Fall is all about saying “thank you” and acknowledging everything you’re grateful for while noticing all the changes around us, like the leaves changing colors and the air getting colder. It’s a great time to snuggle up with a warm blanket beside your parents while you read a fun book together! Find a cozy spot, have some hot chocolate, and jump into a new magical world inside one of these fantastic books. Let’s explore the magic of autumn together!
In the season of giving, it’s important to also give back to the younger community. Reading these picture books that highlight themes of change, being helpful, showing kindness, and giving thanks is the perfect way to instill these lessons and beliefs into young readers. Here are six picture books everyone will be sure to enjoy during the autumn season.
Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan
Get into this cozy autumn tale about a family of bears trying to get ready to go out into the November air. Getting the family together and ready at the same time, especially with kids — or in this case, cubs — proves to be difficult. Papa Bear wants his cubs to put their sweaters on before they leave the house, sweaters he knitted for them, but they refuse to wear them, insisting it’s not cold enough yet. Papa Bear patiently waits for his family, hoping they don’t miss their event, but when you have a larger-than-life family, sometimes even missing an event can be eventful.
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn: A Fall Book for Kids by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Saying farewell to summer and everything summer has to offer is hard for Pete. He still wants the sunshine, the longer days, swimming, and adventures, not the cold autumn he keeps hearing about. Once he discovers all the fun and cool activities that happen during autumn, he starts to rethink his old thoughts on the changing of the seasons. He can go through corn mazes, go on hayrides, and go even apple-picking. Pete sees that autumn isn’t so bad and even becomes thankful for the season.
Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie by Herman Parish and Lynne Avril
Amelia Bedelia loves everything about autumn, from the colors, the weather, and the activities to the food and the apples — especially the apples. To get into the spirit of all things fall, Amelia decides to bake her very first apple pie with her grandma, but things go south when the birds have a mind of their own. It’s a good thing Amelia always has a plan B in cases just like these. Nothing will stop her from getting her delicious baked creations to her parents for them to try.
Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes and Doris Barrette
Thanksgiving is the time to give thanks for everything you’re grateful for, even the small things. Teaching young readers the value of giving thanks is important, and reading books about being thankful for the small things in life is a great way to teach and show them. Thanks for Thanksgiving shows younger readers how to give thanks, but there are so many things to be thankful for that it’s hard to know where to begin. Life is full of the little details that bring us joy, whether that is the slides you ride or the food on your plate, sharing what you’re thankful for with family is the perfect way to show gratitude.
Goodnight Football by Michael Dahl and Christina E. Forshay
Fall is the time for football. What better way to celebrate football season than by sharing the love, intensity, and passion with your kids? Goodnight Football shows kids the excitement that comes with the first kickoff until the last whistle blows with rhyming text and vibrant fall colors. This book captures the love a young fan has for the game, but also for the people they share that same love with. So, introduce your kids to America’s favorite sport with this book at bedtime and let them experience the buzzing atmosphere that is football.
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade and Jennifer Davison
Struggling with fear and anxiety, Lance the leaf can’t seem to take that leap of faith to fall with the rest of his fellow leaves. Kids encounter fear and anxiety every day, which is not so different from what Lance is feeling. The time comes for Lance to leap, but he’s riddled with the fear of what comes next and what will happen when he jumps off. As the seasons change, life changes too, but it’s important not to let that stop anyone from living their life, and this book helps kids see that change might not be so bad while also encouraging them not to be afraid of whatever they might be going through right now.
So, now’s the time to grab a warm, knitted blanket, drink some apple cider, and sit by the fire while the weather continues to change and the leaves continue to fall. As the holiday season approaches, curl up with your book and let yourself relax. Whether you’re reading these books by yourself to get into the autumn spirit or with a younger reader so they can learn and enjoy the wonders of autumn, take some time to unwind before the year ends and reflect on everything you might be thankful for this year.
For more recommendations for the autumn season, click here.
To discover more holiday books for kids, click here.
