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Fall is a season of wonder, filled with changing leaves, harvest festivals, and crisp air. Reading fall-themed books with children is a wonderful way to celebrate the season while teaching them about nature, community, and traditions.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite fall books for kids, organized by age group, along with engaging activities and discussion questions. I hope you find inspiration here and can’t wait to hear which fall books you’ll choose for your child or classroom!
Table of Content
- Why Read Books About Fall?
- The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Fall
- 11 Fall Books For Children
- What Fall Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Why Read Books About Fall?
Fall-themed books are perfect for introducing children to the beauty of nature’s cycles and the importance of seasonal traditions. Whether it’s learning about the transformation of leaves, the excitement of harvest festivals, or the coziness of autumn weather, fall books bring the magic of the season to life. Through these stories, children can build a deeper connection to the world around them, learn about gratitude and reflection, and engage in fun fall activities.
The Role of Books in Teaching Kids about Fall
Fall books offer valuable lessons about change, growth, and community. These stories often revolve around themes like harvest, preparation for winter, and working together, giving children insights into how nature adapts and how people celebrate this vibrant season.
Books about fall help kids understand the significance of traditions like apple picking, Halloween, or Thanksgiving, all while encouraging outdoor exploration and seasonal activities. Characters in these books often demonstrate cooperation and appreciation for nature, sparking meaningful conversations about the world.
How to Use Books about Butterflies with Children
Here are some tips to make fall books more interactive and fun for kids:
- Ask Open-Ended Questions: After reading, ask children how they feel about the changing seasons or what fall traditions they enjoy. Encourage them to share their favorite fall activities or imagine what animals do to prepare for winter. If in a classroom, use Turn and Talk to get all the children involved.
- Engage in Seasonal Activities: Follow up with hands-on activities like leaf hunts, apple crafts, or making autumn-inspired snacks. Have children write about their favorite fall moment or create art inspired by the season. These activities reinforce the concepts in the books while bringing the spirit of fall to life.
- Refer Back to the Books: When out on walks or during fall celebrations, reference the stories you’ve read. Whether you’re exploring fall foliage or preparing for Thanksgiving, connecting real-life experiences to the books makes the stories more meaningful.
- Involve Other Caregivers: Share the joy of fall books with other caregivers like grandparents or babysitters. By reading the same stories, they can continue the conversations and seasonal activities, enriching the child’s understanding and experience of fall.
11 Fall Books For Children
Younger Children (Ages 3-6)
#1 “Leaves” by David Ezra Stein
In this charming board book, a young bear is puzzled when the leaves on the trees start falling. He tries to put them back, but as fall turns to winter, he learns about the natural changes of the seasons.
The book introduces young readers to the concept of seasons and the cycle of nature. Through the bear’s curiosity, children learn about change and adaptation. The simple text and warm illustrations make it an ideal introduction to the wonders of fall.
- Activity Idea:
- Leaf Collecting Walk: Take children on a walk to collect fallen leaves, encouraging them to observe different shapes, sizes, and colors.
- Questions To Ask:
- How did the bear feel when the leaves started falling?
- Why do you think the bear wanted to put the leaves back?
- How does the story show the changes of fall?
#2 “Leaves” by David Ezra Stein
“Leaf Man” takes readers on an imaginative journey with a leaf-shaped man blown by the wind across different landscapes. The story is filled with beautifully crafted collages made from real leaves, making it a visual treat for children.
The book emphasizes imagination, nature, and exploration. The leaf man’s journey encourages children to see the beauty in nature and to imagine where leaves might go as they’re carried by the wind. It also fosters creativity through the artwork.
- Activity Idea:
- Leaf Man Collage: Let children create their own “Leaf Man” using real leaves and glue, encouraging them to imagine where their leaf man might travel.
- Questions To Ask:
- Where did the Leaf Man go on his journey?
- What kinds of landscapes did the Leaf Man travel through?
- How does the book make you think differently about the leaves you see outside?
#3 “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak
In this beautifully illustrated book, a young girl takes a walk and observes the changes in nature as summer turns to autumn. Along the way, she greets the animals, plants, and natural elements, asking them about the coming season.
This book highlights themes of observation, transition, and the changing seasons. It gently teaches children about the signs of fall and how nature prepares for winter. The text is poetic, and the illustrations capture the serenity of the season.
- Activity Ideas:
- Seasonal Chart: Create a chart showing the differences between summer and autumn, such as weather, animals, and plants.
- Questions To Ask:
- What changes did the girl notice as summer turned into autumn?
- How do the animals and plants prepare for autumn in the story?
- What is your favorite part of the season changing from summer to fall?
Lower Elementary Children (Ages 7-9)
#4 “The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming
In this funny and lighthearted story, a squirrel is confused and upset when he notices that his leaves are disappearing. Convinced that someone is stealing them, he learns that it’s just the changing of the seasons.
The book touches on themes of misunderstanding, curiosity, and seasonal change. It humorously shows how natural events like falling leaves can be confusing for animals (and kids), while also educating young readers about the changes in autumn.
- Activity Idea:
- Squirrel Craft: Create a squirrel using construction paper and leaves, imagining what the squirrel might do as more leaves fall.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why did the squirrel think someone was stealing his leaves?
- What did the squirrel learn about the changing seasons?
- What did the squirrel do when he realized the leaves were just falling naturally?
#5 “The Scarecrow” by Beth Ferry
This tender story tells of a lonely scarecrow who befriends a baby crow. Over time, the scarecrow and the crow form an unlikely bond, showcasing themes of friendship, kindness, and compassion.
