Embracing Autumn: A Cozy Collection of 50+ Fall-Themed Children's Books
There’s something about the first cool mornings and bright leaves that makes you slow down and savor the season. There is no better way to celebrate this beautiful time of year than by curling up with a good book. Autumn is full of cozy colors, crunchy leaves, and family traditions that make this season so special for little ones. From leaf piles to pumpkin patches, the following books bring the simple joys of fall to life in a way children will love. In this curated collection, I have gathered over 50 fall-themed children's books that celebrate the beauty and wonder of the season. These selections are perfect for storytime, classroom reading, or cozy afternoons at home. And don’t worry, I have stayed away from Halloween-themed books and instead focused on the season of fall as the theme. Before we dive in, remember to check out my regularly updated Books for Kids List on Amazon for even more book suggestions and fresh finds throughout the year.
Autumn’s Gentle Lessons
Fall is a season of quiet transformation. These stories help children see the beauty in change, notice the stillness around them, and rest in the goodness of each new season.
"Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert
A poetic journey through the fall landscape, this book showcases the beauty of leaves and the creatures they resemble. Ehlert's vibrant collage illustrations turn ordinary leaves into something magical and help children see nature in a whole new way.
"Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" by Lois Ehlert
This book delves into the life cycle of a tree, from seed to full-grown leaf. Through engaging text and colorful collage art, children learn about trees in a way that sparks curiosity about the natural world.
"Because of an Acorn" by Lola M. Schaefer
This gentle story traces the journey of an acorn as it grows into a mighty tree. It highlights the interconnectedness of nature and helps children understand how every part of creation plays an important role.
"The Very Last Leaf" by Stef Wade
This sweet story follows a leaf who is reluctant to let go of the tree. It teaches children about change, courage, and the beauty of letting go when the time is right.
"Bella's Fall Coat" by Lynn Plourde
Bella loves her old coat, but eventually must accept a new one. This story gently teaches children about change and the importance of family traditions that help us embrace each new season.
"Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson
Fletcher, the little fox, worries as the leaves begin to fall from his favorite tree. This touching story helps children understand change and see the beauty in each season.
"The Oak Inside the Acorn" by Max Lucado
This encouraging story uses the acorn as a metaphor for the potential inside each of us. It inspires children to grow into who they were created to be.
"In November" by Cynthia Rylant
This beautifully written book captures the quiet beauty of November with gentle, poetic language and soft illustrations. It reflects on how animals, trees, and people all prepare for the coming winter, making it a perfect choice for sparking gratitude and reflection during the autumn season.
Discovering Autumn’s Wonders
Autumn is full of surprises waiting to be found. These books encourage children to explore, ask questions, and marvel at the little details God has tucked into the changing season.
"The Hike" by Alison Farrell
Three friends set out on a hike and discover the wonders of the forest. It encourages children to explore the outdoors and notice the little treasures nature offers in the fall.
"Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt" by Kate Messner
A delightful book that explores the hidden world under the soil. It shows children what is happening above and below ground during the changing seasons.
“Hello, Fall!” by Deborah Diesen
A little girl and her grandfather take a walk and greet the signs of autumn all around them. This gentle story encourages children to slow down and notice the beauty of changing seasons.
“We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt” by Steve Metzger and Miki Sakamoto
This playful, sing-song story is perfect for reading aloud before heading outside for a leaf hunt of your own. It encourages kids to explore, collect, and marvel at nature’s treasures.
“Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn” by Kenard Pak
A stunningly illustrated book where a child wanders through town, saying goodbye to summer and welcoming fall. It’s poetic, peaceful, and perfect for easing into a new season.
“The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming
This silly story follows a squirrel who is sure someone is stealing his leaves. It’s lighthearted and fun while gently teaching kids about the natural changes that happen in fall.
“The Dirt Girl” by Jodi Dee
A lovely story about a little girl who loves to dig, plant, and get messy in the garden. This one celebrates curiosity, nature play, and the joy of connecting with the earth.
“Oak: The Littlest Leaf Girl” by Lucy Fleming
This sweet story follows Oak, a little leaf girl who learns to trust the seasons and find her place in the world. It’s a gentle way to talk about courage and growth.
“Tree Full of Wonder” by Anna Smithers
A poetic book that inspires kids to see trees as living, breathing gifts. It’s full of wonder and gratitude, perfect for sparking awe on your next nature walk.
