21 Engaging Children’s Books for Fall
If you are like me, you are always looking for the best children’s books for fall to keep your children entertained and engaged.
Finding a captivating book can help foster a love of reading in children. It can also provide an opportunity for parents and children to bond while enjoying a shared activity.
Finding the perfect book can be daunting, but never fear! I have compiled a list of fall’s 21 best children’s books for fall. These children’s books for fall will surely please any reader, from the youngest to the most reluctant.
1) “Duck and Goose find the pumpkin” by Tad Hills
Age: 1-3
If you’re looking for a fun, fall-themed story to read to your little one, Duck and Goose Find the Pumpkin is perfect. The charming illustrations and simple storyline are sure to captivate your child’s attention, and the story itself is just the right length for a bedtime story.
Duck and Goose are having a blast looking for a pumpkin to take home, but they have no luck finding one anywhere. Eventually, they spot a pumpkin hidden in the pumpkin patch. This book is a great choice for fall holidays or any time you want a quick, fun read.
2) “Biscuit visits the pumpkin patch.”
Age: 1-3
Biscuit is a lovable golden retriever puppy who is always up for a new adventure. In Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch, Biscuit and his girl go to the pumpkin patch to pick out the perfect pumpkin.
Your child will enjoy following along as Biscuit sniffs out the best pumpkin. The bright, colorful illustrations are sure to please. This book is a great choice for toddlers and young children learning to love reading.
3) “Fletcher and the falling leaves” by Julia Rawlinson
Age: 2-6 years
Fletcher is a little fox who loves the fall. He loves the smell of the leaves and the sound of them rustling in the wind. But when the leaves start to fall off the trees, Fletcher starts to worry that something is wrong. With the help of his forest friends, Fletcher learns about the changing seasons and comes to appreciate the beauty of autumn.
4) “The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming
Age: 2-5
If you’re looking for a fun, engaging read about the changing of the seasons, The Leaf Thief is perfect for you. With vibrant illustrations and a cast of lovable characters, Alice Hemming’s picture book is sure to captivate your child’s imagination.
The story follows Squirrel on a quest to find his missing leaf, and along the way, he learns about the beauty of autumn and the importance of change. This book is perfect for young readers who are just starting to learn about the world around them. The simple text and easy-to-follow plot make it a great choice for classroom read-aloud or bedtime stories.
So if you’re looking for a charming tale celebrating the magic of autumn, check out The Leaf Thief. You won’t be disappointed!
5) “Too many pumpkins” by Linda White
Age: 3-7 years
If you’re looking for a fun, autumn-themed read for your little one, check out Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White. The story follows Rebecca Estelle, a girl who has always hated pumpkins but ends up growing a sea of them in her garden after one falls on her house.
While Rebecca is initially annoyed by the pumpkins, she eventually learns to appreciate them when she figures out how to give them away to make other people happy. This heartwarming story is perfect for kids who love fall and pumpkins, and its lovely message about helping others will warm their hearts.
The colorful illustrations in this children’s book for fall are also a treat and will help get your child into the autumn spirit. So if you’re looking for a fun, pumpkin-themed read, be sure to check out Too Many Pumpkins!
6) “Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak
Age: 2-5
If you’re looking for a charming children’s book to usher in the autumn season, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn is a perfect choice. Written and illustrated by Kenard Pak, the story follows a young girl as she takes a walk through the forest and town, greeting all the signs of the changing season. Then, in a series of conversations with every flower, creature, and gust of wind, she says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.
The artwork is beautiful, with soft, pastel colors perfectly capturing the autumnal atmosphere. The story is sweet and poignant, with just the right amount of nostalgia. It’s a lovely book that will warm your heart and prepare you for fall.
7) “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson
Age: 2-6
If you’re looking for a fun, magical read to excite your child for autumn, then Room on the Broom is perfect. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the story follows a kindly witch and her cat as they go on a broom-riding adventure. Along the way, they pick up a few stowaways: a dog, a bird, and a frog.
But when they encounter a hungry dragon, it will take all their combined courage and cunning to make it out alive. This rollicking tale is perfect for kids who love adventure, and its message about the power of teamwork is sure to resonate. The illustrations are also delightful and will bring the story to life for your child. So if you’re looking for a fun, exciting read for fall, check out Room on the Broom!
