Families who loved The Berenstain Bears and the Haunted House by Jan Berenstain often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing strange shapes in the dark or expresses hesitation about exploring new, unfamiliar places. It is a perfect tool for de-escalating the 'spooky' factor of nighttime or seasonal decorations by showing that things are rarely as scary as they first appear. Through the familiar Bear family, children learn to use curiosity to overcome anxiety. This lift-the-flap mystery follows Brother and Sister Bear as they explore a supposedly haunted house, only to find that every 'ghost' and 'monster' has a perfectly normal, non-threatening explanation. It is ideal for preschoolers who are beginning to distinguish between fantasy and reality, providing a safe, interactive way to process fears of the unknown while reinforcing the security of family exploration.
