Tag: fall

Autumn Picture Books Every Child Should Read
Children's Book Recommendations

Autumn Picture Books Every Child Should Read

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Autumn Picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. All of these title can be found in my Amazon Storefront under Autumn Picture Books– https://amzn.to/466w5i5 .)

Book cover of Apples and Pumpkins with the little girl carrying a large pumpkin with a chicken beside her and a bushel of apples

Apples and Pumpkins 

by Anne Rockwell (Author), Lizzy Rockwell (Illustrator)

Summary: A young girl, her father, and her mother visit a farm during autumn to pick apples and the perfect pumpkin to make a jack o’ lantern for Halloween.

Comments: This book is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning about fall traditions.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover of Every Autumn Comes the Bear with a large black bear walking in the forest with fall leaves on a path

Every Autumn Comes the Bear 

by Jim Arnosky (Author)

Summary: A black bear appears each fall in the woods, encountering forest animals like ravens, a bobcat, and a fox along the way before getting ready to hibernate.

Comments: The book is beautifully illustrated with watercolors and is an excellent read-aloud choice for introducing the concepts of hibernation or animal behavior.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover for Fall Leaves with a boy and girl walking along a river aligned with orange leaved trees

Fall Leaves 

by Loretta Holland (Author), Elly MacKay (Illustrator)

Summary: A boy and a girl walk through the countryside in autumn, observing how nature has transformed and continues to change. They notice how the vibrant orange and yellow tones of autumn are giving way to the cooler gray and blue tones of winter, all illustrated beautifully in the landscape.

Comments: The light-box illustrations are so eye pleasing and really set the whole autumn and winter moods of the book.

There are two sets of text. We see the large print word playing, such as they do with fall and leaves. Underneath is a smaller, detailed print explaining what is happening in Nature as it is changing.

This STEM picture book is a superb addition to any library.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to Fletcher and the Falling Leaves where Fletcher is gathering falling leaves

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

by Julia Rawlinson (Author), Tiphanie Beeke (Illustrator)

Summary: Fletcher, a young fox, is very worried about a tree that is losing all of its leaves. He believes the tree is sick, so he gathers the fallen leaves and even tries to reattach them. His mother explains to him that this is the tree’s way of preparing for winter. After taking a nap, the little fox wakes up to see the tree’s new, beautiful winter appearance.

Comments: The lovely watercolor illustrations match the mood and changing seasons.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn with a girl wearing a red scarf and a white spotted dog walking in nature with the green leaves of the trees changing to the orange trees. The blue jay is flying south.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn

by Kenard Pak (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A girl with her dog walks through the town and country, talking to the nature around them as the summer season changes to autumn. She says goodbye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Comments: The illustrations complement the changing seasons and create the tone of each season.

This is a season series by Kenard Pak. I recommend all four. More information about them can be found on the series’ Amazon page.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to In November with fall leaves on the parameter and a mouse in the middle

In November

by Cynthia Rylant (Author), Jill Kastner (Illustrator)

Summary: Various animals prepare for the oncoming winter season by gathering food, while humans gather inside, especially for Thanksgiving.

Comments: This is an autumn-to-winter transitional book with cozy illustrations. The smells and sounds of November are incorporated. This book was one that teachers shared with their students each fall.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

book cover to In the Middle of Fall with a squirrel on a branch with fall oak leaves and a few acorns

In the Middle of Fall 

by Kevin Henkes (Author), Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

Summary: A child and dog are being observed by a squirrel as they walk, noticing fall all around them, the leaves, pumpkins, apples, and slowly transforming to winter.

Comments: The text captures the essence of autumn days by focusing on vocabulary related to the season.

Perfect for little ones in toddler and kindergarten.

This is a season series with the titles as In the Middle of Fall, Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and Summer Song.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover for pumpkin jack with a jack o lantern in decomposition.

Pumpkin Jack 

by Will Hubbell (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A boy’s carved pumpkin decays and transforms through the seasons into new growth.

Comments: This is an engaging introduction to the life cycle of plants and the concept of decomposition.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to It's Pumpkin Time with a dog with its paw on a pumpkin

It’s Pumpkin Time! 

by Zoe Hall (Author), Shari Halpern (Illustrator)

Summary: Two siblings plant pumpkin seeds and learn to care for them by watering and weeding throughout the summer until autumn, when they ripen just in time for Halloween.

