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28 Fall Books for Kids to Celebrate the Coziest Season

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The air is getting crisper, Halloween costumes are on your radar and pumpkin spice is everywhere. Yep, autumn is upon us, which means it's time to add some fresh reads to your collection of fall books for kids. Fortunately, our list of favorites—complete with rhyming board books, science-based stories and artsy picture books—is here to help fill in the gaps in your family library.

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A small child holds a pumpkin while walking in a fall landscape. In front of her is a rooster and a basket of red apples.
Amazon

1. Apple and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

Beautiful watercolor illustrations bring to life the beloved fall pastime of picking apples and hunting down the perfect pumpkin on a picturesque farm.

Centered in the front is a large orange leaf. The green hungry caterpillar sits atop the leaf. Other smaller red and orange leaves make up the background.
Amazon

2. The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Fall by Eric Carle

Here, a seasonal twist on the Eric Carle classic in which the very hungry caterpillar delights in all the harbingers of fall, from the changing leaves to the brisk, refreshing air.

A puppy peers into a basket full of red and green apples.
Amazon

3. Biscuit and the Great Fall Day by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

This simple but charming story gives a rundown of all the joys of the season, as experienced by an oh-so lovable pup. Snuggle up with this one and your little one will no longer be lamenting the end of summer.

A close up of a big red maple leaf with some yellow leaves behind it.
Amazon

4. Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre

This fascinating ode to the changing leaves of fall boasts breathtaking photo illustrations and text that goes beyond the cutesy seasonal stuff. In fact, it provides young readers with an immersive sensory experience and a healthy dose of science, to boot.

A little old lady in a checkered top inhales tons of leaves. There are leaves and pumpkins on the ground along with a dog that has some in its mouth.
Amazon

5. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves by Lucille Colandro

Part of the bestselling There Was an Old Lady series, this whimsical number will keep kids thoroughly engaged as they wonder what fall-themed item the quirky main character will swallow next.

Three little children, all holding autumn leaves walk in a line through a forest. Lots of leaves make up a border around the drawing.
Amazon

6. We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger

The adventure-seeking trio from the popular song and picture book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt have a new mission: to collect the best and most beautiful autumn leaves.

Many fall leaves in oranges, reds, yellows, and greens are arranged to look like a little man with a surprised expression.
Amazon

7. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator Lois Ehlert crafts an imaginative and strikingly beautiful tribute to fall in this story about a Leaf Man who travels whichever way the breeze takes him.

A little kid in a scarf along with its spotted dog walk through a red and green autumnal scene.
Amazon

8. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenneth Pak

Muted watercolor illustrations and spare text combine to tell a decidedly subdued story about a little girl’s stroll through the forest and the signs of changing seasons she encounters.

A suspicious little squirrel in an autumnal forest holds onto some yellow and red leaves.
Amazon

9. The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming

Is a leaf thief at work or is it simply the changing of seasons? Everyone will enjoy reading this subtly hilarious whodunnit in which a squirrel tries to crack the case of the missing leaves.

A little fox stands on a tree trunk poking at the falling leaves.
Amazon

10. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson

Much like Fletcher the Fox, young readers will be filled with wonder and empathy as they discover the changing seasons by way of this beautifully illustrated and poetic storybook.

A scarecrow in a checkered shirt, overalls, and straw hat stands in front of a wheat field with its arms spread out. A little bird sits on its shoulders.
Amazon

11. The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry

This poignant picture book relies on classic fall symbols (i.e., a scarecrow and crow) to tell a moving story about finding friendship and love in unexpected places. If you’re looking for something with a little more depth, this one fits the bill.

A big white moon on an orange background. There's a witch on a broom flying through the scene along with some bats. She leaves a trail of green dust.
Amazon

12. How to Catch a Witch by Alice Walstead

Because you can’t have a fall book collection without at least one (very mildly) spooky Halloween story about witches, goblins and ghouls.

A small child in a yellow coat and blue scarf and hat sweeps through hundreds of leaves, leaving a clear path behind them.
Amazon

13. Sweep by Louise Greig

Fall leaves serve as a powerful motif in this poetic and thoughtful story about coping when big feelings start to take control.

