The 35 Greatest Fall Books for Kids (updated 2023)
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Wondering what a good children’s book to read this fall is? Here are 35 favorite fall books for kids to enjoy this year.
Want to keep learning after the story ends? I’m including interactive learning activities to extend the fall books on our list. You can share these 50 autumn facts for kids to connect your child with the fall season.
Classic & Favorite Fall Books for Kids
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry, illustrated by Eric Fan & Terry Fan
This story starts off with a mysterious feeling but quickly turns into something endearing. The scarecrow is not scary at all; he’s just lonely. This book teaches readers about caring for other creatures and connecting with others who are different than you.
The Scarecrow starts with a touch of eerie creeps. And I probably only feel that way because I saw that episode of Supernatural once.
Possum’s Harvest Moon by Anne Hunter
Possom knows that winter is coming, but wants to have one last celebration with the bugs and animals of the forest. This book combines the nighttime fall exploration of Hello, Harvest Moon with the festivities of A Fall Ball for All. Let’s take a moment to respect that the main character of this book is an opossum. This poor critter never gets appreciation.
A Fall Ball for All by Jamie A. Swenson, illustrated by Chiara Fedele
The fall to-do list needs to wait. All the animals in the forest are taking time to celebrate one last time before winter arrives. The poetic rhymes will pull readers into this story.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto
In this book, a group of friends goes on an autumn adventure. And just like in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, there is going to be a dramatic escape.
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
This classic fall children’s book is about a maple tree. The vibrantly colored leaf collages teach readers about different parts of trees.
In November by Cynthia Rylant
The air is colder, the leaves have fallen, and everyone can feel winter coming. November does not get the appreciation that September and October receive. This fall book shows readers just how lovely November can be.
Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher, illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Hello, Harvest Moon is another favorite on this list. This fall book shares the magic of autumn nighttime. Readers will explore by the light of a bright, full harvest moon. Find out what plants, animals, and humans do overnight during the fall season.
Learning Activities
- Add scarecrow “dolls” from the decor section of the dollar store to small world play.
- Buy or create fall-themed party decorations. Add these to the dramatic play center.
- Find fall-themed music on YouTube and have a swirling dance party. I recommend adding scarf dancing.
- Act out the motions from the story We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt.
- Go stargazing or have a moonlight scavenger hunt.
Fall Tradition Books for Kids
Dance Like a Leaf by AJ Irving, illustrated by Claudia Navarro
This multi-generational story highlights fall traditions between a grandma and granddaughter. Eventually, the granddaughter has to say goodbye to her beloved grandma. Still, this story ends with a happier message. The main character realizes she can still celebrate the memories and traditions she shared with her grandma.
Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz, illustrated by Talitha Shipman
This multi-generational story explores a favorite fall tradition: making applesauce. The family in the book has been turning apples into applesauce for generations. Readers will learn about concepts like apples, apple orchards, family, and family traditions.
Mooncakes by Loretta Seto, illustrated by Renné Benoit
In Mooncakes, readers learn about the Chinese Moon Festival (also known as the Mid-Autumn Festival). This holiday is celebrated with mooncakes, lanterns, moon-gazing, and gathering together. In the story, our main character shares about her family traditions and the ancient tales behind the festival.
Fall Mixed Up by Robert Raczka, illustrated by Chad Cameron
I adore this book. Fall Mixed Up is a goofy, rhyming book introducing readers to the traditions of fall. Well, except the traditions are all mixed up. This book will spark great conversations about fall activities while everyone tries to sort the story out.
Talk about family traditions together while you sort out the silliness from the story. Or create fall rhyming poetry together.
Around the Table That Grandad Built by Melanie Heuiser Hill, illustrated by Jaime Kim
Around the Table That Grandad Built is a diverse, multi-generational book that is (sort of) Thanksgiving-y. The book includes concepts like traditions and family members and shares about gatherings to celebrate Thanksgiving or other holidays where loved ones gather around a table in their homes.
To me, that makes this book flexible and adaptable for any child. It can also help children prepare and look forward to what’s to come through the fall and holiday season.
