12 Favorite Children’s Books for Fall
Enjoy our 12 Favorite Children’s Books for Fall!
It’s here! Well, almost here… but really autumn beings on September 1st in our house. Even when it still 90 degrees outside. I pretend to not sweat while I wear cardigans and boots, and I change out the decor to fall colors. I pull out the fall books for the children. These children’s books for fall are dreamy and inspiring for the season.
These children’s books for fall are dreamy and inspiring for the season, and I thought I would share our favorite books here. These are the ones we reach for year after year.
“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” – Oscar Wilde
Cozy Up: 12 Favorite Children’s Books for Fall
The great part of the seasonal shifts and changing seasons, is of course, the temperature starts dropping. Here in Oklahoma, it’s still quite hot in September but there is the faintest hint of fall in the evening breeze. The quilts start trickling out of hiding and everyone starts cuddling together under them as we read. I will miss the weight of my babies and big kids surrounding me while we all share a quilt when I read a good book. It’s the sweetest feeling and a great time for connection.
Setting the mood for reading aloud is a big part of creating a family culture around books. What gets your kids excited to listen to a story in the afternoons or evenings? My kids love cuddling down with a blanket and some popcorn. Give it a try! If bribing my kids with popcorn to listen to a story is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
Related Post: Autumn Family Activities
What Makes a Good Fall Picture Book?
I think one of my favorite parts of all the books on this list is that the beautiful illustrations are all so lovely. I would want to pull out any of these books and look through them by myself with a cup of coffee at hand. That’s because they are art! The illustrations are inspiring and make me want to go grab leaves off the tree and create a fall-inspired mantle. When the book is inspiring even to the adults, that’s when you know it’s a great book.
Autumn books tend to feature themes that resonate deeply during this time of year.. all about change, comfort, nature, gathering, and preparing. Some books are about apple picking, others show pumpkin patches, some explore falling leaves, and others guide children through emotional changes that mirror the new season. Many also celebrate the natural world, which makes them perfect for nature studies or morning basket time.
As the leaves change color and autumn visitors like squirrels and migrating birds pass through, it’s the perfect time to slow down and enjoy familiar stories or discover new things together. Some of the best fall books leave a lasting impression, even long after you’ve reached the end of the book.
Ways to Make the Most of Fall Reading
Reading children’s books during the fall season is about more than just storytelling. It’s about embracing this awesome autumn and making memories. Here are some great ways to deepen your seasonal reading time:
- Visit your local library together and create a “favorite fall books” display at home.
- Host a leaf hunt or collect fallen leaves to make crafts inspired by Leaf Man.
- Make apple cake, apple pie, or roasted butternut squash while reading books about the harvest season.
- Create a fall reading nook with board books, cozy blankets, and picture books displayed at your child’s eye level.
- Read outside under a beloved tree while enjoying the sound of autumn leaves crunching underfoot.
12 Children’s Books for Fall
1. Brambly Hedge Autumn Story by Jill Barklem
This classic British tale from the Brambly Hedge series showcases a community of mice preparing for the autumn celebration. The beautiful illustrations are full of tiny details that fascinate young readers and transport them to a gentle, woodland world. This is the kind of children’s book you’ll want to revisit every fall… perfect for a cozy blanket, tea, and the middle of fall.
2. Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall and Barbara Cooney
This delightful story paints a picture of a hardworking family during the harvest season, showcasing the rhythms of rural life. It’s the perfect read for helping young readers appreciate nature, tradition, and the value of labor. The book is also a great conversation starter about different cultures and family life in the early United States.
3. Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor
Tasha Tudor’s books are always a treat, and this pumpkin book is no exception. Follow a little girl as she picks the perfect pumpkin to carve into a “moonshine” (a jack-o’-lantern). The gentle storytelling and nostalgic artwork make this a great addition to your fall-themed books basket and a sweet tale for young children.
4. In November by Cynthia Rylant
This picture book is like a poem to the fall season, capturing the stillness, the quiet, and the beauty of preparing for winter. With beautiful illustrations, it reflects on apple trees, migrating animals, and the rituals of change. It’s a simple text that offers a reflective moment in the middle of a busy season.
5. Family Farm by Thomas Locker
A great book to introduce young readers to the importance of hard work and family bonds, Family Farm highlights the effort that goes into saving a beloved home. The illustrations show colorful leaves, cooler temperatures, and the signs of the new season as the family moves through their autumn work.
6. Miss Suzy by Miriam Young
This sweet story follows a brave squirrel who loses and reclaims her home. As a seasonal favorite, it’s the perfect way to explore themes of courage, hospitality, and community. If you’re studying different types of leaves or animal habitats, this is a fun book to include in your fall reading rotation.