“If You Find a Leaf” by Aimee Sicuro
This creative story invites kids to imagine what each leaf they find could become — a boat, a crown, a butterfly wing. It’s a celebration of imagination and autumn play.
“When Fall Comes: Connecting with Nature as the Days Grow Shorter” by Aimee M. Bissonette
A beautifully illustrated guide to exploring nature in autumn. This book encourages kids to notice the animals, plants, and patterns that shift as the season changes.
“What Am I? Autumn” by Shana Gorian
A fun guessing game book that introduces kids to fall objects and animals with playful clues. Perfect for engaging curious minds.
Apple Season Favorites
Of course, no fall book list would be complete without a stack of apple-themed stories. After all, apple picking, cider sipping, and applesauce-making are some of the sweetest traditions of the season!
"Apples and Pumpkins" by Anne Rockwell
This charming story follows a family as they visit a pumpkin patch and an apple orchard. Children will love the simple joy of picking their own apples and pumpkins and seeing how these outings become cherished family memories.
“Applesauce Day” by Lisa J. Amstutz and Talitha Shipman
A cozy story about a family tradition of making applesauce together every fall. It’s a beautiful picture of passing down recipes, memories, and love from one generation to the next.
“Hello, World! How Do Apples Grow?” by Jill McDonald
A cheerful, easy-to-understand board book that shows little ones how apples grow from seed to harvest - great for curious toddlers after a trip to the orchard.
“The Great Apple-Picking Adventure” by Kristin Blain
A fun and engaging story that follows a family on an apple-picking trip. It captures the excitement of orchard visits and turning those apples into yummy treats.
Pumpkin & Harvest Stories
Pumpkin patches, hayrides, and harvest festivals bring so much joy to the season. These stories capture that cozy feeling of gathering and celebrating the goodness of autumn together.
"Too Many Pumpkins" by Linda White
A delightful story about a woman who ends up with an abundance of pumpkins and learns the joy of sharing them with others. It is a wonderful introduction to the harvest spirit and generosity.
“You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie” by Nicola Edwards
A snuggly, rhyming board book that’s perfect for little laps. It’s a sweet way to tell your child how much they’re loved — cozy enough for bedtime and just right for baby’s first fall.
“The Brave Little Pumpkin” by Mandy Fender
This uplifting story follows a small pumpkin who finds the courage to shine his light. It’s perfect for encouraging children to be brave and live out their purpose.
“P is for Pumpkin: God’s Harvest Alphabet” by Kathy-jo Wargin
An ABC book that walks through fall-themed words with a faith-centered focus. It’s both educational and a celebration of the harvest season.
“Playing Through the Seasons: Crunchy Leaves, Cozy Sweaters” by Essie Bell
A cozy book about enjoying the unique gifts of each season. The autumn section is all about crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and warm family moments.
“The Little Pumpkin Patch: A Story of Giving” by Mandy Fender
A tender story about a little pumpkin who wants to be chosen but learns the joy of giving instead. It’s a beautiful picture of generosity and selflessness.
“Barn in Fall: Festival Fun on the Farm” by Chambrae Griffith
This charming book takes readers to a lively fall festival at the barn. With colorful illustrations and happy animals, it’s a celebration of autumn fun that will make kids excited for hayrides and apple cider.
Giving Thanks
Fall invites us to slow down and notice every good thing around us. These books celebrate gratitude in a way little ones can understand, turning everyday moments into opportunities to give thanks.
"Thanksgiving in the Woods" by Phyllis Alsdurf
This gentle book tells the story of a family’s unique Thanksgiving celebration outdoors. It celebrates gratitude, togetherness, and the beauty of gathering with loved ones in nature.
"I’m Glad for What I Have” by Rachel Cruz
This cheerful book helps little ones focus on gratitude for the simple things around them. It’s a sweet reminder that joy doesn’t come from “more” but from noticing what we already have.
“I Am Thankful: A Thanksgiving Book for Kids” by Sheri Wall
A playful rhyming book that explores what it means to be thankful in everyday life. It’s perfect for teaching gratitude in a way that feels approachable and fun for young kids.
“A Very Thankful Prayer” by Bonnie Rickner Jensen
A gentle rhyming prayer of thanks that’s perfect for bedtime. This one is a sweet way to weave faith into your child’s nighttime routine.