A cluster of red and yellow maple leaves.
Amazon

14. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Elhert

Another winner by Lois Elhert, Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf is a feast for the eyes (think: vibrant collages of watercolor leaves and found objects) and chock full of facts about trees, to boot.

Two little children play in a pile of leaves near a lake. It is a very red autumn and you can see their reflections in the blue lake.
Amazon

15. Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland

Loretta Holland’s poetic text is sparse but informative, and the breathtaking illustrations boast an ethereal glow. The end result is a magical tribute to the season that’s sure to enchant readers of all ages.

A little girl picks some apples off of a tree in a big field. The sun is shining down. Apples make up a border on the book.
Amazon

16. Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington

Toddlers and preschoolers will be charmed by this upbeat and exceedingly simple story about everything you can do with the season’s signature fruit. (Bonus: There are even some tasty apple recipes at the end.)

A bear leans over to look at an orange leaf on a forest path.
Amazon

17. Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Elegant illustrations and a childlike main character combine to make a board book that’s just right for teaching even the tiniest tots about the changing seasons.

A cluster of swirly trees that all have bright yellow leaves.
Amazon

18. Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer

With vibrant imagery and lyrical text, Lauren Stringer’s ode to fall perfectly captures the joyful anticipation and fleeting beauty of the season.

A fox looks up at a sparse tree with orange leaves.
Amazon

19. Little Tree by Loren Long

This gorgeously illustrated story about a little tree who’s struggling to let go of his leaves come fall is both touching and unexpectedly thought-provoking.

An acorn with two leaves sits in a field of grass.
Amazon

20. Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer

A whole ecosystem comes to life in this magical story…and it all starts with a single acorn.

A bare tree has only one little yellow leaf left. In the background, a little rabbit hides behind a tree watching.
Amazon

21. The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

Much like Little Tree, this is a poignant and seasonally-appropriate story about a stubborn autumn leaf faced with some tough lessons on letting go and growing up.

A little autumnal forest scene featuring falling leaves, acorns, squirrels, and mushrooms.
Amazon

22. Leaves: An Autumn Pop-Up Book by Janet Lawler

Award-winning author Janet Lawler, illustrator Lindsay Dale-Scott and paper engineer Yoojin Kim join forces to create a delightfully interactive book about the beauty of fall leaves. Suffice it to say, this is not your average pop-up book.

A little kid and some monsters in a pumpkin patch look a bit confused. The title is spelled out in mismatched items like pencils, bats, rakes, and more.
Amazon

23. Fall Mixed Up by Robert Raczka

Another interactive book a la Dr. Seuss’s Wacky Wednesday, this playful number challenges young readers to find all the wacky mistakes hidden in the fall scenery on every page.

Two little children play fight in a pile of red and orange leaves.
Amazon

24. Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Betsy Maestro

Part of the “Let’s-Read-and-Find-OutScience series,” this one gives kids an age-appropriate introduction to the biological processes behind the changing leaves, as well as a range of fun activities to try at home with their own leaf collection.

A big pile of orange and red leaves.
Amazon

25. Awesome Autumn: All Kinds of Fun Facts and Fun by Bruce Goldstone

Changing leaves, hibernating animals, harvest season, Halloween festivities—this easy read covers all the seasonal bases.

A bare trees loses its leaves. The colorful leaves pile around the base of the tree.
Amazon

26. Fall Is Not Easy by Marty Kelley

Here, jaunty rhyming text and a healthy dose of humor are used to tell the story of a tree who just doesn’t like fall and the changes it brings. Read this at story time and the whole family will have a good chuckle.

Four bears holding pumpkins march in a line in front of an old house on a hill. Autumnal leaves are falling from the trees on the hill.
Amazon

27. The Autumn Visitors by Karel Hayes

Karel Hayes’ story features a gang of bears who go incognito in an attempt to avail themselves of all the fall festivities. Clever and cheeky, this wholesome read will surely capture the imagination of any mischievous child.

A little kid chases down a giant pumpkin on a windy pathway.
Amazon

28. The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders

Beautiful illustrations and a whimsical, silly narrative about a runaway pumpkin make this quick read a shoo-in at bedtime.


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