Happy first day of fall, everyone! (my favorite season!) While many things feel unsettled and unpredictable, one thing that we can always predict is the changing of seasons. And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate fall than with some new fall books (and a few fall favorites!)
Leif and the Fall – Alison Sweet Grant
A little leaf is afraid to fall and and is determined to find a different way down. With his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute all in hopes of softening his landing. Great book for STEAM and growth mindset! Students could design their own way of helping Leif down.
Delightful introduction to the life cycle of trees. Beautiful illustrations!
Dance Like a Leaf – AJ Irving
This one took me a little by surprise. As her grandmother’s health declines, a young girl takes the lead in their cozy shared autumn traditions. Poetic prose and beautiful illustrations. So much more than a book celebrating fall, this is a beautiful celebration of life and a gentle introduction to the death of a loved one.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn – Kenard Pak
A young girl takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season and saying good-bye to summer. This is one of a series of “Hello, Goodye” to seasons. I always think of my Grannie when I read this book. Like the little girl in this story, she used to talk to every flower and creature and gust of wind.
Little Goose’s Autumn – Elli Woodlard
A beautiful, uplifting story about a little goose trying to find her place in the world. Lyrical text, gorgeous illustrations and full of hope. A perfect anchor book for “SELF”.
Le temps au fil des jours – Martha E.H. Rustad
See the changes in the weather and explore how people and animals get ready for cooler temperatures. Great for building French vocabulary. This is one of a series of four season books.
The Scarecrow – Beth Ferry
This book is likely my favorite book from 2019. A gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share. Emotional exploration of loneliness and love. Kleenex, please. Translated into French and available online as a read-aloud.
Lawrence in the Fall – Matthew Farima
Lawrence the fox is the only student in the class without a collection for sharing. His father takes him into the forest and Lawrence discovers an endless collection of fall leaves. Lovely muted blue/brown illustrations. This would be an excellent tie-in to leaf collecting, nature walks, or tree identification (final endpapers show the leaves he collects).
Full of Fall – April Pulley Sayre
Simple, rhythmic text in a beautiful font support this absolutely beautiful photographic journey of a tree. Full color photographs so real you can almost smell the leaves. Great information at the end for budding scientists.
“So long, summer. Green, goodbye! Hello, yellow. Greetings, gold.
Oh-it’s orange! Red, be bold.”
Hello Autumn! – Shelley Rotner
Simple text and bright, vivid photographs show readers the changes in animals, plants, and landscapes that occur during fall. Great for early primary!
Awesome Autumn – All Kinds of Fall Facts and Fun – Bruce Goldstone
I have used this book many times with students. It’s jam packet with so many facts about fall – everything from the environment and weather, plants and animals, traditions, sports, clothing, activities. Lots of curriculum connections in this one!
Autumn Math Walk – Deanna Pecaski McLennan
I discovered this series over the summer and posted them on my Outdoor Learning blog. Love the celebration Math in the natural world and the suggestions for outdoor learning. A perfect anchor for sparking mathematical conversations about shapes, patterns, and numbers in the fall.
Summer Green to Autumn Gold – Uncovering Leaves’ Hidden Colors – Mia Posada
This nonfiction picture book beautifully explains why leaves change color in fall. It combines the vibrant colors of fall with interesting facts. Scientific facts and links to hands-on activities included at the back. Great link to both Science and Art.
Autumblings – Douglas Florian
Douglas Florian is my all-time favorite, go-to poet for teaching poetry. I love his style, his word play, his humour and his illustrations. So many of his poems can be used to inspire poetry writing! This book is a follow up his other season poetry books Winter Eyes and Summersaults. (I have them all!)
What is your favorite fall book to share with your students?
Thanks for stopping by! And I hope you found one or two new books you are excited about! Happy reading and happy fall, everyone!
Are these available in French?
I have included one french title and one book, The Scarecrow, I have included a link to the French translation – if you read through the blog, you will see these. Others may be available in French but you would have to do the search.
These are great!!! I am the author of To the Cider Mill – kids color and add their won art along! I would love to be part of this group! I can email you the book in a file or the book itself. It will be available on Amazon soon! You can see its facebook page by title.