8) “The Gruffalo” by Julia Donaldson
Age: 2-6
The Gruffalo is a silly, fun-filled read perfect for kids who love autumn. Written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the story follows a young boy who discovers a strange creature in the forest. The Gruffalo is half buffalo, half guinea pig, and he’s very friendly.
The boy soon learns that the Gruffalo is a troublemaker, and he gets into all sorts of hijinks around the forest. But despite his mischievous nature, the Gruffalo is always there to help when his friends need him. This humorous story is perfect for kids who love animals, and its message about friendship is sure to resonate.
The illustrations are also delightful and will bring the story to life for your child. So if you’re looking for a fun, silly read for fall, be sure to check out The Gruffalo!
9) “The Witch’s Cat and the cooking catastrophe” by Kristie Watson
Age: 4-7
The Witch’s Cat and The Cooking Catastrophe is a fantastical tale of magic, mischief, and mishap. Written by Kristie Watson, this book is a fun read-aloud that will bring magic to your bedtime stories.
The story follows the witch’s cat as he finds a dusty old cookbook and decides to make a surprise lunch for the witch. Unfortunately, his enthusiasm far exceeds his cooking abilities, and he carelessly overlooks some rather important information.
But hey, what’s the worst that could happen?
This book is filled with colorful illustrations and is perfect for ages 4-7.
10) “Apple Picking Day” by Candice Ransom
Age: 3-7
If you’re looking for a fun, easy early reader to get your child excited about reading, look no further than Apple Picking Day.
This book tells the story of two siblings enjoying a day at the apple orchard, picking apples, and having fun.
The rhyming text is easy to follow, and the illustrations are bright and cheerful. This would be the perfect book to read before a trip to the apple orchard or to get your child excited about the fall season.
11) “Oh, The seeds you can Sow” by Jessica Lisk
Age: 4-7
The Seeds you can Saw by Jessica Lisk is a children’s book about the power of planting good seeds. Janie Grace is a young girl who learns the importance of being kind from her Papa.
He tells her that she is planting a good seed in someone else’s heart whenever she does something kind. So Janie Grace sets out to plant as many good seeds as she can, and she soon sees the power of her kindness spreading throughout her community.
This charming book is perfect for teaching children the value of compassion and empathy. It is also a great reminder for adults that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference in the world.
12) “Tree full of Wonders” by Anna Smithers
Age: 3-8
Anna Smithers has written a beautiful book about trees, full of wonder and mindfulness. The story is written with delicacy and elegance. It is so sensitively crafted that it is sure to capture young and old readers’ hearts.
The tale tells the story of a tree full of wonders and the different creatures living in and around it. The author explains the vital role trees play in our lives and how they offer us so much more than shade and oxygen. She also emphasizes the importance of nature and how getting in touch with it can help us feel calmer and more relaxed.
I absolutely loved this book because I could bring my daughter closer to nature.
Beautiful stories allow us, parents, to create a stronger bond with our children. The author’s writing is lyrical and evocative, making for an enchanting reading experience that will captivate readers, young and old. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming tale about the natural world.
13) “Sweep” by Louisa Greig
Age: 4-8
Sweep is an excellent book for children learning how to deal with emotions. The main character, Ed, has a bad mood that he can’t shake, and it causes a lot of problems for him and the people around him. However, through perseverance and understanding, Ed eventually learns how to manage his mood healthily.
The story is accompanied by beautiful illustrations that bring the characters and setting to life. I would recommend this book to any child struggling with their emotions or needing help to learn how to cope with them.
14) “The roll away pumpkin” by Junia Wonders
Age: 2-6
The Roll-Away Pumpkin is a delightful children’s book that tells the story of a young girl named Marla and her runaway pumpkin. Written by Junia Wonders and illustrated by Laura Watson, this book is perfect for families and educators of young children, as it is filled with beautiful illustrations, highlighted keywords, repetitive language, and predictive nature.
The Roll-Away Pumpkin tells the story of a young girl named Marla and her runaway pumpkin. As Marla chases her pumpkin down the street, she meets all sorts of different people who join in her pursuit. The group eventually ends up at a parade, where they all enjoy a bowl of pumpkin soup together.
