Fabulous Fall Toddler Books to Read this Year
Fall is a magical time for toddlers, filled with vibrant colors, cool breezes, and new experiences like picking pumpkins, crunching through fallen leaves, and celebrating Halloween. It’s the perfect season to introduce little ones to books that capture the beauty and excitement of autumn. Fall-themed books can spark curiosity, encourage a love of nature, and provide endless opportunities for fun and learning. Whether it’s cozying up with a blanket for storytime or using these favorite books to inspire outdoor adventures, fall offers a wealth of stories that toddlers will love.
Fabulous Fall Toddler Books to Read this Year
Reading fall books with toddlers is a wonderful way to connect them to the changing seasons. These stories can help children understand concepts like the cycle of nature, how animals prepare for winter, and the fun traditions of Halloween. Books about falling leaves, apple picking, and pumpkins not only entertain but also educate toddlers about their environment. With simple, rhythmic text and bright, engaging illustrations, fall-themed books cater to toddlers’ short attention spans while drawing them into the magic of autumn.
By incorporating these fall inspired children's books into daily routines at home or in a classroom, you can create enriching learning experiences. From art projects inspired by fall stories to sensory bins filled with leaves and acorns, the possibilities for hands-on learning are endless. The best fall books for toddlers open the door to a world of seasonal exploration, creativity, and bonding, making them an essential part of any autumn reading list.
Here are some of the best fall-themed books for toddlers that capture the season's beauty, traditions, and cozy feelings.
30 Fall Based Toddler Books
As an amazon associate, I earn a small commission based on purchases made through these affiliate links at no additional cost to you. I highly recommend visiting your local library to find the perfect read as we enter into seasonal changes.
1. "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt" by Steve Metzger
A delightful adventure story where kids explore nature during fall, collecting leaves and discovering the seasonal beauty. The repetitive, rhythmic text in one of the bestselling favorite fall books is great for toddlers, and they’ll enjoy the idea of going on a nature walk.
2. "Leaf Man" by Lois Ehlert
This beautifully illustrated book takes young readers on a journey as "Leaf Man" floats across different fall scenes. The collaged leaves form various animals and landscapes, sparking imagination and creativity.
3. "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson
A heartwarming perfect book of a little fox named Fletcher, who is confused as he watches the leaves fall from his favorite tree. The story teaches children about the natural changes in autumn and the magic of the season.
4. "Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin" by Tad Hills
A simple and fun story of Duck and Goose searching for the perfect pumpkin. Its repetitive text and gentle humor make it an engaging read for toddlers, with illustrations full of fall colors.
5. "Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn" by Kenard Pak
This poetic book transitions between summer and fall, showing nature’s gradual changes. Toddlers will love the quiet, reflective journey and the beautiful watercolor illustrations.
6. "In the Middle of Fall" by Kevin Henkes
A lyrical celebration of fall with stunning illustrations by Laura Dronzek. This book captures the essence of the season with simple text and a calm pace, perfect for bedtime reading.
7. "The Little Scarecrow Boy" by Margaret Wise Brown
A charming tale about a little scarecrow who dreams of becoming just like his dad. The fall setting, filled with pumpkins and scarecrows, makes this a perfect seasonal read.
8. "The Busy Little Squirrel" by Nancy Tafuri
A simple story about a busy squirrel preparing for winter. With repetitive text and large, colorful illustrations, it is ideal for toddlers learning about fall animals and their behaviors.
9. "Apples and Pumpkins" by Anne Rockwell
A sweet story of a family’s trip to pick apples and pumpkins. The simple narrative and beautiful illustrations highlight fun autumn activities toddlers can relate to, like visiting pumpkin patches.
10. "Pick a Pumpkin" by Patricia Toht
This rhythmic picture book follows a family picking the perfect pumpkin and carving it into a jack-o'-lantern. With vibrant illustrations and a focus on fall traditions, it’s an excellent introduction for young children to Halloween.
11. "Little Blue Truck’s Halloween" by Alice Schertle
In this fun and interactive book, Little Blue Truck and his animal friends dress up for Halloween. Toddlers will enjoy lifting the flaps to reveal who’s in each costume.
12. "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" by Lois Ehlert
This book combines vibrant illustrations with a simple explanation of the life cycle of a tree, from planting a sapling to watching its leaves change in the fall. This is a great book to talk about the signs of the coming season.
13. "Pumpkin Soup" by Helen Cooper
A charming story about friendship, teamwork, and making soup on a chilly autumn day. This tale follows Duck, Cat, and Squirrel as they work together in their cozy home.
14. "Apples, Apples, Apples" by Nancy Elizabeth Wallace
A delightful story where a bunny family goes apple picking and learns about the different types of apples. Includes fun facts about apples and an apple pie recipe.
15. "Mouse's First Fall" by Lauren Thompson
A gentle introduction to autumn for toddlers, this book follows Mouse and Minka as they play in a pile of colorful fall leaves, experiencing the season's beauty.
16. "Fall is Not Easy" by Marty Kelley
A humorous story about a tree struggling to change its leaves for fall. The simple, playful text and funny illustrations will make toddlers giggle as the tree’s leaves form silly patterns. This book is great for tiny readers with a short attention span!
17. "Five Little Pumpkins" by Dan Yaccarino
Based on the classic Halloween rhyme, this board book version features bold illustrations of pumpkins sitting on a gate and the fun that follows when Halloween night comes.
18. "Fall Mixed Up" by Bob Raczka
A silly story that mixes up all things fall—trees grow pumpkins, squirrels fly south, and geese hibernate. Toddlers will laugh at the nonsensical combinations while learning about real autumn traditions.
