Family Matters: Fall Books for Kids + Projects

There is no bad time for reading together, and fall days with their briskness just seems ideal. Plus, these books lead to fall activities, so it's a double-win. Check for Beyond the Book for projects.

 

How Do Apples Grow? by Betsy Maestro. Illustrated by Giulio Maestro.

Have you ever eaten a part of a flower? You have if you have eaten an apple! This book explains how an apple grows from bud to flower to fruit—ready for you to pick!

Ages: 4 - 8

Beyond the Book: Go apple picking and then make apple sauce or apple crisp.

 

Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur. llustrated by Leslie Evans

One brief acrostic poem for each letter of the alphabet from acorn to zero follows the fall season from end of summer to chilly conclusion. Each poem describes an aspect of the fall season. An autumn riddle is presented for each letter of the alphabet. Vivid hand-colored illustrations provide sharp clues to the answers.

Ages: 4-8

Beyond the Book: Create your acrostic poem.

 

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert combines vivid collage artwork, vibrant colors and an interesting layout to create a captivating picture book. This simple, but dazzling story is about Leaf Man, made from a body of fallen leaves and acorns for eyes, who takes off from a backyard and flutters away on adventures. The book educates children on the types of leaves and seeds found in nature, inspiring kids to create their own leaf creations.

Ages 4-8

Beyond the book: Take children on a nature walk and collect leaves to make your own leaf man.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

Lois Ehlert uses watercolor collage and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this innovative and rich introduction to the life of a tree. A special glossary explains how roots absorb nutrients, what photosynthesis is, how sap circulates, and other facts about trees.

Ages 4-8

Beyond the Book: Collect different colored leaves, flatten between books and then sandwich between two pieces of clear contact paper. Use as a placemat or hang in window as suncatcher.

 

The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown. Illustrated by David Diaz

A story about a scarecrow boy and his family is a timeless tale about the things children cherish; family, home, and their place in the world. Tender and funny, it celebrates the tradition of passing knowledge from one generation to the next, and the joy that comes with discovery.

Ages 4-8

Beyond the book: Make your own scarecrow from straw and old clothes.

 

Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington

Softly colored pencil illustrations show the evolution of a pumpkins from seed to harvest. The story of a young gardener, Jamie told through large, detailed drawings and simple narrative capture the boys anticipation about the pumpkins growing in his garden.

Ages 4-8

Beyond the book: Carve a pumpkin a save the seeds to plant in your own garden.

 

Anisa Raoof is the publisher and founder of Kidoinfo, the parents' guide for Rhode Island and beyond.

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