep the reader from getting there.
Three little bears take a light, a stick, and a rope into a spooky old tree, where every turn asks whether they are brave enough to keep going.
A mouse invents a monster with terrible tusks and knobbly knees to scare off predators, then walks straight into one that matches the description.
The boy finally confronts the closet with a popgun, and the nightmare on the other side bursts into tears.
Frances has a tiger in the corner, a giant at the window, and a crack in the ceiling that she is fairly sure has been moving.
Two shoes go clomp, one pair of pants goes wiggle, and something is following the little old lady all the way home through the woods.
Jasper Rabbit is certain the carrots from Crackenhopper Field are following him. Nobody else can see them.
An empty pair of pale green pants keeps turning up in the dark woods, walking around with nobody inside them.
A nervous mouse keeps a scrapbook of everything that frightens it, nibbling holes through the pages as the list grows.
The most decorated animal control officer in town falls off a roof chasing a raccoon that looks her in the eye and says her name.
Raina’s stomachaches keep arriving right before school, right before dinner, right before anything she is dreading.
Everyone in the village of Instep knows the Megrimum moans on the mountain above them. Egan decides to climb up and take a look.
Small, sturdy stories about dark rooms, odd noises, and the monster that turns out to be a coat on a chair — ages 0–4.
Chu's first school day brings nerves and a big sneeze. What will happen?
Two friends sail to the world's end, discovering home is where the heart is.
A toy doggie's fears test Baby's courage when Doggie goes missing.
Can Little Mouse conquer nighttime fears with Big Mouse's help?
A little bear learns to face his fears and find comfort.
Old Bear finds a scared Little Cub. Can they become a family?
Animals fear the dark, unaware they are the night creatures they dread.
Three baby owls wake to find their mother missing. Where is she?
Little Miss Muffet's peaceful meal is disrupted by curious creatures. Can she find her way back to her tuffet?
A raccoon overcomes fear of shadows with a loving gesture.
A monster's scare tactics fail when a child finds it huggable.
A toy horse fears the dark and monsters in a new room.
Read-alouds for closet doors, thunder, shadows on the wall, and the long hallway between the bedroom and the light switch — ages 3–8.
A brave tiger's only fear: worms. Can he overcome it?
A young mouse befriends a snake who has just moved to her town and is struggling to fit in at school
Two friends face their fears at an amusement park, discovering bravery in unexpected ways.
A cat named Pete spends the day at the beach with his mom and brother, trying surfing for the first time.
A shy cat must sing in front of his parents on Parents' Night, despite his fear of being embarrassed.
A beach day turns tricky when fears and forgotten suits collide.
A young bird decides to learn to fly despite her fear.
A famous egg who fell off a wall recounts his journey to overcome his fears and learn to fly.
Jo must conquer her fear of the sea to deliver mail and discover new adventures.
A young girl struggles with a growing worry that affects her daily life until she finds a way to overcome it.
A king bans darkness, but sleepless citizens demand change. Can he face his fears?
A grounded bird must find courage to soar to new heights.
Longer stories about ghosts that may not be ghosts, nerves that show up before school, and the fun of a scare a reader can close the book on — ages 6–11.
A cyclone whisks Dorothy to Oz. Can she find her way home amidst magical chaos?
A boy with a unique face faces school for the first time, seeking acceptance.
A young boy named Wiglaf enrolls in Dragon Slayers' Academy to learn how to slay dragons and bring home treasure.
Stranded on an island, Roxie must outwit bullies and crooks to survive.
Three children embark on a magical quest to find a legendary creature in a hidden land.
A century-old doll seeks adventure and mystery with new neighbors.
A young owl named Tag dreams of becoming an Owl of Valor and protecting his forest from the evil vulture Thorn, who is using dark magic to destroy Perodia.
A boy embarks on a daring quest to rescue his kidnapped toy from a villainous clown king.
A hidden refuge of magical creatures faces chaos when ancient rules are broken, unleashing dark forces.
Arthur must decide whether to open a mysterious envelope or face the unknown consequences.
A first grader faces her fears without her magical tutu. Can she find courage within?
Sam must face his fears when a ghost haunts his home.