All Around Bustletown: Fall by Rotraut Susanne Berner
The search is on! Find all the hidden treasures in this oversized, wordless board book. Each page is a fall seek-and-find with colorful, busy illustrations to explore. This book will become a fall favorite and spark many conversations about how the fall season impacts people.
Learning Activities
- Do a show & tell of favorite fall traditions.
- Create an applesauce toppings bar for snack time.
- Talk about family traditions or start a new one like blogger Nicole trick-or-treating at home with her kids.
- Tell a story about the origin of a favorite family object.
- Turn off the lights and explore shadows using flashlights or string lights.
Autumn Leaves Stories
Sweep by Louise Greig, illustrated by Júlia Sardà
In Sweep, Ed is in a bad mood while sweeping up autumn leaves. His actions and mood start to cause chaos when he sweeps up people, bikes, and even vehicles! This funny and whimsical story teaches kids about big emotions and bad moods. Eventually, Ed starts feeling better and appreciating the world around him (and the city escapes a giant leaf pile).
Oak Leaf by John Sandford
Oak Leaf is a quiet book about a big adventure. An oak leaf travels across different landscapes while encountering animals, trains, buildings, and people. You’ll discover something new in the illustrations each time you revisit this story.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
This fall book combines science and story. Readers can reimagine each leaf collage, finding the leaf characters on each page. Throughout the book are opportunities to compare and contrast different leaves.
A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
A Very Big Fall discusses emotions such as adventurous, nervous, and even grumpy. The adorable leaf characters in this book are grappling with changes that can sometimes be scary. Actually, falling from a tree always sounds scary. Along with emotions, readers also learn about leaves from different types of trees.
Check out one of Emmy Kaster’s Nerdy Baby book on our ocean book list.
If You Find a Leaf by Aimee Sicuro
I make it a point through this list to acknowledge my favorite fall books – and this is one of them. If You Find a Leaf brings an extra dose of imagination by combining illustration with photographs of leaves. The eternally creative main character spends page after page sharing how to turn leaves into artwork.
Leif and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant & Adam Grant, illustrated by Merrily Liddiard
I immediately was suckered by this fall book’s color scheme (along with the leaf character wearing glasses!). Trust me, the story is great too. Leif continues to problem solve ways to fall from the tree safely. Readers can learn about turning their worries into action.
Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors by Mia Posada
Summer Green to Autumn Gold is a nonfiction children’s book offering a simple introduction to leaf science. Readers will learn about the leaf cycle and why leaves change colors. The colorful illustrations help bring the information to life.
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
Does this children’s book title make anyone else remember the smell of a Bath & Body Works candle?
In this story, a bear is experiencing its first autumn and exploring the falling leaves. This book is light on text, making it a quick and easy read. Still, take a moment to appreciate the illustrations. The color palette and swishing bold strokes perfectly capture the energy of fall.
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade, illustrated by Jennifer Davison
This fall book combines a storyline with science. Plus, the illustrations are just stinking cute. Our leafy main character is unsure if he’s ready for his final exam: falling from the tree. Themes in this book include facing fears and anxiety.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming, illustrated by Nicola Slater
This silly story is about a high-strung squirrel on a mission to find who stole the autumn leaves.
Learning Activities
- Collect leaves together, then ask your child for their ideas.
Sort & classify?
Art?
Leaf drop?
Leaf confetti? - Use leaves as story props. Offer children markers to decorate or add faces.
- Use a broom to sweep up artificial or felt leaves.
- Hide leaves (real or artificial) for children to find.
- Collect leaves to sort and classify. Younger children can sort by colors and size. Older children can sort by colors from Summer Green to Autumn Gold, such as emerald, jade, scarlet, and burgundy.
Books to Introduce Fall
Autumn is Here! by Heidi Pross Gray
Autumn is Here is a delightful children’s book that explores the wonders of fall. The lovely storytelling and charming illustrations celebrate the beauty of nature during this magical season. Kids will fall in love with this autumn storybook.
Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
In Autumblings, lyrical verses and captivating illustrations intertwine to celebrate the magic of fall. The playful poetry is paired with vivid watercolors and pastels to bring autumn to life. Through a series of heartwarming poems, readers will discover unique vocabulary, alongside the sights, sounds, and sensations that make fall so special.
Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre
Full of Fall celebrates autumn through breathtaking photographs and lyrical descriptions. The vibrant colors of changing leaves, frosty mornings, and playful woodland creatures come to life through Sayre’s stunning photography. Go on a journey, from the crunching leaves underfoot to the sweetness of ripe apples and the beauty of migratory birds taking flight. Full of Fall will help children appreciate the beauty of nature and the joy of autumn’s changes.
Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland
This absolutely luminescent book teaches readers about the fall season. I particularly love how the illustrations show light and reflections.
Parents and educators can easily adjust the poetic text depending on their child’s age. Read only the bold text on each page for a quicker read. The additional text provides more information about the science of seasons, animal migration, leaf cycles, and more.
Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer
Yellow Time is a cheerful, quick-read book that shows readers many fall traditions and seasonal changes. This story and its illustrations are the exact opposite of a spooky, dreary fall book.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, and the next book on our list, Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter, are the perfect bookends to the fall season. This book shares with readers about the changing seasons and how nature shifts from summer to fall.
Scavenger Hunt Ideas (& Free Templates)
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter, and the previous book on our list, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn, are the perfect bookends to the fall season. This book shares with readers about the changing seasons and how nature shifts from fall to winter.
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes, illustrated by Laura Dronzek
In the Middle of Fall gives readers a simple introduction to how nature changes during autumn. Readers follow along on a gentle journey through the bold, beautiful fall colors to the last days before winter.
Leaves: An Autumn Pop-Up Book by Janet Lawler, illustrated by Lindsay Dale-Scott, pop-ups by Yoojin Kim
This fall book is pure autumn whimsy. The intricate, layered pop-ups radiate the vibes of fall. Every nature-loving child will adore it. Everyone else will turn into a nature-lover while reading it.
Windy Days by Deborah Kerbel, illustrated by Miki Sato
When the autumn wind picks up, some mild mayhem (and delights) begins. From kites to fall leaves to trick-or-treaters’ costumes, the wind is causing a stir. Oh, did I mention the phenomenal collage illustrations in this book? I highly recommend adding this weather book to your fall book list.
Learning Activities
- Take art supplies outdoors and draw pictures inspired by the autumn sights.
- Make up silly words or puns for fall.
- Create a fall-themed felt board.
- Create a sensory bin with fall-colored paper for tearing or cutting.
- Take a nature walk and take photos of the signs of fall.
- Create a layered and autumn-inspired collage. Use foam craft cut-outs, pictures from magazines, ribbons, and even nature items.
Fall Board Books
Also Available in Board Book:
- Leaves by David Ezra Stein
- Windy Days by Deborah Kerbal
- In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes
Fall by Roger Piddy
This touch-and-feel board book is a cute, straightforward introduction to fall for our youngest book lovers. The book features real photographs to introduce fall-related animals and objects.
What is Fall? by Random House, illustrated by Genie Espinosa
The engaging fall board book includes shaped pages and peek-through holes. Readers learn fall concepts through simple, rhyming text.
Fall/Otoño by Child’s Play, illustrated by Ailie Busby, translated by Teresa Mlawer
This fall board book is a charming bilingual introduction to fall vocabulary and experiences.
Learning Activities
- Go on a texture nature walk and take time to touch your discoveries.
- Create a fall-themed loose parts basket.
- Create fall pictures with crayons inspired by Fall/Otoño. Let your child dictate what they drew and write this on the picture.
Keep Learning with 50 Autumn Facts for Kids
Fall is a time of change when the leaves turn from green to vibrant red, orange and yellow. It’s also the ideal time for learning about changing seasons. I’ve put together a list of 35 fall books for kids, along with activities to extend learning about autumn. Snuggle up with a good book this fall and enjoy all that the autumn season has to offer.
Do you have questions about any activities I shared? Any books or fall activities to add? Leave us all a comment below.
