Fall Picture Books
This is a list of ten picture book recommendations for the fall season.
I am a lover of all things autumn! I try to enjoy all the seasons and make the best of each one, but I look forward to fall the most - especially during the long, hot days of summer. I crave the chilly air, seeing the leaves change color, wearing sweatshirts and sweaters, and the smell of bonfires. I absolutely love autumn’s coziness! That being said, it is only fitting that one of my first blog posts is a book list of fall picture books. These books feature picturesque autumn scenes, information about the changes autumn brings to the world, and the animals we often associate with the season. I hope you and your little one(s) enjoy all of these stunning books!
As important as I think it is to support libraries and independent bookstores, I understand this is not a possibility for everyone. So, I’ve included links to purchase the books mentioned in this post through Barnes & Noble and Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, which is the best way you can support this blog. Ultimately, please choose the method that works best for you!
The Scarecrow
Written by Beth Ferry &
Illustrated by the Fan Brothers
(2019)
Where I live, one of the main sounds of fall is the crows constantly cawing. This poetic story features an unlikely friendship between a crow and a scarecrow. Scarecrow lives a lonely, solitary life until a crow chick falls out of a nearby tree. Scarecrow cares for the chick, nurturing a sweet friendship between the two. There is so much texture and depth in these illustrations, making them enjoyable for children and adults alike!
The Leaf Thief
Written by Alice Hemming &
Illustrated by Nicola Slater
(2021)
This silly story is about a squirrel who is convinced someone is stealing his tree’s leaves! It takes a few forest friends to explain to squirrel that no one is, in fact, stealing his leaves; the leaves fall is a result of the autumn season. This book features some speech bubbles, make it a great intro to graphic novel-style stories. At the end of the book, there is an informational page about the changes fall brings to the trees and other aspects of nature.
In the Middle
of Fall
Written by Kevin Henkes &
Illustrated by Laura Dronzek
(2017)
This short story describes the changes happening in nature in the middle of autumn, right before winter begins. You’ll see some familiar backyard animals, fall fruits, and flowers that your child will have fun identifying! This book features clear, bold illustrations and simple text, making it a great read-aloud for a toddler audience.
Fall Parade
Written & illustrated by Camelia Kay
(2024)
This beautifully painted book is perfect for young children who love identifying animals! In this story, a little fox pup discovers all the wonders of the fall season - diverse animals, colorful plants, and spectacular sights. The text is simple, and there is so much to find in the illustrations on every single page. Adults and children will both enjoy this whimsical read!
It’s Fall!
Written & illustrated by Renée Kurilla
(2023)
This book focuses on all the things we love about autumn! Cozy sweaters, seasonal treats, and fun holidays, just to name a few. You may be inspired to make a fall bucket list after reading this sweet story! The colors in the illustrations are primarily reds, oranges, yellows, and browns with contrasting black and white accents. Reading this story and seeing the fall colors will put you in a fall mood regardless of what season it is!
Goodbye Summer,
Hello Autumn
Written & illustrated by Kenard Pak
(2016)
I don’t think a seasonal book list could be complete without one of Pak’s seasonal transition tales! In this story, a child greets telltale signs of the approaching autumn, be it plants, animals, or weather. They each respond with how they’re preparing for the new season. The watercolor illustrations in this story are mesmerizing, and it is fun to see how the colors gradually become more fall-like as the story progresses.
Sweater Weather
Written & illustrated by Matt Phelan
(2021)
This cute story shows all the trouble Papa Bear goes through trying to get his cubs dressed to go outside to enjoy a fall day. Most parents will be able to empathize with Papa Bear and the chaos of trying to get a child dressed! Children will have fun seeing all the trouble the little bears are getting into. I found this book delightfully funny, and would love to see more of Papa Bear and his mischievous little crew. This picture book is another great introduction to the graphic novel form as there is no descriptive text, just simple dialogue written in speech bubbles.
Hello Autumn!
Written & illustrated by
Shelley Rotner
(2017)
This is a fantastic introductory nonfiction book. It features simple text with interesting words to discuss (ex. shelter, burrow, migrate, harvest). The book details things that happen to nature in autumn, such as animals hibernating or migrating, and seeds dropping. There are so many wonderful photographs in this book! I have found that children love seeing photographs of other children and animals, so I often try to include them in reading lists. This book will be sure to pique a child’s interest about the natural world during fall!
Nothing Ever Happens on a
Gray Day
Written & illustrated by Grant Snider
(2023)
This book is a reminder of how you can find magic in ordinary days if you just take the time to observe your surroundings. The child in this story is bored on a gray fall day, but going outside to explore leads her to interesting discoveries and a calmness in her mind. The illustrations in this book are black and white backgrounds with primary color accents. Even though it is not the most traditional fall tale, this story is a great reminder of the power of spending time in nature.
A Fall Ball for All
Written by Jamie A. Swenson&
Illustrated by Chiara Fedele
(2018)
In this story, forest animals gather together to enjoy the end of autumn at their annual Windfall Ball. Children will have fun identifying all the different animals on these pages, as well as discovering new ones they may not have seen before. This is a sweet tale that will help bring the fall season (and our book list) to a close!
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Please leave a comment below and tell me which of these books you enjoyed, and if there are any more that you feel our community should know about!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I appreciate it more than you know. I hope these books bring you and your child some autumn joy and inspiration this season!