Children’s Books to Celebrate Autumn
This list includes my family’s favorite books to read in Autumn. All of these are great for preschoolers and beyond, and some of these are also wonderful for younger toddlers. I would recommend previewing books before reading them to your child. I always do this to make sure they’re appropriate for my child’s stage, in line with our family’s values, and it also gives me a chance to think about how to present the book and tell the story.
Why read fall themed books with your child?
It’s exciting for my daughter when her favorite seasonal books come out of storage or when we pick up a stack of seasonal books from the library. Seasonal books help us to celebrate the natural rhythms of the seasons in our home. They also give young children an idea of what happens when the seasons change and what to look for out in the real world. I notice my daughter points out things from books that she observes from the books we read: wearing warmer clothes, leaves changing color, leaves falling to the ground, squirrels collecting acorns, etc.
What about storage of seasonal books?
I keep seasonal books in a bookcase in my bedroom where they stay tucked away all year until they are needed again. I only own a handful of seasonal books because storage is at a premium in my family’s small apartment, so I get many books from the library. When it comes to seasonal library books, I recommend planning ahead and placing a hold on the books you want two weeks ahead of time (or longer for the most popular titles).
Fall Themed Book List
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Fletcher thinks his favorite tree is sick when the leaves start falling, but then he gets a wonderful surprise as he learns what happens when the seasons change.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
A beautiful book for teaching about what changes when autumn arrives.
Autumn
A lovely little book with beautiful illustrations. With no text, this book is perfect for practicing story telling. This book is great for babies and toddlers, but my almost five year old still likes looking at the pictures and telling her own little story about fall.
Pumpkin Soup
A sweet and soothing story about three friends that love to make pumpkin soup, with lessons about friendship and sharing.
Woody, Hazel, and Little Pip
A whimsical story about acorn children that go on adventure when the wind sweeps them away on a fall leaf.
Stone Soup
A true classic with themes of sharing, caring, community, and working together.
Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash
A silly, cute, and short story for autumn!
Ox-Cart Man
A story about the value of hard work, simple living, and the changing seasons.