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If you’re anything like me, a new season equals a fresh start, a chance to explore and teach your little ones about the changes in nature and the world around them. The elementary school teacher in me screams, what better way to do that than with a book?! Here is a list of some of my favorite autumn books that I have read with my preschool-age children and my former school-age students.
Favorite Fall Books for Kids
Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
Both of my boys love this simple autumn story of Duck and Goose searching to find a pumpkin. We’ve read it countless times, and the predictable story pattern allows my almost 3-year-old to read it with me to his little brother.
Ten Red Apples by Pat Hutchins
10 Red Apples is another predictable pattern book that is a simple counting story. I used to read this book all the time when I taught first grade, and the kids would all be reading aloud with me by the end.
Autumn’s First Leaf by Steve Metzger
I love this story about a leaf who starts changing color before his leaf buddies do, and how he feels different and the emotions that come along with his changes — an excellent book for teaching little kids about acceptance and that it’s okay to be different.
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
I love this book for many reasons. First, it features a girl as a farmer, and it teaches kids about the care and work involved in growing your food. It also shows all the yummy things that can be created using apples — a great seasonal story for before or after your trip to the apple orchard.
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
I have a small teacher crush on author Gail Gibbons. I adore her simple and down to Earth nonfiction books for kids. I have read many of them to my students over the years. This book is excellent for explaining the year-long life cycle of an apple tree and illustrates what happens to the tree during each season.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Another author, the former teacher in me loves! The artwork is the best part of this book and features real leaf collages and other items from nature that kids will see this time of year. Leaf Man is a great book to read to kick off a leaf hunt activity or to inspire kids to make their own leaf man (or woman) collages. Older kids could use their picture to write a story.
Jeb Scarecrow’s Pumpkin Patch by Jana Dillon
One of my favorite features of autumn is scarecrows. I love this imaginative story by Jana Dillon that has a scarecrow as the farmer who is trying to keep crows out of his pumpkin patch. Kids will enjoy reading about the different ways Jeb tries to keep the crows out, and it allows them to brainstorm solutions along the way.
The Littlest Pumpkin by R.A. Herman
I’m a sucker for this story about a little pumpkin who waits patiently at the farm stand to be adopted by the right family. She dreams of becoming a jack-o-lantern, going to Halloween parties, and the like. She tries to keep up morale as all the larger and more attractive pumpkins find families until it is Halloween night, and she still needs a home. Will she find one or be doomed to remain homeless at the pumpkin stand all alone?
The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano
My first-grade students used to love this book, and so did I. Find out how Spookly, different from everyone else in the patch, learns to find his niche and celebrate his uniqueness!
What are your family’s favorite go-to stories for fall? What do your older kids like to read? Do you have any favorite Halloween books for kids?
by Dawn T. (Volo)
Dawn is a former 1st grade and early childhood teacher turned to stay at home mom to 2 boys Dawn and her boys love journeying around Lake County and the Chicago suburbs to check out new places to play, restaurants, farms, gardens, museums, or anything that might be of interest to families with young children.
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