This book is perfect for beginning readers, as it is short and simple to follow. The text is written in a fun and whimsical way, and the illustrations are beautifully done in muted, earthy tones. The Roll-Away Pumpkin is sure to captivate the imaginations of young children everywhere.
15) “A Tree for all seasons” by Robin Bernard
Age: 2-6
A Tree for All Seasons is a beautiful book that celebrates the life of trees. The story follows a young maple tree growing and changing through the seasons, from spring to winter. Each page is filled with beautiful illustrations and fun facts about trees.
It discovers different forms of life depending on the growth of the maple tree, as squirrels use it as a home in winter, robins make nests in spring, and how sap changes into maple syrup. Children will learn about the important role trees play in our environment and the many ways we can help them thrive.
This book is a perfect way to introduce young children to the wonders of nature. It would make a great addition to any home or school library.
16) “Pumpkin circle: The story of a Garden” by George Levenson
Age: 4-6
This book is a great choice to read in the fall. The pictures are very colorful, and the story is interesting. It follows the life of a pumpkin from when it is just a seed to when it is ready to be harvested. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about how a pumpkin grows.
17) “Litte tree” by Loren Long
Age: 3-6
If you’re looking for a children’s book that tackles the difficult process of growing up and letting go, then look no further than Loren Long’s Little Tree.
In this gorgeously illustrated story, we follow the journey of Little Tree as he struggles to let go of his leaves each autumn and faces the cold of winter head-on.
Despite encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, Little Tree remains unchanged year after year until he is finally ready to take a leap and shed his protection.
With beautiful illustrations and an eloquent narrative voice, Loren Long’s Little Tree is a must-read for children of all ages.
18) “After the Fall” by Dan Santat
Age: 3-8
I was so genuinely surprised by the book’s conclusion that I won’t spoil it. Seeing how an artist can turn even the most familiar tale into something new is always gratifying.
Santat does this with After the Fall, giving a validating and breathtaking next chapter of a Mother Goose favorite.
More than a nursery rhyme remix, Santat’s story speaks boldly to the grip of fear and trauma and the exhilaration of mastering it.
The author gives wings to both his protagonist and his message about the importance of getting back up after a fall and the realization that recovering from a trauma takes time.
Santat’s precise illustrations and sensitive text combine for more emotional depth than the typical nursery rhyme remix. A terrific redemptive read-aloud for storytime and classroom sharing.
19) “Ricky the Rock that couldn’t roll” by Mr. Jay
Age: 2-7
“Ricky the Rock That Couldn’t Roll” is a heartwarming story about a rock named Ricky that can’t seem to do anything right. No matter how hard he tries, he just can’t roll like the other rocks. His friends help him, and eventually, he learns to roll – and be proud of himself, even though he’s not exactly like everyone else.
This is a great book for teaching kids about accepting themselves for who they are and about the importance of friendship and teamwork. The illustrations are adorable, and the story is charming and inspiring. I recommend this book to any child – it’s sure to become a favorite.
20) “The Magic and Mystery of Trees” by Jen Green
Age: 3-9
This book is a great introduction to the magic and mystery of trees. It explores how trees are an important part of our environment and the many ways they can help us.
The book covers a variety of topics about trees, such as their reproduction, communication, and effects on the environment. The book also includes fun activities for children, such as planting their own trees.
The illustrations are beautiful, and the text is easy to understand. I recommend this book to any child interested in learning more about trees and their importance.
21) “Exploring nature activity book” by Kim Andrews
Age: 5-9
If you’re looking for a nature book that will keep your kids entertained and engaged, the “Exploring Nature Activity Book” is a great choice.
With 50 fun outdoor projects, this book is perfect for kids who love getting outside and exploring. The activities are varied and interesting and cover a range of seasons and regions so that all kids can get in on the fun.
Plus, by practicing important skills like observation and memory, your children will learn while playing.
Children’s books for fall are a great way to keep your little ones entertained and engaged all season long.
The 21 best children’s books for fall I’ve listed will captivate your child’s imagination with whimsical stories about pumpkins and changing leaves, action-packed adventures, and inspiring tales of courage and determination.
So be sure to add these must-read titles to your reading list this autumn!
