As summer winds down and back-to-school energy fills the air, we begin settling into the rhythm and routine of fall. It’s the perfect season to get cozy with a good book.
From stories that embrace autumn atmosphere and harvest season to those that add a touch of mystery to the everyday, these books offer a way to unwind, reflect, and find inspiration, especially in the midst of back-to-school schedules.
So, whether you’re sneaking in a chapter here and there or cozying up with the family for a good long read, these fall books full of apples, pumpkins and leaves will help you embrace the slower, warm feelings of fall.
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Fall Books for Toddlers
I Love Fall by Allison Inches
Little readers will love to explore all the textures that fall brings to us. This touch-and-feel book has adorable illustrations and fun rhymes that help them explore the season.
Five Black Cats by Patricia Hegarty
Join five black cats that meet new friends during Halloween night. They are brave in this (lightly) spooky book.
Jump Into Fall by Gareth Llewhellin
Bear enjoys his favorite fall activities in this cut-out board book. It’s short, sweet and sturdy for the littlest readers.
Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Leaf man is riding the wind now that fall has arrived. Doing his best to find out which way he’s headed, he just “goes where the wind blows.” All the illustrations are created from real fall leaves and help bring out children’s imagination.
Leaves by David Ezra Stein
This bear experiences his very first autumn and does some curious things with the leaves before he gets too sleepy for the season.
Seven Orange Pumpkins by Stephen Savage
A counting book that helps young readers countdown to Halloween alongside mysterious friends.
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
This story explores the theme of thankfulness and gratitude in our everyday lives in ways that are easy to understand.
The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri
This book explores all the tasks that Squirrel needs to do before winter comes. Fall keeps him busy! Different aspects of fall are captured in sweet illustrations.
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
A tale about what happens when a pumpkin gets smashed in your yard!
You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie by Natalie Marshall
A fun interactive board book with sweet rhymes and engaging illustrations.
Childrens Books About Fall
A Fall Ball for All by Jamie A. Swenson
A colorful rhyming story that invites all the animals to prepare for the winter ahead – “Come one, come all to the annual windfall ball!”
A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner
A book that explores the idea of change through three leaves and their approach to the coming season – adventurous Birch, nervous Oak, and grumpy Maple.
Apples & Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
A girl visits a farm with her family and spends the day picking apples and hunting for the perfect pumpkin. The fall festivities continue to Halloween night and trick-or-treating fun.
Applesauce Day by Lisa J. Amstutz
A multi-generational story where after visiting an apple orchard, a girl and her family spend the day transforming apples into applesauce.
Autumn: Leaves Fall from the Trees by Lisa Bell
A fun book that shares the spirit of fall with kids and encourages them to get outside. Includes a song via CD or online access.
Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead
In this story, Bear wants to tell his friends a story but they end up being too busy preparing for winter to listen. Friendship and kindness help him stay patient!
Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer
This story shows the interconnectedness of nature starting with an acorn.
Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland
A book full of gorgeous, colorful illustrations that captures the essence of autumn and shows how the natural world prepares for winter.
Fall Walk by Virginia B. Snow
A lovely and simple book that takes readers on a walk in the forest, identifying 24 leaves by shape and color along the way.
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Falling leaves make Fletcher question what’s happening, but he begins to understand the change of the seasons as winter arrives.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
A young girl welcomes fall as she walks through the forest, observing the different signs of the changing seasons. One in a series about seasons.
How Many Seeds in a Pumpkin by Margaret McNamara
A math book disguised as a fall book! The kids in this classroom discover how many seeds are in their different sized pumpkins, counting by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s.
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes
Fun colorful illustrations share the magic of fall – pumpkins, leaves, squirrels, apples, and more.
Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber
A more science-based story focused on leaves where readers can identify leaves by their different characteristics and learn why leaves change color in autumn.
North Woods Girl by Aimee Bissonette
This story follows a girl and her grandma as they trek through the woods near her grandma’s home. It covers all seasons, but the gorgeous scratch artwork makes it feel cozy, just right for fall.
Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper
A friendship story that explores what happens when you shake up the way things are done. Pumpkin soup recipe included!
Sophie’s Squash by Kirsten Hall
After a visit to the farmer’s market, a gal decides that she wants squash as a pet instead of for dinner. She carries it everywhere and eventually begins to notice changes in her beloved squash.
The Apple Pie that Papa Baked by Lauren Thompson
A story that builds on itself over time with cute illustrations that show how a father preps for a delicious treat for his daughter.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming
In this story, a squirrel tries to track down his missing leaf. As the story goes on, he discovers that maybe there isn’t a thief after all.
The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry
A tale of how an unexpected pair become friends after one helps the other.
The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade
A story about a leaf who is worried about what is coming his way. This book is a great way to discuss transitions and new experiences.
We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger
A play on “going on a bear hunt,” this book follows three good friends as they collect leaves on a mountain hike.