The book focuses on themes of love, friendship, and loyalty. It teaches children that friendship can blossom in unexpected places and that acts of kindness can have a profound impact. The gentle, poetic text makes it a heartfelt read for fall.
- Activity Idea:
- Scarecrow and Crow Puppet Craft: Create simple puppets of a scarecrow and crow, and act out the story, emphasizing their friendship.
- Questions To Ask:
- How did the scarecrow feel before he met the crow?
- Why did the scarecrow decide to help the baby crow?
- What did you learn about friendship from this story?
Check Out Fall Mindfulness Books and More!
#6 “Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson
In this heartwarming story, Fletcher the fox is concerned when the leaves start falling from his favorite tree. He tries to protect the tree, but in the end, he learns that the tree is preparing for winter.
The book highlights themes of change, worry, and acceptance. Through Fletcher’s experience, children learn that change is a natural part of life and that it can bring about beautiful new beginnings, like the glistening tree at the end of the story.
- Activity Ideas:
- Seasonal Change Discussion: Talk about how different animals, like Fletcher, prepare for the fall and winter seasons.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why was Fletcher worried about the tree losing its leaves?
- How did Fletcher try to help the tree?
- What did Fletcher learn about the seasons and change?
#7 “Sophie’s Squash” by Pat Zietlow Miller
Sophie picks a squash at the farmer’s market and forms a special bond with it. As the squash starts to decay, Sophie must learn how to say goodbye and plant the squash’s seeds, resulting in new growth.
The book explores themes of love, loss, and renewal. It beautifully teaches children about the cycle of life and how things we love can live on in new ways. Sophie’s attachment to her squash is both humorous and touching.
- Activity Ideas:
- Planting Squash Seeds: Have children plant squash seeds and talk about the life cycle of plants, just like Sophie’s squash.
- Questions To Ask:
- Why did Sophie love her squash so much?
- What happened when the squash started to get old?
- How did Sophie’s squash live on even after it decayed?
Upper Elementary Children (Ages 9-11)
#8 “Hopefully the Scarecrow” by Michelle Houts
“Hopefully the Scarecrow” tells the story of a scarecrow who spends his life watching over a field, hoping for the chance to make friends and be useful beyond just scaring away birds. Through the seasons, the scarecrow remains hopeful, and his wish comes true in an unexpected way.
This book emphasizes themes of hope, patience, and purpose. It teaches children that even when things seem monotonous or lonely, hope can lead to unexpected friendships and new purposes in life. The story also touches on the importance of perseverance.
- Activity Idea:
- Hope Journal: Encourage children to keep a “hope journal” where they write or draw about things they are hopeful for, tying it back to the scarecrow’s patience.
- Questions To Ask:
- What did the scarecrow hope for throughout the story?
- How did the scarecrow’s wish come true in the end?
- What can we learn about being patient from the scarecrow?
#9 “Fall Mixed Up” by Robert Raczka
This humorous and imaginative book playfully mixes up all the familiar signs of fall. In this topsy-turvy world, pumpkins grow on trees, squirrels fly south for the winter, and fall traditions are hilariously out of order.
The book is a celebration of creativity and imagination, encouraging children to think outside the box. It teaches readers to laugh at the unexpected and appreciate the familiar signs of fall through a fun, jumbled lens.
- Activity Idea:
- Mix-Up Drawing: Have children draw their own version of “fall mixed up” where they can create silly versions of fall traditions (e.g., pumpkins growing on trees).
- Questions To Ask:
- What funny mix-ups did you notice in the story?
- How would you feel if pumpkins grew on trees and squirrels flew south?
- What did the book teach you about creativity and imagination?
#10 “Little Homesteader: A Fall Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom” by Angela Ferraro-Fanning
This fall-themed treasury combines recipes, crafts, and homesteading wisdom to help families connect with nature and celebrate the season. It’s a hands-on guide for kids and adults alike, full of activities that celebrate the beauty of fall.
The book emphasizes themes of nature appreciation, self-sufficiency, and creativity. It encourages families to engage with the natural world through cooking, crafting, and simple homesteading activities, fostering a connection to the fall season and its bounty.
- Activity Idea:
- Apple Recipe Challenge: Choose one of the simple recipes from the book and have a fun cooking session, making apple pie, cider, or another seasonal treat.
- Questions To Ask:
- What are some fun fall activities mentioned in the book?
- How can you use the natural world to make crafts or recipes?
- What is your favorite recipe or craft idea from the book?
#11 “Apple Picking Time” by Michele B. Slawson
This nostalgic story follows a young girl and her family as they take part in the annual apple harvest. The book captures the essence of fall traditions and the joy of working together as a community to gather the season’s bounty.
The book highlights themes of family, tradition, and hard work. It shows children the importance of community and working together to achieve a goal. The simple but evocative text and illustrations capture the joy and fulfillment of harvest time.
- Activity Idea:
- Apple Art Project: Use cut-up apples dipped in paint to create apple stamp art, celebrating the beauty and simplicity of fall fruits.
- Questions To Ask:
- How did the family work together during the apple harvest?
- What do you think is special about apple-picking season?
- How does the story make you appreciate the fall season and its traditions?
What Fall Book(s) Are You Going To Read Later?
Fall books for kids offer a cozy, educational way to celebrate the season and learn about nature’s beauty and traditions. Whether you’re reading about falling leaves, harvests, or seasonal festivals, these stories invite children to experience the magic of fall.
I hope you’ll try out some of these fall books with the children in your life. What fall-themed books are you planning to read? Let me know by tagging me on Instagram @LittleYellowStarTeaches!
Happy reading!
Prima at LittleYellowStar
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