"With summer winding down as quickly as it started, we’re all giving our spirits and our homes a little fall refresh. One great way to do that is to switch up the books on your kids’ shelves. Doing so instantly adds a little touch of whatever season you’re in (fall books for kids are so charming), and books also help to promote an awareness of how life—including our own!—goes through cycles as the year evolves.
With the leaves starting to change and the weather getting cooler, your little ones might be reaching for their shelves a bit more. Creating family time centered around reading together is not only a special way to bond, but it also seems like a quintessential fall activity, doesn’t it?
Here are some of our favorite fall books for kids (we’ve noted which ones are available in board book for your tiniest readers)—let us know if we’ve missed any of yours!
Don’t cry over spilled pumpkins. Tag along as a group of resourceful kids band together to figure out what to do with a lone, intact pumpkin and a spread of smashed ones. Plus, there’s a fall pumpkin recipe at the end of the book!
A stunning, interactive book. Through his writing, author Raczka encourages little readers to correct all the fall things going wrong within the pages of this fun story.
This quintessential fall read has all you need to get into the change-of-seasons spirit! It features nature-based crafts, delicious baking recipes, and gardening projects all with an eco-friendly focus.
Fall—and this enchanting picture book— reminds us of all we have to be grateful for like apples, hazelnuts, and sweater-weather. Make sure you try with your little one the scrumptious apple cake recipe at the end. You might want to even add the cake as part of your Thanksgiving feast!
Sweet little fox Fletcher is worried about his favorite tree—her leaves are falling off! Follow him on a woodland adventure as he tries to help.
On a trip to the farmer’s market with her parents, little Sophie chooses a squash. Rather than eat it, she starts bringing it everywhere. This award-winning story can be a charming addition to any fall book collection.
This interactive lift-a-flap book follows a chipmunk to help your little one discover all the outdoor things that encompass fall.
Follow a little girl and her dog on a walk through the forest and town as they see the signs of the changing seasons.
When Marla’s pumpkin rolls away, a simple and sometimes silly story ensues.
When a pumpkin-hating gardener, Rebecca, buries one that has fallen in her yard to forget about it, she must find a way to deal with a sea of them.
Discovered verses from Goodnight Moon author Margaret Wise Brown make up this picture book celebrating the changing seasons.
also available in board book
This poetic picture book has nature’s fall transformation on display.
Bright and beautiful, this story follows animals and kids as they celebrate the special once-a-year yellow season before winter turns everything snowy white.
Told from Little Acorn’s point of view, young children will love following along and learning what happens as an acorn becomes a tree.
also available in board book
This classic by Caldecott Honor-winning author and illustrator Lois Ehlert follows Leaf Man, who must go where the wind blows.
Follow the excitement of a whole new world in the eyes of a wild, little acorn.
A journey of the last leaf that doesn’t want to fall. Will Lance, the leaf, learn to let go and embrace the new season?
Learn the seasonal life cycle of a pumpkin with this beautifully illustrated book.
With die-cut pages, this book shows the lifecycle of a tree and the interconnectedness of nature—from birds who nest in the branches to seeds that turn into flowers.
The new scarecrow on Otis the tractor’s farm always has a frown, so the rest of the farm leaves him alone. But Otis can’t stop thinking about him in this poignant tale about loneliness and compassion.
It’s little calf Fergus’s first fall, and he doesn’t want things to change. Vehicle-obsessed little ones will love following this autumnal story.
This silly story will have little ones laughing as a squirrel tries to find out who stole his leaf.
Poor pumpkin waits in the pumpkin patch for someone to take him home—but no one does. Find out what happens to him as Thanksgiving rolls around.
also available in board book
Follow the endearing duo Duck and Goose as they search for a perfect fall pumpkin.
also available in board book
Best friend hedgehogs Horace and Hattie hear a squeak from a tree as they’re watching the falling leaves and wonder if they’ve found another friend to play with.
also available in board book
As little ones page through this colorful peek-through board book, they see a new set of animals appear and disappear in the forest as the seasons change.
An ode to the bond of humans and trees, this rhyming book is a magical tribute to the wondrous presence of trees in our lives. Not only will little ones feel a sense of protectiveness for these sacred leafy beings, but they will love the glowing pictures and engaging worksheets included.
Splat the Cat and companion Seymour have taken an adventure to the pumpkin patch, and naturally have chosen the most epic-sized pumpkin. The question is, how are they ever going to get something this massive home? Enjoyable to the very end and includes 30+ adorable stickers for added fun.
The only cutie more precious than Biscuit the puppy is your little one! And your LO will savor Biscuit’s celebration of fall activities like apple picking, playing in leaves, riding a tractor, and more. The story’s language has been ideally crafted for emerging readers, too!
Every page of this sensory-laden board book features different fall favorites—like leaves, sweaters, trees, and pinecones—with varying textures to explore. It’s as lovely for tactical play as it is for early learners to discover new words.
As part of the beloved There Was an Old Lady series, this time the Old Lady has swallowed leaves, clothes, a pumpkin, and a rope! Follow this rhyme’s silly seasonal story and discover what happens to the Old Lady upon her latest ‘diet.’
Patty Schepel, Editorial Intern
As the editorial intern, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
Ojus Patel, Former Editor
Ojus is a freelance writer, editor, and former teacher who specialized in early childhood special education. In addition to The Everymom, her work has been featured on Babylist, Cubby, Apartment Therapy, The Kitchn, Romper, and The Everygirl. When not chasing her two boys, Arian and Shea, and snuggling her daughter, Zadie, Ojus loves to write about the layered complexities of motherhood.