Comments: This is an excellent book for science tie-ins about plant life cycles.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover for Leaf Man with many leaves making a man shape

Leaf Man 

by Lois Ehlert (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Leaves in the autumn wind turn into Leaf Man, who travels on the breeze over marshes, orchards, and farms. Other leaves change into other forms along the way.

Comments: This book would be the perfect inspiration for leaf art projects. Read this first and have the students go out gathering leaves for their leaf creatures.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

book cover to the scarecrow with a scarecrow standing in a field with a crow on its arm.

The Scarecrow

by Beth Ferry (Author), Eric Fan (Illustrator), Terry Fan (Illustrator)

Summary: A lonely scarecrow helps an injured baby crow recover. Once the crow is well, it leaves. The scarecrow is alone again until the following spring when the crow returns with its mate. Together, they build a nest in the scarecrow. Soon, the scarecrow finds itself with a family..

Comments: Stunning illustrations with a lovely theme of compassion and kindness.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to red leaf, yellow with read and yellow fall leaves

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf 

by Lois Ehlert (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: A child tells the story of his sugar maple tree. He shares how it started growing in the woods and eventually became a sapling. It was then harvested and sold at a garden center, and finally, it came home with him to live and grow in his yard. The child describes how the tree changes with each season, with fall being his favorite time when the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and yellow.

Comments: This is ideal for science lessons about trees and life cycles. The illustrations are collages, which is Lois Ehlert’s specialty.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover of strega nona's harvest with the grandmother standing amongst an autumn harvest of grain, squash, pumpkins, and so forht

Strega Nona’s Harvest 

by Tomie dePaola (Author, Illustrator)

Summary: Strega Nona teaches Big Anthony about planting, harvesting, and sharing food. However, he decides to plant his own garden behind the shed and does not listen to his grandmother, a witch. As a result, his magical garden overgrows with an abundant amount of bounty.

Comments: This story connects gardening with responsibility and generosity. It reminds me how everyone in my neighborhood would share their surplus vegetables.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

book cover to the pumpkin book with children in a pumpkin patch looking at pumpkins

The Pumpkin Book 

by Gail Gibbons (Author)

Summary: This nonfiction picture book explains the life cycle, history, and uses of pumpkins.

Comments: This book is excellent for science or seasonal lessons, providing children with factual knowledge through colorful visuals. The author creates all of the visuals for this nonfiction book using watercolors.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

the book cover to the biggest pumpkin ever with mice dancing around a pumpkin

The Biggest Pumpkin Ever 

by Steven Kroll (Author), Jeni Bassett (Illustrator)

Summary: Clayton, a house mouse, is eager to win the town’s biggest pumpkin contest, while Desmond, a field mouse, hopes to carve the largest jack-o’-lantern possible. Unbeknownst to each other, they both select the same pumpkin to nurture. As a result, the pumpkin grows larger than all the others.

Comments: A fun story that highlights cooperation and sharing, a great read aloud.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

Autumn Picture Books–New
Children's Book Recommendations

Autumn Picture Books–New

The Retired School LibrarianLeave a comment

Autumn Picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The Retired School Librarian is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. All of these titles can be found in my Amazon Storefront under Autumn Picture Books — https://amzn.to/4m9XIve .)

❗This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.❗

A man with a top hat and women with long hair dancing in the middle of the autumn forest with a pair of deer and pumpkins. Book cover

Night of the Deer 

by Mary Morel (Author), Mira Miroslavova (Illustrator)

Summary: Arabella is riding in the pickup truck with her parents on their way to school when the family spots a buck and a doe in the woods. Her parents share with her the belief that deer walk among them.

On the way home that day, the girl called out to a pair of deer, inviting them to the school’s harvest dance that evening. Two strangers appeared and danced the night away. Only Arabella knew who they were.

Comments: This story is beautifully told and wonderfully illustrated, capturing the magic of autumn. It would make a superb read-aloud.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

A turkey is walking down a dirt path in the woods with forest animals around it and in the air flying. Book cover

Twelve Days of Autumn 

by Sherri Maret (Author), Thomas Hilley (Illustrator)

Summary: This picture book follows the style of the traditional “Twelve Days of Christmas,” featuring animals preparing for autumn.

Comments: This would be a cute counting and autumn read-aloud.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

This is part of a season series. For more information about that series, please see the author’s Amazon page.

