Fall is here, and what is a better way to celebrate its arrival than with a good book? My kids and I love to go to the library and pick out some great seasonal children's books to share, and fall is definitely one of our favorite times of year. Here are some of our favorites that we've enjoyed over the years. You can look to see if your local library has these titles available at marinlibrary.org.
Leaf Man
by Lois Ehlert: Fall is here, the wind is blowing, and Leaf Man is on the move. With a body made of leaves and acorns for eyes, Leaf Man soars with the wind above the orchards, meadows, ponds, ducks, and cows. The illustrations in this charming book are made from actual fall leaves and die-cut pages on every spread curve and arc to reveal beautiful landscapes. It's a playful and whimsical look at fall and the changing of the seasons.
The Apple Doll
by Elisa Kleven: Lizzy is a shy little girl who loves the apple tree in her yard and ends up making a doll out of an apple and twigs that she names "Susanna". She ends up getting teased by other kids for carrying around her apple-and-sticks creation at school. Ultimately, Lizzy's mom takes Susanna and makes an apple doll out of her, which inspires a class apple doll project and friendships and happiness ensue. This is one of my daughters's favorites, and we end up making an apple doll every fall.
The Scarecrow's Dance
by Jane Yolen: One fall evening, Scarecrow decides to leave his station in the cornfield and dance the night away. He dances with the wind through the fields until he reaches the farmhouse and something makes him realize what his true duty is. Beautiful illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline enhance this classic tale.
Too Many Pumpkins
by Linda White: Poor Rebecca was so poor growing up that all her family ate were pumpkins! Now, many years later a giant pumpkin flies off a truck and lands in her yard. She buries the mess, and ends up with more pumpkins that she knows what to do with the next fall. Fortunately, she won't let the crop go to waste, and cooks the pumpkin dishes she hated as a child and carves jack-o-lanterns from the rest, to the delight of her curious neighbors.
Pumpkin Town! Or, Nothing Is Better and Worse Than Pumpkins
by Katie McKy: Pumpkin vines go out-of-control in a small town when five brothers accidentally scatter their pumpkin seeds. The brothers work in secret to get things back to normal, and are rewarded with sweet delicious watermelons.
Big Pumpkin
by Eric Silverman: Will there be any pumpkin pie for Halloween? The witch has grown her biggest pumpkin ever, but neither she nor the ghost nor the vampire, nor the mummy can move it. The little bat, however, has an idea to save the day. Can he get the pumpkin off the vine?
Apple Farmer Annie
by Monica Wellington: Annie the busy apple farmer bakes tasty treats, like apple pies, muffins, cider, amd cakes, from the fruit she grows, and sends the best ones to the market. Follow Annie through her busy day, and then try out some of her easy-to-make apple recipes.
Pumpkin Soup
by Helen Cooper: Cat, Squirrel, and Duck make their pumpkin soup the same way every day. But one day the Duck wants to shake things up a little and a disagreement ensues. He leaves in a huff, but it isn't long before the Cat and the Squirrel start to worry about their friend and begin a search.
