To the delight of little ones, it's the time of year for carving pumpkins and building scarecrows, friendly reminders that autumn has arrived and with it, the anticipation of Halloween.

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, that 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." Scholastic
• 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 some Halloween happenings:

• "Halloween Hoopla," Linthicum Library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26. Wear costumes to parade around the branch, for ages 2 to 5.
• "Halloween Hullabaloo," Mountain Road at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 26. Wear costumes for stories, songs, crafts and costume parade. For preschoolers.
• "Whooo's Ready for Halloween?" Crofton Library at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 and 10 a.m. on Oct. 26. For families, wear costumes for the traditional parade through the branch.
• "Boo Babies!" Crofton Library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 25. For little ones up to 24 months old.
• "Halloween Storytime," Broadneck Library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 6 p.m. on Oct. 27. For ages 2 to 5.
• "Spooky Stories for Little Ghosties," Edgewater Library at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26 and 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Wear costumes, 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.
• "Spooky Tales Storytime," Annapolis Library at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 25. Appropriate for 2-year-olds.
• "Boo! A Not-So-Scary Halloween Storytime," Provinces, 7 p.m. Oct. 25 and 10 a.m. Oct. 26. Stories and songs about pumpkins, goblins and ghosts. Wear costumes for the parade. Ages 2 to 5.
• "Itsy Bitsy Boo!" Provinces at 10 a.m. on Oct. 19. Finger play and songs for little ones up to 24 months.