8 Picture Books that Celebrate the Beginning of Fall
I love the seasonal transition from summer to fall, and I especially loved it during my time as a children’s librarian. Summer time was large and bustling crowds, sweaty summer reading themed t-shirts, and piles of summer reading prizes. It was fun, to be sure— I truly loved the summer energy at the library. But just about the time when it became all too much, the older children would go back to school and I was left with my tiny preschoolers. The transition to fall meant smaller groups of kids, cozy sweaters, and all new seasonal material for story time. After a hot summer where locals all but completely rejected spending any time in the natural world, the arrival of autumn invites Texans to discover all of the shifts happening in world outside. I love fall books that emphasize the changes in the natural world, inviting children to observe and delight in what fall brings. Here are eight of my favorite story books about the fall season.
Hello, Fall! by Deborah Diesen
Hello, Fall! by Deborah Diesen is the perfect place to begin. In this colorful picture book, a grandfather and his granddaughter take a walk outside to discover everything the new fall season has to offer. Together, they watch squirrels hide acorns, listen to the rustling of the leaves, and eat yummy apples. They discover new fall flowers, pick pumpkins, and jump in the colorful leaves. When things get chilly, the pair head inside for warm drinks and snuggles. With breathtaking illustrations and comforting language, this book is like a cozy autumn hug.
By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert
The harvest moon shines brightly upon Apple Hill Farm, where everyone is hard at work this time of year. Weary farmers carry heavy bags of corn, tired from the long day’s work. Autumn winds blow through the night and, like magic, bring the leaves to life. The leaf people are getting ready for the big celebration— the arrival of autumn! They gather together to eat the bounty of fall harvest treats— children and adults alike, laughing and feasting together. This picture book is sure to tickle the wild imagination of your preschooler!
Sneeze Big Bear, Sneeze! By Maureen Wright
Sneeze Big Bear, Sneeze! is a funny and unique addition to your fall collection. When the wind starts to blow the leaves off of the trees, Big Bear mistakenly believes that his sneezes are what is causing the leaves to fall. Despite the attempts from the wind to explain that she is responsible for the strong autumn breeze, Big Bear believes his sneezes are inspiring the falling apples and the flying geese. When Big Bear learns the truth, he knows that it’s time to head inside and get cozy.
It’s Fall! by Renée Kurilla
It’s Fall! by Renée Kurilla is a newer release that I recently discovered and fell in love with immediately. With bright and festive language and the sweetest rhyme scheme, this book is a delightful celebration of everything we love about fall. From new school supplies to cozy clothes, crunchy leaves to Halloween, there is so much to love about this time of year. Charming illustrations lead readers through autumn, all the way to Thanksgiving. This book reminds me of just how many simple delights are a part of this season!
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenaard Pak
In Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, a young girl observes the changing seasons through a conversation with nature as she walks through the woods. She notices the changes in the trees, the behavior of the bugs and animals, and the flowers that bloom in the late summer. The natural world speaks to her through its magical autumn shift, inviting her to hear the rumble of the thunder and feel the chill in the air. The girl says a ceremonious goodbye to the summer season and gives a warm greeting to autumn. I’m crazy about the watercolor illustrations in this one.
Mouse’s First Fall by Laura Thompson
This picture book is the perfect introduction to fall for young toddlers. In Mouse’s First Fall by Laura Thompson, Mouse and Minka take a fall walk outside and encounter all of the new fall colors and shapes. After examining the round, pointy, and smooth leaves in their many colors, the pair of mice count the leaves while they pile them. After a game of hide-and-seek, Mouse and Mink celebrate the beauty of a brand new season. This picture book is perfect for taking outside with your little one to observe the changing natural world.
Lawrence in the Fall by Matthew Farina
In this gorgeously illustrated autumn story, a little fox name Lawrence is unsure about what to share at school for collection show-and-tell. When Papa hears that Lawrence is worried about it, he takes Lawrence to the woods to learn about collections. The two explore the woods together until they encounter a raging storm that separates them. All alone, Lawrence discovers the beautiful changing trees, collecting the fallen leaves one by one. When Papa finds him, Lawrence is happily building his collection, and the two discover all of the leaves the forest has to offer. When it’s time for Lawrence to present his collection to the class, he is proud of all he’s learned.
Summer Green to Autumn Gold by Mia Posada
Full of simple scientific facts about leaves and their changing colors, Summer Green to Autumn Gold is a perfect primer for a aspiring young botanist. This book shows charts of common tree leaves so that young readers can identify their shapes with ease. The author notes the process by which the leaves change colors, explaining the green pigment of chlorophyll and the special job it has to make food for trees and other green plants. When the trees no longer need the chlorophyll in the cooler months, it disappears, leaving the leaves lovely shades of orange and yellow.
Thanks for reading my list of books all about the autumn season. To stay updated on my latest blog posts, join my email newsletter below.