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

A fox and mole are walking around the hilly countryside. The fox has a basket of berries. Crows are sitting in the tree nearby. Book cover

The Slightly Spooky Tale of Fox and Mole 

by Cecilia Heikkila (Author), Polly Lawson (Translator)

Summary: Mole visits Fox’s house each day at 6 pm to eat cookies and jam while Fox tells a story about a scary raccoon. Mole’s forgetfulness and messiness get the better of Fox, who slowly transforms into a monster.

Comments: This is such a wonderful read-aloud with the hint of autumn spookiness.

Illustrations were created using a combination of watercolor, gouache, pastels, and digital methods.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Two siblings in jackets playing in the autumn fallen leaves. Book cover

Fall Feast: Nature’s Harvest (Seasons in the Wild) 

by Sean Taylor (Author), Alex Morss (Author), Cinyee Chiu (Illustrator)

Summary: Two siblings go on a nature walk with their Mom and Mama to explore the autumn season, discovering such things as falling leaves, berries and nuts, fungi, and migrating birds.

Comments: The back sections include more information about fall, animals, plants, and decomposers.

This is the last book of the Season in the Wild series. The other can be found at this Amazon page.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Pumpkin and Acorn squash sitting amongst cornstalks, sunflowers, and gourds. Book cover to Squash & Pumpkin

Squash & Pumpkin: #SquashGoals 

by G.G. McQueen (Author), Michael Slack (Illustrator)

Summary: Pumpkin and Squash are best friends until autumn arrives, when Pumpkin becomes famous. Everywhere she goes, people adore her: pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, and pumpkin pies.

At the Harvest Festival, Acorn Squash sets up a booth showcasing all the delicious squash dishes. Their friendship has turned into a rivalry, but they eventually find a solution together.

Comments: A humorous read-aloud about friendship.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Bear with a hat on standing in a pile of orange fall leaves by a tree looking up and seeing the last leaf in the tree. Book cover to The Wishing Leaf.

The Wishing Leaf

by Kallie George (Author), Paola Zakimi (Illustrator)

Summary: Bear patiently waits for the last leaf of autumn to fall because he believes that if he makes a wish on the leaf, it will come true. Bear and his friends watch and wait, but as fall turns into winter, they realize they need to sleep. Mama Bear allows Bear to wait a little longer. When the leaf finally falls, Bear makes a wish before heading inside to sleep.

Comments: Ideal for reading aloud as fall transitions into winter. Students can share their wishes and their thoughts on Bear’s wish.

The illustrations were made with pencil and watercolor and digitally altered.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book over to Little Red Autumn on the Farm with a red pickup truck with eyes at the headlights full of pumpkins and a crow. Fall trees are in the background.

Little Red, Autumn on the Farm

by Will Hillenbrand (Author)

Summary: Katie and her pickup truck, Little Red, help various vehicles around Shady Acre Farm when they break down while preparing for the harvest festival.

Comments: This story will delight toddlers and preschoolers who love vehicles. The theme of helping one another to create an event is valuable.

The illustrations were created digitally using Adobe Fresco and were designed to complement the autumn color scheme.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

A child with a hat and coat stands underneath a tree that is losing its orange leaves. A squirrel is on a branch above. Book Cover of The Secret of Fall

The Secret of Fall 

by John Coy (Author), Kristen Adam (Illustrator)

Summary:  This narrative nonfiction picture book explores tree leaves when they are green and why they turn colors in the autumn season.

Comments: What a wonderful book to explain photosynthesis in the simplest terms that young readers will understand.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

Book cover to In the Autumn Forest with a fox sitting on a hill looking across the land. The trees behind it are turning orange and yellow. There are birds flying together. The sky is turning gray.

In the Autumn Forest 

by DANIELA KULOT (Author, Illustrator), Elisabeth Lauffer (Translator)

Summary: Crow, Fox, and Mouse share the things they will miss about summer, while Squirrel is happy about autumn. In the distance, they all see a storm approaching, causing them to take shelter. After it passes, they come together in the forest again to share how they now feel about autumn approaching and are okay with it after the wind has shaken all of the fruit and nuts to the ground.

Comments: A lovely story to share with students in September before autumn arrives.

The illustrations were created with digital media.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

The book cover of How the Forest Feels with a grandson and grandfather walking in the autumn forest.

