Fall is the start of cozy, comforting routines and there's nothing like cozying up with a good book to celebrate the season!
As the days get shorter and cooler, our family loves diving into stories that capture the magic of autumn—everything from pumpkin patches and apple orchards to hayrides and harvest festivals. Even though we live in Texas, where the leaves don’t turn as vibrantly and the temperatures still hover around the 80s, fall-themed books help us experience the joys of the season that we don’t always see firsthand.
Each year, my daughters eagerly pull out our collection of fall books for kids, greeting them like old friends. Even though some of these stories are now too easy for them, they hold a special place in our hearts and continue to bring joy to our home.
From tales of whimsical scarecrows to stories of squirrels gathering acorns, these books not only entertain but also spark our imaginations, making us feel like we’re part of that quintessential autumn experience—even if we're still in flip-flops and shorts.
Whether you're looking to introduce your little ones to the season or just want to add some cozy reads to your family's bookshelf, I hope these fall books for kids become beloved favorites in your home, too. There’s something so comforting about reading together and creating seasonal traditions, and I can’t wait to share these stories that capture the sounds, smells, and magic of fall. Let’s dive into a pile of leaves, even if only through the pages of a book!
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How to Make Reading Fun (and More Doable) in the Fall
Depending on how old your kids are, you might find it harder to make time for reading as everyone’s schedules naturally get busier. But studies show that even short bursts of reading — think 10 minutes — can improve kids’ reading comprehension, communicational skills, and overall performance in school.
Here are a few ways to help your kids read in the fall:
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Set aside time for reading. This could be at the same time everyday or whenever your schedule allows. One easy time for most families is between dinner and bedtime. Remember, 10 minutes makes a difference!
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Choose books they’ll enjoy. Grab a bunch of books and see what your kids gravitate toward. Even if you’re selecting fall books for toddlers, you’ll notice they might have you read certain stories more than others.
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Create a cozy reading spot. Fall is all about being cozy! This is the perfect time to create a comfy spot for kids to read. Get them all set up with cozy chairs or beanbags, pillows, blankets, and stuffies.
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Read with them. Even independent readers still enjoy being read to! Reading with kids — or knowing what happens in the books they’re reading — will help foster a love of reading and encourage conversations between you and your kids.
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Let books inspire them. Fall books for kids are a great way to inspire family bonding and fun activities — like going to a pumpkin patch, collecting leaves for fall crafts, or baking seasonal treats.
My Favorite Fall Books for Kids
The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Fall
This is a great book to add to your list of fall books for babies and fall books for toddlers. As always, Eric Carle uses vivid illustrations, simple wording, and sensory experiences to introduce the concept of fall to little ones. Ages 1+
Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin
My kids loved this board book when they were younger. Follow Duck & Goose as they look everywhere for a pumpkin—in the apple tree, in the leaf pile, inside a hollow log… Where will they find it? Ages 1+
Little Acorn
With its colorful illustrations and simple rhyming text, this padded board book is a cute addition to your collection of fall books for toddlers. If your little one is naturally drawn to acorns, they’ll love this story of a small acorn’s journey into becoming a big oak tree. Ages 1+
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through the forest and town, greeting all the signs of a new season. With each hello — to trees, animals, and more — kids learn how nature changes and how everyone gets prepared for fall. .Ages 2+
We're Going on a Leaf Hunt
Join three friends as they go on a leaf-finding adventure! This book is a fun read with simple rhyming text and sound effects — or you can sing it to the tune of “We’re going on a bear hunt.” Ages 2+
Fancy Nancy and the Fall Foliage
Fall is Nancy’s favorite season. As her parents rake up the leaves in their yard, Nancy admires all of the leaves’ unique shapes and beautiful colors. Every year, she does something creative with them — and this year is no different! Ages 2+
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves!