Woody, Hazel and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow
Woody and Little Pip are acorn children taking an adventure on a leaf, but are blown away by an autumn gust of wind. When they don’t come home, Hazel, their friend, heads off to find them.
Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer
A fun yellow book that brightly explores how the fall season unfolds amongst wildlife, the trees, and nature.
Fall Books for Elementary
Applesauce Weather by Helen Frost
This story is anchored by a fall apple tradition and centered on family, storytelling, and a bit of grief. It features thoughtful illustrations that add another dimension to the story.
Dance Like a Leaf by AJ Irving
A girl takes the lead in shared autumn rituals as her grandmother’s health declines. This book explores themes such as life, death, renewal, and change in a touching and celebratory way.
Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
The harvest moon incites nighttime action in nature, like hunting, working and playing among the creatures. Vibrant images show how marvelous night can be.
Leif and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant
A fun story about Leif the worried leaf who is anxious about falling. He explores different ways to get down, but the wind has other ideas.
Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy
The story of Mildred’s quest to grow a giant pumpkin. It’s all she can think about and after four growing seasons, she does her best to make it happen this year.
Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears by Cynthia Rylant
Mr. Putter is dreaming of eating all his juicy, delicious pears, and of making pear jelly. But he is having some trouble climbing up the ladder and needs a solution.
Rosco the Rascal Visits the Pumpkin Patch by Shana Gorian
On a family’s annual trip to the country to choose their pumpkins, the two kids and their pup Rosco encounter two bullies hiding out in the corn maze.
Shadow Chasers by Elly MacKay
This book depicts the shadows that arrive after summer leaves.
Squashed by Meaghan Tosi
A spooky yet charming graphic novel about three friends who find a mysterious pumpkin in the woods.
The Autumn Visitors by Karel Hayes
A sweet story about a family of bears adventuring in New England during the fall season. They experience the fall festivities while doing their best to go unnoticed.
The Harvest Sprites by Hayley Nystrom
The Harvest Sprites love to play in the leaves, pick apples and pumpkins, and savor the crisp air. They invite readers to think about their favorite fall things.
The Pumpkin Book by Gail Gibbons
Readers learn about the growth cycle of pumpkins, all the different varieties and how to grow their own. It also features some information about the role of pumpkins in our culture.
The Scarecrow’s Dance by Jane Yolen
One scarecrow leaves his post to dance through the night, only to realize that his job is quite important and impacts many people.
Tidy by Emily Gravett
A fun tale about a badger named Pete who must keep everything neat. The mass of falling leaves poses a problem for him, and eventually a problem for the entire forest. Told in rhymes that are fun to read aloud.
Fall Books for Middle & High Schoolers
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
A eerie novel about Coraline, her new home, and a parallel world that she discovers on the other side of a door in her apartment building. Try the graphic novel to see the story brought to life in pictures.
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
Set in the Great Depression, a young girl and her family must start over in the wilderness of Echo Mountain. There is joy in her newfound freedom, but hardships cloud the positives. Healing and resilience are key themes.
Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
Full of back-to-school energy, the Harry Potter books bring readers along into Harry’s world, full of mystery, change, adventure, and school supply shopping. (Linked to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone)
Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell
This graphic novel follows two seasonal best friends who work together at a pumpkin patch every season. They are both seniors so this one is their last. How can they make this last one an adventure?
Squashed by Joan Bauer
A sixteen year old has two goals – grow the biggest pumpkin in Iowa and get healthier. Along the way she strengthens old connections and makes new ones.
Best Books for Fall for Adults
Dinner: A Love Story by Jenny Rosenstrach
With daily and weekly routines and schedules back in play, this book can help get dinner under control so you can spend the rest of your day outside and on adventures, even eating al fresco.
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
The bewitching movie was sparked from this book about the Owens sisters and their so-called curse. A fun seasonal treat.
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
A big-city baker retreats to a small idyllic town in Vermont and finds herself immersed in the community and takes on baking an apple pie for the annual county fair.
The October Country by Ray Bradbury
A collection of short stories that revolve around the spirit of October, a bit dark and spooky.
The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E. Reichert
A lovely novel about a fifth-generation cider maker who is happy to live a simple life on her family’s orchard. She soon gets company and things get more complicated.
Wilderness Tales by Diana Fuss
Forty short stories about outdoor life in North America and its vast, diverse landscape. There are a range of authors, from Washington Irving and Frederick Douglass to Margaret Atwood and Karen Russell.
Cozy up with Fall Books
Fall is a perfect reading season and this collection of fall books offers something for every member of the family, from the littlest page-turners to the seasoned readers.
As you make your way through the stories that celebrate autumn’s beauty, unravel its mysteries, and remind us of the power of gratitude, embrace reading together. Sharing books strengthens connections, sparks conversations, and creates lastings memories. Gather your loved ones, find a cozy spot, and crack open the pages for some seasonal adventure. And if it motivates you to get outside, even better!
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Best Fall Books for the Whole Family
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