Hey PA Virtual! As the leaves really begin to change and the air becomes nice and crisp, it becomes a wonderful time to encourage reading for all of our young learners. Whether it's stories about the magic of nature's transformations or tales that teach the values of friendship and kindness, autumn-themed books seem to add extra layers of meaning to a child's adventure in reading. So due to popular demand, here's a selection of charming books perfect for elementary school students, each capturing the beauty of the autumn through vivid storytelling and beautiful illustrations. I also threw in some spookier books for our older elementary student families who also love the celebrations of October! Remember to always preview and read the books yourselves to find if they're a good fit for your family!
"The Scarecrow" by Beth Ferry (Age Range: 4-8)
"The Scarecrow" by Beth Ferry, illustrated by The Fan Brothers, is a touching narrative that dives into themes of companionship and transformation. In this heartwarming story, a lonely scarecrow, whose only purpose is to frighten away birds, finds himself becoming the unlikely guardian of a baby crow that has fallen near his post. As their friendship blossoms, the scarecrow experiences a profound sense of purpose, challenging what he was chosen to do.
"Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert (Age Range: 4-7)
"Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert is a delightful exploration of the fall season through the adventures of a character crafted from leaves. This picture book stands out for its unique collage illustrations, each carefully composed of real leaves, showcasing the beauty of autumn. As Leaf Man is taken by the wind, readers journey with him over fields, past orchards, across lakes and rivers, witnessing the seasonal changes and the vibrant colors that define fall.
"Pumpkin Jack" by Will Hubbell (Age Range: 4-8)
"Pumpkin Jack" by Will Hubbell is a tale that traces the life cycle of a pumpkin named Jack, from its days as a bright jack-o'-lantern to its natural decay and eventual rebirth into new plants. The story begins with Tim, a young boy who carves his first jack-o'-lantern and proudly displays it. As time passes, Jack begins to decompose, and Tim decides to place him in the garden rather than discard him. Over the seasons, Jack fully decomposes and enriches the soil, allowing new pumpkin seedlings to sprout in the spring.
"Apple Picking Day!" by Candice Ransom (Age Range: 3-6)
"Apple Picking Day!" by Candice Ransom is a charming picture book that captures the fun-loving nature of a family trip. An easy read with rhyming lines, the story follows a brother and sister duo who, with their parents, spend a delightful day picking apples. The book's fun and pleasant illustrations bring to life their adventures, from gathering apples to enjoying a picnic among the trees. Throughout their day, the children learn about different types of apples and the basics of how they grow, helping children come to understand what an orchard is.
"Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson (Age Range: 4-8)
"Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson tells the story of Fletcher, a young fox alarmed to see his favorite tree losing its leaves as autumn arrives. Worried for the tree's wellbeing, Fletcher tries whimsically to save the falling leaves, embodying the innocence and resolve often seen in children facing changes.
The story is ideal for discussing the seasons and helping children understand and embrace change, making it a valuable resource for parents and educators looking to instill a sense of wonder and acceptance in young readers.
"The Haunted Library" by Dori Hillestad Butler (7-9 years old)
"The Haunted Library" is a charming series starter that introduces a young ghost, Kaz, who loses his family in a mysterious wind and finds himself alone in a library. He meets a living girl, Claire, who can see ghosts and is determined to help him find his family. Together, they embark on ghostly mysteries that are more fun than frightening. This series is great for kids who enjoy a supernatural twist and like solving mysteries. The friendship between Kaz and Claire, along with their detective adventures, provides a gentle introduction to the ghost story genre, making it a perfect pick for cozy fall reading.
"Sir Simon: Super Scarer" by Cale Atkinson (Age Range: 4-8)
In "Sir Simon: Super Scarer," we meet a professional ghost who's a master at scaring but finds himself tasked with haunting a house occupied by the most challenging person possible, a little boy. The twist? The little boy is more intrigued than scared, turning Simon's job upside down. The real 'villain' in this playful tale is a comically portrayed elderly man named Grandpa, who moves into the house later. Grandpa proves to be Simon's ultimate challenge, as his quirks and bravery make him immune to Simon's best scare tactics.
"Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor" by Jon Scieszka (Age Range: 8-12)
In "Frank Einstein and the Antimatter Motor," young Frank Einstein, kid-genius scientist and inventor, loves figuring out how the world works by building his own gadgets and robots. In this first book of the series, Frank is working on a science project to create an antimatter motor that will help with clean energy. However, his plans take an unexpected turn when his creations, Klink (a self-assembled artificial intelligence) and Klank (a mostly self-assembled artificial almost intelligence), end up in the hands of his archrival, T. Edison.
"Too Many Pumpkins" by Linda White (Age Range: 4-8)
Linda White weaves a delightful tale about Rebecca Estelle, an elderly woman who has avoided pumpkins for years after being forced to eat them during a poor childhood. However, her world changes when a pumpkin accidentally splatters in her yard, leading to a plethora of pumpkins growing wild. Initially determined to ignore the pumpkins, Rebecca Estelle's annoyance turns to inspiration as she devises the perfect solution.
I hope that this selection of books themed for the upcoming season was useful. I know it can be sometimes tough picking the perfect book for kids in elementary school. But always remember that reading as a family is one of the most valuable and treasured experiences and part of that experience is picking and choosing. So keep on trying if you find one of these isn't for you... you might just run into a family favorite. If you have any suggestions or want to share your favorite, throw it down in the comments below (or post on our social!). I hope you all have a wonderful beginning to the fall season. Happy reading!