“God Gave Us Thankful Hearts” by Lisa Tawn Bergren
This faith-filled book reminds children that we can choose thankfulness in every situation. It’s one of those reads that speaks to both little hearts and big ones.
“Thankful” by Eileen Spinelli
This lovely book uses simple, poetic language to show different people and their reasons for being thankful. A wonderful read to start conversations about gratitude in your home.
"Apple Cake: A Gratitude" by Dawn Casey
This heartwarming book shows a family coming together to bake an apple cake. It is a sweet reminder to pause and give thanks for the food we enjoy and the people we share it with.
Friendship, Courage & Big Feelings
Autumn is full of big changes, and sometimes big feelings too. These stories help children see the beauty of friendship, find courage when life feels new or scary, and learn that every feeling has a place.
“Bad Apple: A Tale of Friendship” by Edward Hemingway
This heartwarming story about an apple and a worm teaches kids that real friends stick by each other, even when others don’t understand. A lovely way to talk about kindness and loyalty.
“The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s First Fall” by Eric Carle
Everyone’s favorite caterpillar explores crunchy leaves, acorns, and pumpkins in this seasonal board book. Perfect for toddlers who love familiar characters.
“Pete the Cat Falling for Autumn” by James Dean and Kimberly Dean
Pete the Cat is back and learning that change can be groovy! A fun, colorful story that helps kids embrace new experiences with a positive attitude.
"The Scarecrow" by Beth Ferry
This poetic tale follows a scarecrow who experiences the changing seasons and forms an unexpected friendship. It is a tender story about compassion and the passage of time.
"The Hugging Tree" by Jill Neimark
A moving story about a tree that grows in a rocky place but still offers comfort and shade to others. It reminds children that even when life is hard, we can still be a source of care for those around us.
"The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost
This classic poem introduces children to the idea of choices and paths in life. Its simple language and beautiful imagery encourage reflection and conversation.
“Hide and Seek, Nuts to Eat” by Tracy C. Gold
This playful story follows a squirrel as he searches for nuts, with fun action words and sound effects that will have kids giggling along. It’s the perfect read-aloud for a cozy fall afternoon.
“How to Catch a Turkey” by Adam Wallace
A silly, high-energy book that follows kids as they try to catch a runaway turkey before the school play. This one will definitely make little readers laugh.
Big Picture Life Lessons
These are the stories that go deeper than falling leaves and pumpkin patches. They gently remind our little ones who they are, how much they matter, and how brave they can be. These are lessons that last far beyond autumn.
"How Much Is a Little Boy Worth?" by Rachael Denhollander
A beautiful book that reminds boys of their value and dignity. It reassures children that they are loved and worthy, no matter what.
"How Much Is a Little Girl Worth?" by Rachael Denhollander
This companion book celebrates the worth of every little girl. It encourages confidence and kindness while affirming a child's identity. This book was a gift at my baby shower, and it is one of my favorite books to read to my daughter.
"I Wish You Happiness" by Michael Wong
A heartfelt story that expresses wishes for happiness, peace, and joy. It is a wonderful way to close the day with a grateful heart and remind children that joy can be found in life’s simple moments.
"I Love You When You're Angry" by Erin Winters
This reassuring story helps children understand that love remains even when emotions are strong. It opens the door for gentle conversations about forgiveness, empathy, and unconditional love. This is another book we received at my baby shower that we read regularly. I feel it’s important that my daughter knows that it’s okay to have big and strong emotions, and I’ll still love her anyway. I want her to learn how to manage and regulate those emotions, but I’ll get into that in a different post!
"The World Needs the Wonder You See" by Joanna Gaines
This inspiring story reminds children that their unique perspective matters. It encourages them to share their gifts, creativity, and curiosity with the world around them.
As we wrap up this cozy collection of autumn reads, I hope you find stories here that make your little ones laugh, think, and dream. From books that teach courage and identity to those that spark gratitude, celebrate harvest time, and explore the quiet wonders of fall, each one is an invitation to slow down and connect as a family. Fall is a beautiful reminder to pause, notice God’s goodness all around us, and share those moments with the people we love most. If you are looking for even more faith filled and seasonal favorites, visit my full Books for Kids List on Amazon where I keep every recommendation in one easy place for you. May your autumn be full of good books, full hearts, and sweet memories with your little ones, because these are the moments that shape a childhood.