How the Forest Feels: Sensory Play Nature’s Way 

by Wendi Silvano (Author), Mirka Hokkanen (Illustrator)

Summary: A grandpa and his grandson take a walk in the forest during autumn, noticing all of the nature around them through touch, such as rough bark, feathery plants, and prickly thistle.

Comments: This is an interactive sensory story with rhyming text and beautiful illustrations created with watercolor on paper with digital touch-ups.

The back of the book has four helpful pages: “Author’s Note, “Make a Texture Mystery Box,” Go On a Texture Hunt!,” and “Stay Safe on Your Adventure.”

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Details and buying options are on this book’s Amazon page.

The cover for It's Fall is a young girl has her hands above her head where there are leaves falling from a tree. She is smiling as well as her dog and a flying bird

It’s Fall! (Celebrate the Seasons, 1)

by Renée Kurilla (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl shares what the fall season brings with back-to-school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

Comments: Illustrations are in yellows, reds, and oranges. The story is in rhyme.

What a fun book to share with young readers that introduces fall vocabulary.

Large single-page, double-page spreads, and vignette illustrations make this a read-aloud recommendation.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A multigenerational family and their dog are on a fall hike walking over rocks in a stream with trees of orange and yellow behind them

When Fall Comes: Connecting with Nature as the Days Grow Shorter (When Seasons Come) 

by Aimée M. Bissonette (Author), Erin Hourigan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Young readers will read how humans, wildlife, and nature prepare in the fall for the winter months ahead. Some will harvest and stock up on food, others will build places to sleep, while others will migrate to warmer weather.

Comments: This season series would be an excellent choice to have in any library. I’m looking forward to seeing When Spring Comes.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Blue tennis shoes are standing on fall colored fallen leaves

On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures 

by Buffy Silverman (Author)

Brief summary: When fall arrives, nature changes in many ways to prepare for winter.

Comments: Large and brilliant illustrations with fun adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to read aloud.

More in-depth explanations of fall changes are at the end of the book.

The back section includes What Treasures Will You Find in Fall?, Further Reading, and Glossary.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Hanging lit lanterns are handing from the ceiling

Mid-Autumn Festival (Traditions & Celebrations)

by Ailynn Collins (Author)

Brief summary: Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is globally celebrated by Asian people. Young readers will learn the origins of the holiday, the lunar calendar, and what traditions and foods people have to observe this holiday.

Comments: The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author. Bolded words are found in the glossary.

I wish we had these Traditions and Celebrations books when I was a child. I’m learning so much from reading them as an adult, which has broadened my understanding of other cultures.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A pile of apples on a wodden crate

Orchards (Trip to the Farm) 

by Ursula Pang (Author)

Brief summary: There are many orchards (farms where trees grow)producing fruit, nuts, seeds, syrup, and Christmas trees. Young readers will learn about each type of orchard.

Comments: I placed this book in the fall section as when I think of orchards, I think of apple or fruit orchards because those are the ones in my area that are harvested in the fall. I also had those teachers book requests for fall units before they went and visited a nearby apple orchard.

I enjoyed reading and learning about the different types of orchards and when they were harvested.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a certified, retired elementary school librarian who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

New Children’s Book Recs–Week of November 12, 2023
Children's Book Recommendations

New Children’s Book Recs–Week of November 12, 2023

The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

New Children’s Book Recommendations–Week of November 12, 2023 are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

Cover of the Book: Braeden wearing a green jacket holding a box of small paper bags with a homeless man and his dog in the background

Just One Pebble: One Boy’s Quest to End Hunger 

by Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky (Author), Sara Casilda (Illustrator)

Brief summary:  Braeden sees a homeless man on the side of the road as he and his mother drive to the store. Once he gets home, Braeden still thinks about the man and what his life must be like living on the streets. He makes a bag of snacks and things the person may need before asking his mom to take him back to the man.

Braeden puts together more bags and goes to a soup kitchen. When passing them out, he discovers a boy his age is there. Braeden is becoming increasingly aware of those less fortunate than himself, including children his age.

On Monday, his principal allows him to speak to everyone about his Brae’s Brown Bags(3B) to help those who need food, inspiring others to help.

Comments: This book is based on a true story about Braden Mannering, who raises awareness about how others can help those with food insecurity.

The back sections are   About Braeden, One Simple Bag, and A Word From Braeden. 

