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Every season—winter, spring, summer, and fall, has its own set of books that capture the unique colors, the fun, and the changes that define that particular season. Autumn tends to be a special time of year filled with all sorts of things. Autumn tends to be a special time of year for many people, especially as the greens of summer turn to yellows and reds. The air becomes crisp and cool, yet there’s coziness about it. Maybe it’s the anticipation of the coming festivities, such as Halloween and Thanksgiving, times of gathering and familiarity. Whatever the reason, there are several children’s books that capture the season’s beauty, both in story and in illustration.
I Know It’s Autumn (by Eileen Spinelli, author & Nancy Hayashi, illustrator, 2004). It may seem obvious why this book is on this list and it’s true! This book is all about the autumn season, depicting scenes many adults already associate with the season, with a story told in an easy to read rhyme. The book has a certain, unmistakable warmth that kids can easily identify with and perhaps even things they’ll want to explore themselves. Pumpkin muffins, anyone?
Leaf Man (by Lois Ehlert, 2005). He may not be a member of the Avengers (yet!), but he certainly on his way, has he has this habit of appearing everywhere. This book features a huge assortment of illustrations based on real leaves. Kids can explore the variety of shapes, sizes and colors while following the tale of Leaf Man. Then the story can continue in real life as it encourages the exploration of nature. Kids will want to venture to out into the backyard or park to see and feel the changing leaves and it’s creates the perfect opportunity to explore why leaves change color and tumble to the ground.
Monster Needs a Costume (by Paul Czajak, author, & Wendy Grieb, illustrator, 2013). This book has the unique honor of being the newest book on this list, as it was first available in September. It’s also the debut book of Paul Czajak and Wendy Grieb. The book’s timing could not be more perfect (discounting months of strategic planning) since there really isn’t any reason a monster would need a costume in May (of course, I could be wrong about that). It’s a fun Halloween-themed story that explores a dilemma all trick-or-treaters face. What should I be for Halloween?
Pumpkin Soup (by Helen Cooper, 2005) This story richly and whimsically uses the colors most often associated with the season, heavy on the deep reds and oranges, with browns and blacks mixed in for good measure. But, let’s not forget about the memorable characters! The story follows a cat, a duck, and a squirrel who’s lives revolve around pumpkin soup. It’s a story that not only explores the season, but takes a good look at friendship, including what it means to be friends.
The Stranger (by Chris Van Allsburg, 1986). The author of other classics, such as Jumanij and The Polar Express (a book for winter!), takes readers deep into the harvest season with a bit of a mystery. In many ways, the main character is the personification of the changing seasons—from summer to fall—and brings in a human element, while remaining firmly mysterious, to this change, which not only sparks the imagination, but encourages fun speculation about the story’s main character.
About the Author: Elaine
Wynn is a former grade school teacher and mother to 3 wonderful kids. Though she took time off to raise her family, she remained dedicated to education as a supporter of literary causes and the arts. Most recently she has taken an interest in personalized books for kids and loves to find new ways to encourage reading.
