Fall into Reading: A Guide to Cozy Autumn Books for Kids

Crisp air, colorful leaves, and pumpkin-flavored everything means autumn is here! As we trade beach reads for mugs of hot apple cider, it’s time to refresh your bookshelf with some new fall-perfect children’s books. Whether you’re looking for stories about harvest time, cuddling up with a spooky Halloween tale, or simply capturing the magic of the changing seasons, this fall reading list has you covered.

Grab some blankets and settle into that comfy reading nook, friends. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of fall books! I’ll take you through some top-notch recommendations for kids from kindergarten through 5th grade. We’ll explore fall themes and topics that are tailor-made for developing reading skills during the autumn months.

Here is a fall-themed reading list for K-5th grade:

Kindergarten:

1. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert (Ages 4-8)
   Why recommended: Uses beautiful collages to tell the story of a man made of leaves blowing around on a fall day. Captures the magic of the season.
2. Apple Picking Day! by Candice Ransom (Ages 3-5)
   Why recommended: Simple rhyming text takes readers through the process of apple picking at an orchard during fall. Great for building early reading skills.
3. Clifford’s First Autumn by Norman Bridwell (Ages 4-6)
   Why recommended: Everyone’s favorite big red dog Clifford introduces basic concepts about fall, like cooler weather, leaves changing, and more.

1st Grade:

1. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson (Ages 4-8)
   Why recommended: Fletcher the fox is worried autumn means his friends will leave, but they assure him they’ll always be there. Teaches about friendship.
2. Pumpkin Jack by Will Hubbell (Ages 4-8)
   Why recommended: Jack is a pumpkin who becomes a jack-o-lantern. Simple story and carving how-to make this a great fall choice leading up to Halloween.
3. Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmitt (Ages 5-7)
   Why recommended: Fun rhyming story about leaves that refuse to fall from a tree, no matter what the other animals try. Great leaf science.

2nd Grade:

1. Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano (Ages 5-8)
   Why recommended: Turkey overhears the farmer say he’s the next meal! Turkey goes into hilarious hijinks to convince farmer he’s meant for something else.
2. Gooseberry Park by Cynthia Rylant (Ages 5-9)
   Why recommended: Animal friends Kona, Gwendolyn, and Stumpy help each other survive challenging conditions during a very long, cold fall.
3. Winter is Coming by Tony Johnston (Ages 6-9)
   Why recommended: As animals prepare for winter, Squirrel is so busy gathering nuts he misses the magical moments of fall. Reminds us to take in the beauty of each season.

3rd Grade:

1. Goods Days with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen (Ages 5-9)
   Why recommended: Early chapter book featuring Mr. Magee and his dog having simple adventures perfect for fall, like going to a county fair and getting lost in a corn maze.
2. Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Melanie Watt (Ages 5-9)
   Why recommended: Humorous Scaredy Squirrel story outlines this nervous squirrel’s creative and over-the-top plans for avoiding what he fears on Halloween.
3. The Leaf Men by William Joyce (Ages 4-8)
   Why recommended: A boy discovers an entire civilization of tiny men made from leaves who try to protect their tree in the forest. Whimsical illustrations.

4th Grade:

1. Betty Bunny Didn’t Do It by Michael Kaplan (Ages 4-8)
   Why recommended: When food goes missing, everyone thinks clumsy Betty Bunny is the culprit. But for once, it’s not her fault! Good mystery.
2. Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka (Ages 6-9)
   Why recommended: The seasons get mixed up, resulting in funny fall scenarios like pumpkins growing on apple trees. Rhyming text improves literacy skills.
3. Who Stole the Apple Pie? by Margaret Moffett (Ages 7-10)
   Why recommended: Rhyming whodunit has reader detective Rusty Crow sniffing out clues to find the Missing Apple thief. Fun mystery with fall connection.

5th Grade:

1. Appleblossom the Possum by Holly Goldberg Sloan (Ages 8-12)
   Why recommended: A possum raised like a pet must learn to survive in the wild in this humorous story with themes of independence, courage, and adaptation.
2. The Strangers by Margaret Peterson Haddix (Ages 9-12)
   Why recommended: Time travel adventure sends three kids back to the first Thanksgiving. They must survive and assimilate in the 1600’s, while trying to get home.
3. Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins by Katie McKy (Ages 6-10)
   Why recommended: Quirky town where pumpkins reign supreme and everything is pumpkin-themed is overturned when a girl brings in an orange mandarin fruit. Fun satire.

From leaf science to apple orchards, school jitters to Thanksgiving feasts, every grade level has engaging fall choices. Expand your family’s seasonal bookshelf and make the most of reading time this autumn.

Fall is fleeting, after all.

Capture that cozy, book-curled-up-in-a-blanket feeling before winter blows in! Let your imagination wander and reconnect with the natural world as you fall into new adventures between the pages. Happy reading!

What bright and colorful new fall stories will your family dive into this year?

Share your autumnal book recommendations and reading reflections below!

I’d love to know what special fall books you’ll be adding to your seasonal shelves.

Enjoy these cozy reading adventures, and have a magical autumn full of pumpkin spice and everything nice!