Teachers could read this book to students during their next food-drive to demonstrate how children can make a difference.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary digital copy of this children’s book from the author to give an honest review.

Braeden Mannering’s website is https://braesbrownbags.org/

A beautiful Nokomis girl with long hair with the forest and river and yellow sun in the background. A bird, fish, butterfly and feather are on the cover of the book.

My Powerful Hair 

by Carole Lindstrom (Author), Steph Littlebird (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl tells how she can’t wait for her hair to grow long. She explains how her ancestors grew long hair, as hair is their memories and source of strength. The girl shares the milestones of her life and how her hair grows parallel to those special events.

Comments: Readers learn why the young girl’s mother has always had short hair and what it means to have hair cut short in her Indigenous culture.

This book’s back pages explain the belief that hair holds strength and power and includes an Author’s note.

Rating: 4.5/5 📗📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A woman with long hair with animals shown within it

The cover of the book is an illustration of each zodiac object around the words Night Lights with a blue starry night background

Night Lights 

by Jeannie K. Johnson (Author)

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Juju Press
  • Year: 2023
  • Grades: 3-6
  • Paperback short stories ‏ : ‎ 94 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1088075509

Brief summary: Young readers will read Zodiac-inspired fables that are new and modern interpretations of twelve constellations, paired together in six short stories: the Ram and the Fish, the Water Bearer and the Goat, the Archer and the Scorpion, the Scales and the Maiden, the Lion and the Crab, and the Twins and the Bull.

Comments: These fables are variants of the Roman/Greek constellation stories. They are original and inspired by the Zodiac.

Each chapter begins with a colorful illustration and ends with the constellation pairing.

This could be a read-aloud to young and older students.

A creative writing idea is reading aloud one of the stories and having students create their own modern fable of one of the constellations.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary digital copy of this children’s book from the author to give an honest review.

Book Cover: Snowing in a hollow with winter trees on either side with Hubert, the little mouse wearing a red jacket and gray scarf holding a book looking up with a scared look.

The Voice in the Hollow 

by Will Hillenbrand (Author)

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Holiday House
  • Year: 2023
  • Grades: PreK-3
  • Hardcover ‏ picture book: ‎ 40 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0823436810

Brief summary: A blizzard causes the library to close early. Hubert must walk home in the storm, deciding a shortcut through the Hollow would get him home quicker. Although it looked spooky and the wind picked up, the mouse entered the Hollow. He was met by a fox who took his hand, and they made a dangerous trek across the snow-covered landscape. He safely returns home to his parents and siblings to share his adventure.

Comments: The illustrations expressed and captured the snowfall and coldness of the blizzard with a beautiful double gatefold at the story’s climax.

This would be a perfect fit snow story for young readers on a gray wintery day. 

Teachers teaching winter units should definitely include this picture book.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A girl wearing a blue bicycle helmet riding a red bike on the sidewalk with yellow and orange leaves on the ground. The sky and road is gray.

Nothing Ever Happens on a Gray Day 

by Grant Snider (Author

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chronicle Books
  • Year: 2023
  • Grades: PreK-3
  • Hardcover ‏ picture book: ‎ 44 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1797210890

Brief summary: As Fall slowly turns towards Winter, a girl rides her bike through her gray neighborhood, crunching through the fallen leaves to the playground, where she goes on a Nature walk into the woods nearby, seeing more and more colors as she explores.

Comments: This is a quiet story of a girl’s solitude and exploring the world around her area. In its conclusion, we can see how her gray day becomes full of colors.

The front end papers feature gray/blue fallen leaves, and the back end papers feature bright yellow/orange leaves visually representing the picture book’s changing mood and color scheme throughout the story.

This is a perfect read-aloud for young ones.

Rating: 5/5 📗📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted. 

Halloween Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023
Children's Book Recommendations

Halloween Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023

The Retired School Librarian1 Comment

Halloween Children’s Books–2023 recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

Picture Books

Halloween scene in the apple orchard with scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns, pumpkins, squash, ghosts, apples, a tractor, and a black cat

Halloween in the Orchard (Countryside Holidays, 3) 

by Phyllis Alsdurf (Author), Lisa Hunt (Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young boy and his parents dress up in costumes to visit an orchard on Halloween, where there are many fun activities, including trick-or-treating with scarecrows, a corn maze, and a hayride.

Comments: What child(or adult) wouldn’t like to go to an apple orchard like this on Halloween night!?!