7. Autumn by Gerda Muller
This wordless board book is ideal for young children, especially those drawn to nature. Each page is filled with beautiful books–style illustrations of falling leaves, apple picking, and animals preparing for the harvest season. It’s a good book to keep in a basket for toddlers and preschoolers, and the lack of text encourages storytelling.
8. The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
This charming title walks through a year on the farm, with a special focus on the autumn season. It’s rich with kinds of fall facts, from pumpkin patch visits to how animals adapt to the cold. A perfect read for homeschoolers or curious kids who love learning about the natural world.
9. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
With collaged colorful leaves that form animals and landscapes, this book turns into a fall art project. Kids love going on a leaf hunt after reading! It’s one of those awesome autumn titles that make you look at the ground differently. Created by the wonderful Lois Ehlert, it’s a fun book full of creativity and seasonal beauty.
10. Every Autumn Comes the Bear by Jim Arnosky
This simple narrative brings readers into the quiet woods where a bear prepares for hibernation behind a farm. It’s a beautiful story for young readers learning about wildlife and the signs of the coming season. With fallen leaves and subtle changes in nature, it captures the heart of autumn perfectly.
11. Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser
This quirky and funny tale follows animals trying to experience snow for the first time — and it brings plenty of giggles! The expressive sketches and humorous storytelling are a great way to lighten the mood and enjoy the middle of fall. It’s a great book to pull out just before the first frost arrives.
12. Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington
This sweet story introduces children to the pumpkin’s life cycle, from seed to pumpkin patch. Its gentle pacing and lovely artwork make it an ideal picture book for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s also a wonderful way to bring science and storytelling together during the harvest season.
Stories like these help build a foundation of favorite fall books your children will remember forever. These books that become part of your family rhythm, much like lighting a candle, baking an apple pie, watching the harvest moon, or putting out the fall wreath.
More Fall Reading Favorites & Honorable Mentions
If you’ve already read the twelve above and you’re looking for great additions, here are a few more that are perfect for this harvest season:
- Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak – nonfiction all about summer turning to autumn.
- The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter – a classic tale about a busy little squirrel who loses his tail
- The Little Acorn – a great book for teaching life cycles and trees.
- The Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin – a poetic book highlighting different cultures and celestial themes during fall.
- Little Tree by Loren Long – another tender story of a tree learning to let go.
- Apple Picking Time by Michele Slawson – a slice of rural Americana and seasonal work.
- Gail Gibbons’ many children’s books on apples, pumpkins, and the autumn season are packed with knowledge and perfect for curious minds.
The beauty of a timeless autumn book is that it speaks to kids of all ages... from toddlers to older children who still love being read to. These books often feature simple narratives that gently teach lessons or invite wonder.
Tips for Collecting Fall Children’s Books
If you are wanting to build a home library and are looking to add to your fall book collection, save booklists and study them. This is the number one thing that has helped me snag my most sought after fall books.
For instance, I had seen Miss Suzy on several fall booklists, and I had been searching for it secondhand for awhile because it’s kind of pricey. Because I had it in mind, I spotted it for 50 cents not too long ago at the thrift store and grabbed it so fast! Peruse booklists so you can have books in mind. Add them to an Amazon list if you don’t have the brain space so you can always find the list, and you can also see if they go on sale. Amazon lists are also a good thing for sharing with grandparents when they need a list of great books for Christmas or birthdays.
“Autumn, the years last, loveliest smile.” -William Cullen Bryant
Fall Activities Inspired by Books
Pairing books with seasonal activities can make the stories come alive:
- After reading Leaf Man, go on a leaf hunt and make your own leaf creations using contact paper and construction paper.
- After Pumpkin Pumpkin, plant butternut squash seeds or visit a pumpkin patch.
- Inspired by The Year at Maple Hill Farm, talk about farm life and try making apple cake or a cozy harvest soup.
- Read Ox-Cart Man and gather pantry items for donation as a family project about thankfulness and sharing.
These activities not only deepen the story, they allow young readers to engage with the themes in tangible ways by using all their senses to connect with the natural world.
Why Fall Is a Favorite Season for Book-Lovers
There’s something about autumn that makes us slow down. The cooler temperatures, the shorter days… all of it invites us to cozy up with a good book. Fall is a favorite season for many of us, and children’s books capture the season so well. From gusts of wind to the colorful leaves underfoot, each detail adds to the magic.
And if your kids are anything like mine, there’s nothing better than sitting down with a fun book, a bowl of popcorn, and a candle flickering nearby. It’s one of the best things about fall.
Happy Reading!
I hope this list of favorite books for the autumn season brings joy to your family. Reading aloud is one of the best things you can do with your children. It nurtures their minds, hearts, and imaginations.
May you find yourself surrounded by stories, blankets, and children who beg for “just one more page.”
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