Bring on the cooler weather and some cool children's books!
Even though the weather is still warm in my area, the calendar says September and that means I'm ready for all things fall! Autumn is my favorite season. I love the cooler temperatures, the apples, the pumpkins (even the pumpkin spice), the football, the hayrides, the sweaters, the changing leaves, and all the rest!
A visit to a farm? I'm there.
Hot apple cider? Pour me a cup.
A soup simmering in the slow cooker? Already set to low for 8 hours.
Once I'm done frolicking in that early autumn fun, my attention quickly turns to cozying up with a blanket and some favorite fall picture books.
These 9 books are largely for the preschool crowd, but early elementary-aged children will also enjoy the stories and amazing artwork spread on these pages.
Hocus Pocus, It's Fall! by Anne Sibley O'Brien and illustrator Susan Gal is a magical look at the changing seasons. The pictures are rich with bountiful colors, and many of the pages fold open and out to reveal even wider views of autumn's splendor. Get ready to call out the magic words!
Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur and illustrator Leslie Evans turns fall into 26 painstakingly crafted poems. Each poem is an acrostic which can be read vertically and horizontally; all while celebrating the sights, sounds, and feelings of the season. After you've read this one, try your hand at writing your own acrostic poem.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn written and illustrated by Kenard Pak follows a young girl as she sets out on a walk to bid farewell to one season and to welcome another. The changes take place before her eyes, and yours, through beautiful artwork. This book reminded me to slow down and look around instead of hurrying about my day so I don't miss out on the transitions happening all around me this time of year.
Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Chad Cameron, is a hilarious take on the season. The story is told in rhyme, but there are mistakes on every page and in every picture. For example, squirrels fly south when the weather turns, and the month of Septober is followed by Octember. Kids are challenged to spot the funny errors throughout the book. This would make a great read aloud choice, especially in a group setting. Be ready to laugh!
You can help kids become book reviewers with my FREE book review template! To add this tool to your fall reading plan, just sign up for email alerts here on my blog. You'll get the link to my FREE printable sent right to your inbox (check the spam folder if it doesn't come through right away)! Click on the Log In/Sign Up button at the top of the page to get started today!
Pick a Circle, Gather Squares: A Fall Harvest of Shapes by Felicia Sanzari Chernesky and illustrated by Susan Swan celebrates not just the colors but the shapes of the season. This story told in simple verse follows a family on a trip to the pumpkin patch. The children are invited to pick out the shapes they see along the way. You'll find more than just circles and triangles, and the collage-style artwork is engaging for readers.
Tap the Magic Tree written and illustrated by Christie Matheson is technically not just about autumn, but is so much fun it should be read any time of year. This book follows the life of a tree through every season, but calls on readers to get involved on every page by tapping, touching, blowing, and more. I think this would be a wonderful read aloud for any family, especially if you have little ones whose attention seems to wander mid-book. During our most recent time with this story, my daughter read it aloud and had me do the interactive motions. It was a fun twist that made our time together even more memorable!
Count Down to Fall by Fran Hawk, illustrated by Sherry Neidigh, lets readers count backwards from 10 to 1 through autumn in the forest. You'll meet animals preparing for the winter and learn about the types of leaves falling from the trees. This is an up close look at nature in its fall cycle. A bonus with this book-- a section at the end with educational material, questions, and activities.
One Green Apple by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Ted Lewin is written for slightly older children, probably 5 or 6 and older. This picture book tells the story of an immigrant girl on her first field trip with her new classmates. She doesn't speak the language and feels alone even though she is surrounded by other children. Then she and her classmates discover something which will bring all of them together. This is a story worth hearing and sharing with your family.
Finally, Leaf Man written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert is practically a modern classic which has inspired many a preschool activity. Leaf Man goes where the wind takes him, and there's so much to see on the way! The irregularly shaped pages add literal and figurative layers to this whimsical story. Make sure you linger over the illustrations, created with real fall leaves, to see all of the amazing details. Once you're done, head outside to find the makings of your own Leaf Man (or Leaf Woman)!
Do you have other books you read with your children every fall? Which season inspires you to read most? Let me know in the comments. Best wishes for further reading!
I'm so grateful to all of my new readers! If you'd like updates whenever I post something new, use the Log In/Sign Up button at the top of the page to receive email alerts. You can follow me on Instagram @kara.c.white. I share frequently about new blog posts and all things bookish! I'd also be grateful if you'd share my posts on your social media platforms. Thank you!
Comentarios