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

This is the third book of the Countryside Holidays series.

Bruce the bear has a grumpy look on his face as he stands on a stage wearing clothing from the 1800s while his three mice friends are in disguises or inside a pumpkin full of Halloween candy

Bruce and the Legend of Soggy Hollow (Mother Bruce Series) 

by Ryan T. Higgins (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: Although grumpy Bruce does not like holidays, especially Halloween, with all of those visitors appearing at his door, Bruce gets talked into and agrees to role-playing a scary story called “The Legend of Soggy Hollow” with his forest friends…but were they indeed all of his friends?

Comments: A cute and hilarious parody of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, one of my favorite spooky stories.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Dokkaebi Doki and Kebi are in the countryside with their magical clubs

The Goblin Twins 

by Frances Cha (Author), Jaime Kim (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Doki and Kebi are dokkaebi, a cross between a spirit and a goblin, who will need to move, as their home was being torn down to build a new one. Although Doki likes to give gifts of gold and silver to people with his magic club while his twin, Kebi, wants to scare people with his, they decide to live together in a haunted house in a strange land called America just in time for Halloween.

Comments: This is based on Korean lore. A more detailed explanation can be found in the back of the book in the Author’s Note.

I love to read monster/mythical creature lore from other countries. This would make an excellent addition to the Halloween or folklore section of a library.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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Nonfiction

There are pumpkins and jack-o- lanterns with lit candles and a fake black spider on the steps of a house for the traditional Halloween house

Halloween (Traditions & Celebrations) 

by Charles C Hofer (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn how Halloween began, how we celebrate it today, and how other countries(Mexico, Germany, France, and Japan) celebrate holidays like it.

Comments: Words in bold are in the glossary. The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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Jack-o-lantern with a candle inside, a black cat, spilt candy corn, and bats are spread on the cover of this Halloween book

Halloween (Holiday History)

by Spanier Kristine Mlis (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn about the origins of Halloween, the traditions, and how South Korea and Ireland celebrate.

Comments: Several “Did You Know?” squares give more information about the page’s topic. The back sections are Quick Facts & Tools: Halloween Place of Origin, Glossary, Index, and To Learn More.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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🍂🍁Related book recommendations are Fall Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023 and Pumpkin Children’s Books–2023. 🍂🍁

Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted. 

Fall Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023
Children's Book Recommendations

Fall Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction–2023

The Retired School Librarian5 Comments

Fall Children’s Books: Picture Books and Nonfiction book recommendations–2023 are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.)

The cover for It's Fall is a young girl has her hands above her head where there are leaves falling from a tree. She is smiling as well as her dog and a flying bird

It’s Fall! (Celebrate the Seasons, 1)

by Renée Kurilla (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl shares what the fall season brings with back-to-school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

Comments: Illustrations are in yellows, reds, and oranges. The story is in rhyme.

What a fun book to share with young readers that introduces fall vocabulary.

Large single-page, double-page spreads, and vignette illustrations make this a read-aloud recommendation.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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A multigenerational family and their dog are on a fall hike walking over rocks in a stream with trees of orange and yellow behind them

When Fall Comes: Connecting with Nature as the Days Grow Shorter (When Seasons Come) 

by Aimée M. Bissonette (Author), Erin Hourigan (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Young readers will read how humans, wildlife, and nature prepare in the fall for the winter months ahead. Some will harvest and stock up on food, others will build places to sleep, while others will migrate to warmer weather.

Comments: This season series would be an excellent choice to have in any library. I’m looking forward to seeing When Spring Comes.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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Nonfiction

Blue tennis shoes are standing on fall colored fallen leaves

On a Gold-Blooming Day: Finding Fall Treasures 

by Buffy Silverman (Author)

Brief summary: When fall arrives, nature changes in many ways to prepare for winter.

Comments: Large and brilliant illustrations with fun adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to read aloud.

More in-depth explanations of fall changes are at the end of the book.

The back section includes What Treasures Will You Find in Fall?, Further Reading, and Glossary.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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Hanging lit lanterns are handing from the ceiling

Mid-Autumn Festival (Traditions & Celebrations)

by Ailynn Collins (Author)

Brief summary: Mid-Autumn Festival, also called the Moon or Mooncake Festival, is globally celebrated by Asian people. Young readers will learn the origins of the holiday, the lunar calendar, and what traditions and foods people have to observe this holiday.