There was an old lady who swallowed some leaves. I don't know why she swallowed those leaves. Perhaps she'll sneeze! This is a fun read-aloud for kids that keeps them guessing on what will happen next. Ages 2+
Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin-Picking Plan
Splat goes on an adventure to pick out the perfect pumpkin. But there’s one big problem — how will he get it home? This is a sweet story with lots of silly mishaps from a lovable cat. Ages 2+
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
One of my kids all-time favorite books, no matter what the season. As the leaves fall from his favorite tree, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. But then winter comes, and with it a wonderful surprise. Ages 2+
The Falling Leaves
Another all-time favorite fall book. All the leaves have big plans to twist and twirl in the autumn wind as they fall from the tree, but not yellow hickory. She's afraid. The other leaves laugh at her, but the wind has a few surprises for them all. I couldn’t find this in print, so we bought a used copy of this book! Ages 2+
Sophie's Squash
Sophie brings her adopted butternut squash, Bernice, everywhere, despite her parents' gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes.... What's a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble? Ages 2+
The Leaf Thief
Another funny addition to your fall books for kids! This hilarious picture book teaches kids about autumn and the changing seasons. Follow Squirrel, who loves counting the leaves on his tree―and soon notices one is missing. Ages 2+
Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn
Pete is sad that summer is over — until he reminds himself of all the things that are great about fall. From baking pumpkin pie with grandma to going to the corn maze with friends, Pete remembers that he loves fall and there’s much to be thankful for. Ages 2+
The Berenstain Bears and the Prize Pumpkin
My kids love the entire Berenstain Bears series! Now that Halloween is over, the bear cubs don’t have anything to look forward to — until they decide to enter one of their pumpkins in a Thanksgiving festival contest. This story teaches kids the true meaning of Thanksgiving and how to focus on what you’re grateful for. Ages 3+
Sweep
As the seasons change, so can our moods. This book illustrates how falling leaves can pile up quickly — similar to how a bad mood can grow bigger and feel overwhelming to deal with. By the end, kids will realize these feelings are temporary and manageable, just like a pile of leaves. Ages 3+
The Very Last Leaf
Lance is the best and brightest student at school, but he’s worried about his last test — falling all the way to the ground from his familiar spot on the tree. After sharing his worries, Lance feels better and ready to face his fear. If you’re looking for fall books for kids with deeper messages about overcoming everyday struggles, this one’s for you! Ages 3+
The Scarecrow
Who knew a scarecrow book could be so moving? While we usually think of scarecrows as fall decorations, this book takes kids through all of the seasons as an unexpected friendship develops. This story reminds us that fall is a time where kids may make new friends and reflect on old friendships. Ages 3+
Amelia Bedelia’s First Apple Pie
Fall and baking go hand in hand! This is a heartwarming story about fall traditions with family — from raking leaves and picking apples at the farmer’s market with grandpa, to baking an apple pie and experimenting in the kitchen with grandma. As usual, there are some silly mix-ups and a sweet ending. Ages 3+
Too Many Pumpkins
Everyone loves pumpkins, right? Not Rebecca! She’s hated them since she was a kid. But things start to change when she unintentionally ends up with a sea of pumpkins in her very own garden. Wanting to get rid of them, she uses the pumpkins to make various treats for her neighbors to enjoy — and realizes there may be something great about pumpkins after all. Ages 3+
In November
There are so many fall books for kids that speak to the beginning of the season up until Halloween. But what about in November? This story shows what happens toward the end of fall as everyone — and all of nature — prepares for winter. Ages 3+
FAQs for Fall Books for Kids
How do you choose children’s books about fall?
There are so many great fall books for kids! You really can’t go wrong. I always look at the book’s description and age level, plus you can read samples or look up read-alouds online to see if the book is a good match for your kid. Before buying, check them out at your local library to see if any are worth reading over and over again.
What age group is your book list for?
My list includes fall books for toddlers as well as books about fall for preschoolers. While the age ranges for most of these books say up to age 7, my tweens still love them! I only pull these books out during fall time, so they’ve become very nostalgic for my kids.
Are fall books for kids worth it?
Yes! Seasonal books help babies, toddlers, and preschoolers understand the concept of a new season and what to expect. Kids books about fall will show them how nature changes — and get them excited for fun activities, family traditions, and upcoming holidays.
How do you balance reading for fun in the fall with school?
Between school, after-school activities, sports, and homework, fall can feel busy! But making time for reading is important, too. Reading for just 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference — and it’s very doable. You can let them pick out the books they want to read, make reading a family activity, or create an inviting spot they’ll love to read in.
Where do you look for fall books for kids?
I generally order kids’ books on Amazon. Before buying, you can check out kids’ books (and reviews) on Common Sense Media, Scholastic’s Book Finder, and BookTrust Bookfinder. And of course, there’s always your local library!
Do age recommendations for books matter?
The short answer is yes, but most recommendations are a general guideline. You know your kids best! You may find that older kids still love to read books that are meant for younger kids — and that younger kids are interested in reading books with longer text and more complex concepts. You can let your kids’ interests guide the book selections while making sure the topics are aligned with their emotional readiness.
Final Thoughts
Love seasonally themed book recommendations? Check out my favorites!
These stories spark imaginations (and fun family moments) all year long. I’d love to hear about the books your kids love — or if there are any kids books about fall that you feel should be added to this list!
