All About Fall ~ A Children's Book List
Even though the temperatures aren't getting any cooler here in Las Vegas, when Starbucks starts selling Pumpkin Lattes, I start embracing all things FALL! Soups are on the menu again, candles are changed to warm autumn scents, and orange, red and gold hues start to fill our home. But, perhaps my favorite change can be found on the bookshelves of our schoolroom. Here are 9 books that are very well-loved by my children (and me)! I hope you enjoy them as much as we have.
The stand-out in this book is the mixed-media collage illustrations by both author and illustrator, Lois Ehlert. Great vocabulary for little learners (photosynthesis, life-cycles, etc), as well as a perfect book to use as a catalyst for leaf crafts and making bird/squirrel feeders. Though not about Fall in the traditional sense, this book never fails to get us in the mood to get outside and explore nature.
This is a great choice for preschool/kindergarten aged children. They will love the sequencing and rhyme of this whimsical story about a little girl who loses her pumpkin. Beautifully illustrated, it also teaches an important lesson about helping your friends. Great choice if you're talking about gardening or Autumn vegetables as well!
Both the story and the illustrations in this book are so whimsical and fun! It's about a little girl who wants to make an apple pie but doesn't have the ingredients. So, what does she do?! Well...she travels the world gathering them all up, of course! I love books that teach and engage, and this one does BOTH. With an authentic apple pie recipe at the end, I think you'll find this book to be a true treat!
I will admit, I enjoy this book more for the illustrations than for the story itself. True to form, Lois Ehlert uses mixed media exceptionally well, and renders the reader enthralled with her imagination. Though the story isn't particularly strong (in my opinion), we use this book for ideas on how to make our OWN leaf men, leaf fish and other leafy creatures. My kids love to look at it before our nature walks to get their creativity flowing.
Perhaps my favorite Fall book of all, this charming story is about a fox named Fletcher and his fear that the tree he loves is losing her leaves. The underlying message for children is that it's ok to be nervous about change, and to want to force things to go their way. In the end, just like it was for Fletcher, they'll realize that beauty can be found in the unexpected. Not only will your children love this gentle and relatable story, but the pictures are breathtaking. It's a treasure, I promise.
This selection is all about change. As a little girl ventures out into the woods she witnesses the revolution of the seasons. She greets the things of late-summer, and they answer in a response that explains their preparations for the upcoming winter. The pictures are vibrant and highlight nature's beauty. A wonderfully gentle read.
Who doesn't already know the little old lady who swallowed the fly?! Well, she's back again and this tim she's eating a scarecrow (bit by bit, of course!). Not a terribly educational read, but who cares because it's fun, it rhymes, and it will leave your children laughing! Thats' a win in my book!
We all need a gentle reminder to be grateful sometimes, don't we? In this sweet tale, Lil Pup learns about hibernation (which equates to losing friends for a season for him), and how to be thankful in the midst of seemingly unfortunate circumstances. A great book to read as you start your Thanksgiving crafts and as you teach your children how to find beauty in, and treasure, the little things.
Otis is a family favorite in our house, so it's no surprise that this is a well-worn book for us. A little like Otis and the Tornado, this is a story about a newcomer on the farm. The difference; however, is that this new friend (the scarecrow) does not want to engage with the others. I love the fact that Loren Long addresses the fact that not everyone is up for a chat, upbeat and happy all the time, but that doesn't mean that companionship isn't important. Subtle, but powerful, I think you'll find that this book is a timely and important read.
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