Goblins are what happens when a fairy tale wants a creature small enough to sneak through a window and troublesome enough to ruin the whole evening. They steal babies, hoard treasure, raid dungeons, run markets after dark, and serve villains who ought to know better; occasionally, once a story lets one speak for himself, the goblin turns out to be the most sensible person in the room. That range is the fun of the shelf. A goblin can be the thing a child outwits, the unlikely friend nobody trusts, or the hero who has to rescue everyone else.
Bookroo’s collection of 90 goblin books runs from bright picture-book mischief to genuinely eerie folklore and middle-grade quests. Our editors chose 15 favorites with the goblins at the center: a Caldecott Honor tale of eight nights and eight monsters, Maurice Sendak’s unsettling rescue story, a National Book Award winner about forbidden theater, Korean folklore in graphic-novel form, a castle full of secret passages, and several excellent arguments over whether goblins or unicorns are worse. Start with the shortlist, then browse picture books for ages three to eight or chapter books and graphic novels for readers six to twelve.
Eight nights, eight goblins, and one traveler who has to outwit them all before Hanukkah can begin.
Adventurers raid a quiet dungeon and carry off Skeleton, so his goblin friend goes outside to get him back.
Goblins steal Ida’s baby sister and leave a changeling made of ice, so Ida climbs out the window after them.
A boy searching for his missing brother joins a goblin theater troupe in a city where wearing masks is forbidden.
Seven greedy goblins hunt rainbows, drink their colors, and discover that the flowers have planned a rescue.
Two siblings follow their missing grandmother through a door and into a Korean folktale full of dokkaebi, rabbits, and one hungry tiger.
Mina slips into the Goblin Market for adventure, and her careful sister has to follow before the market takes its price.
Princess Irene finds a hidden stairway while the goblins under the mountain prepare to break into her castle.
Gilbert the goblin has prepared a complete case against the glittery unicorns who moved in next door.
A goblin who hides his face notices an empty chair at one family’s table and decides to sit down.
A twelve-year-old goblin witch has one week to save her ghost friend before a sorceress destroys the mall that traps him.
Jack and Lilly chase an ogre through a portal to rescue Maddy, then find a goblin king waiting on the other side.
An elf historian is fired by catapult into goblin territory to deliver a peace offering and secretly report on the enemy.
Mr Gum raises an extremely smelly goblin army, and Polly has three impossible challenges in which to stop him.
William hears moaning behind the castle walls, where a sealed door has kept a goblin secret for far too long.
Clever travelers, stolen rainbows, midnight markets, lonely goblins, and monsters funny enough for story time — read-alouds for ages 3–8.
A goblin claims dragons are the worst, but is he truly more fearsome?
A goblin's quest to find a yeti reveals unexpected truths in the frozen tundra.
Magic hats stolen threaten to ruin the summer carnival. Can they be found in time?
Can two friends outsmart goblins to save Christmas sparkle?
A mummy's spooky gifts lead to a Halloween countdown full of surprises.
Can Kirsty and Rachel save Twinkle the hamster from Jack Frost's goblins?
Can two friends rescue a magical guinea pig before it's too late?
Seven jewels are missing, and Fairyland's magic is fading fast.
Seven jewels are missing, and Fairyland's magic is fading fast.
Seven jewels are missing, and Fairyland's magic is fading. Can the fairies restore their powers?
Can Ginny Goblin find the perfect pet without causing chaos?
A mischievous goblin defies rules to uncover a mysterious box's secrets. What's inside?
Underground kingdoms, goblin armies, forbidden plays, castle mysteries, and illustrated quests for independent readers ages 6–12.
Can Rachel and Kirsty recover Addison's stolen magic before April Fool's Day is ruined?
A toothache leads to stolen magic. Can two friends save the Tooth Fairy's world?
Fairy magic stolen, desserts ruined. Can two friends save the day?
A girl and her unicorn navigate spooky parties, snow days, and friendship challenges.
A group of friends team up to solve a mystery involving a magical storm and a dragon that is eating the local electricity and magic, causing widespread power outages and disruptions to their daily lives.
Can Rachel and Kirsty recover stolen charms to save wedding magic from Jack Frost's mischief?
A group of unicorns and their friends help a bored goblin princess use her imagination to solve problems in the forest.
A fairy's magical items are stolen, threatening birthdays everywhere. Can they be saved?
Magic stolen, fashion in peril. Can two friends save the day?
A magic hoop is missing. Can two friends outsmart goblins to retrieve it?
Goblins threaten summer camp's magic. Can it be saved?
Can two girls save Christmas from Jack Frost's mischief?