Comments: The back sections are Glossary, Read More, Internet Sites, Index, and About the Author. Bolded words are found in the glossary.

I wish we had these Traditions and Celebrations books when I was a child. I’m learning so much from reading them as an adult, which has broadened my understanding of other cultures.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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A pile of apples on a wodden crate

Orchards (Trip to the Farm) 

by Ursula Pang (Author)

Brief summary: There are many orchards (farms where trees grow)producing fruit, nuts, seeds, syrup, and Christmas trees. Young readers will learn about each type of orchard.

Comments: I placed this book in the fall section as when I think of orchards, I think of apple or fruit orchards because those are the ones in my area that are harvested in the fall. I also had those teachers book requests for fall units before they went and visited a nearby apple orchard.

I enjoyed reading and learning about the different types of orchards and when they were harvested.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted. 

Pumpkin Children’s Picture Books
Children's Book Recommendations

Pumpkin Children’s Picture Books

The Retired School Librarian3 Comments

Pumpkin Children’s Books 2023 recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, she may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.

See a Pumpkin Grow (See It Grow!) 

by Kirsten Chang (Author)

Brief summary: Young readers will learn the pumpkin’s life cycle and what uses there are with this fruit.

Comments: Words and photos are large, with many nonfiction text features. The back sections are Glossary, To Learn More, and Index.

This book also comes in library binding.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

This is part of the See It Grow! series.

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Zoo animals sitting on a gigantic pumpkin

Pumpkin Day at the Zoo 

by Susan Meissner (Author), Pablo Pino (Illustrator)

Brief summary: It’s Pumpkin Day at the zoo when the zoo animals receive yummy pumpkins to eat from families who donate their uncarved and unpainted pumpkins.

Comments: The illustrations are vivid and humorous. The text is a mix of fonts and sizes that are fun to say aloud with many descriptive adjectives, alliterations, and all in rhyming sentences.

The back page does have a word about pumpkin donations to zoos.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

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A little old lady is picking up a pumpkin with a black bird and black dog next to her.

There Was an Old Lady Who Picked a Pumpkin!

by Lucille Colandro (Author), Jared Lee (Illustrator)

Brief summary: There was an old lady who went on the school bus to a farm looking for a pumpkin patch. She and the students follow the sign and see many farm items before finding the patch. Each child picks out a pumpkin and hops back onto the bus.

Comments: This is a fun fall early reader in rhyme. The book is not the usual cumulative “There was an old lady” who eats something book.

Rating: 3/5 📗📗📗

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Molly is looking through the leafy vines at a large pumpkin. Bee is flying around

The Pie That Molly Grew 

by Sue Heavenrich (Author), Chamisa Kellogg (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Molly plants a pumpkin seed and transplants the sprout to watch it grow into a vine with yellow flowers. After all of the care she has given to produce the ripened pumpkin, Molly bakes a pie.

Comments: Cumulative story of the pumpkin’s life cycle.

The back pages have four additional informative sections: American Pie, How to Turn a Pumpkin Into Pie, When You’re Ready to Make the Pie…, and No Bees.No Pie.

Rating: 3.5/5 📗📗📗1/2

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A red headed girl in pigtails is standing outside a brick house that has a glowing jack o' lantern in the window with leaves and the wind blowing

Lila and the Jack-o’-Lantern: Halloween Comes to America

by Nancy Churnin (Author), Anneli Bray  (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Lila, an Irish immigrant, is on the ship in 1850 with her mother and two siblings on the way to America, where their father waits for them to join him. They talk about a spirit named Jack that visits homes on Halloween night to play pranks. They would carve a turnip and place a glowing coal inside so Jack sees it and leaves them alone. They wear sheets and knock on doors for sweets. When Lila arrives and sees that there are no turnips, she improvises with the help of her new friend Julia, who learns about the foods and traditions of Halloween in Ireland.

Comments:  This would be a great read- aloud for students to learn the origins of Halloween.

The back pages are Author’s Note and Colcannon and Barmbrack.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Children’s book titles are carefully handpicked by a certified elementary school librarian who, although retired, still enjoys reading children’s books, especially picture books, and recommending them to busy teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book lovers.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris reads before recommending are checked out from the public library, except for those much-appreciated complimentary copies sent to her for an honest review. Those are noted.