19. "Fall Leaves Fall!" by Zoe Hall
A simple, good book about two brothers who rake and jump in leaves while exploring the different shapes, sizes, and colors of fall leaves.
20. "The Little Yellow Leaf" by Carin Berger
A sweet story about a little yellow leaf who isn’t ready to let go of its tree. The story of waiting for the right moment to embrace change makes this a great read for toddlers experiencing transitions.
21. "How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World" by Marjorie Priceman
A fun, whimsical story that follows a girl who travels the world gathering ingredients to make an apple pie. While not strictly about fall, it features apples and pie, staples of the season.
22. "Peppa's Halloween Party" by Scholastic
Peppa Pig fans will love this simple and festive Halloween story where Peppa and her friends dress up and enjoy Halloween activities like pumpkin carving and a party.
23. "The Roll-Away Pumpkin" by Junia Wonders
This delightful story follows a young girl chasing after her giant pumpkin as it rolls through the town. It’s an adventurous and fun read that ties into fall harvest traditions.
24. "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever" by Steven Kroll
A classic fall story about two mice who care for the same pumpkin, trying to grow the biggest one for Halloween. Their teamwork leads to a giant pumpkin and lots of fun.
25. "Too Many Pumpkins" by Linda White
A whimsical tale of an elderly woman who plants pumpkins by accident and ends up with too many. The book teaches toddlers about gratitude and resourcefulness during the fall season.
26. "Little Owl’s Night" by Divya Srinivasan
While not specifically about fall, this beautifully illustrated book follows Little Owl as he explores the nighttime world and the changing seasons, offering cozy fall vibes.
27. "Hello, Fall!" by Deborah Diesen
A sweet, lyrical celebration of fall, this book tells the story of a grandfather and child as they explore the wonders of autumn, from colorful leaves to crisp air.
28. "Sophie’s Squash" by Pat Zietlow Miller
A heartwarming story of a girl named Sophie who adopts a squash as her best friend. As the squash starts to rot, Sophie learns about the changing seasons and new beginnings.
29. "The Scarecrow" by Beth Ferry
A beautifully illustrated book about a scarecrow who guards a field during the fall and forms an unlikely friendship with a small crow. A touching story about love and compassion.
30. "Peek-a-Boo! A Halloween Surprise" by Rosa Von Feder
This fun lift-the-flap book invites toddlers to play peek-a-boo with various friendly Halloween characters like witches, ghosts, and pumpkins.
These additional titles provide even more variety for toddlers to enjoy during the fall season, focusing on pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, and the cozy aspects of autumn.
How Can Teachers and Parents Use These Fall Inspired Toddler Books
Utilizing fall-themed books at home and school with toddlers is a fun and educational way to embrace the season. Here are creative ideas for making the most of these autumn books:
1. Incorporate Storytime into Daily Routines
Home: Set aside a regular storytime, such as before naptime or bedtime, and use fall books to create a cozy seasonal atmosphere.
School: Implement a fall-themed story circle where each child can take turns picking a fall book for the class. This can also be integrated into transitions between activities.
2. Create Fall-Themed Sensory Bins
Use materials from the books to inspire sensory play. For example, after reading "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt," create a bin with real or fabric leaves, small sticks, acorns, and plastic animals.
Encourage toddlers to feel, explore, and identify the objects while referencing the stories.
3. Art Projects Inspired by the Books
Leaf Collages: After reading "Leaf Man," let toddlers create their own leaf people or animals using real leaves, glue, and paper.
Pumpkin Crafting: Following a book like "Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin," toddlers can decorate or paint small pumpkins, use stickers, or create pumpkin art with construction paper.
Coloring and Stamping: Use stamps, paint, or crayons to make autumn tree art after reading "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf."
4. Outdoor Exploration and Nature Walks
Take toddlers outside for a nature walk after reading books like "Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn" or "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves." Encourage them to observe the changes in the environment, collect leaves, and discuss what they see in relation to the story.
Leaf Hunt: After reading a book about leaves, organize a leaf-collecting activity. Compare the different shapes and colors of the leaves, and talk about how the books reflect the real world.
5. Sensory and Dramatic Play
At Home: Set up a pretend apple orchard or pumpkin patch where toddlers can "pick" apples or pumpkins (use play food or real items) and then "sell" them. After reading "Apples, Apples, Apples," you can include pretend baking activities.
At School: Create a fall harvest corner with baskets, small scarecrows, pumpkins, and farm animal toys. Let the children pretend they’re characters from "Pumpkin Soup" or "The Little Scarecrow Boy."
6. Interactive Read-Alouds with Props
Home: While reading "Five Little Pumpkins," you can use small pumpkin props or felt cut-outs to act out the story as you read. In "The Busy Little Squirrel," use toy animals to engage toddlers by having them act out the squirrel’s busy day.
School: Use puppets or stuffed animals to represent the characters in the books, allowing the toddlers to interact and reenact parts of the story as you read along.
7. Sing Songs and Rhymes Related to Books
Pair reading with fall songs or fingerplays. For example, after reading "Five Little Pumpkins," sing the "Five Little Pumpkins" rhyme together.
Incorporate movement by encouraging toddlers to pretend to be leaves falling from trees after reading "Fall Leaves Fall!" or "Mouse's First Fall."
8. Cooking and Baking Activities
At Home: Read "Apples, Apples, Apples" or "How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World" and then involve toddlers in baking apple pie or applesauce together. This can also help develop their motor skills (stirring, pouring).
At School: After reading "Pumpkin Soup," have a pretend cooking activity where toddlers help "make soup" with play food or real vegetables. You can also make pumpkin-themed snacks like pumpkin bread or cookies.
9. Create a Fall-Themed Reading Nook
Set up a cozy corner at home or in the classroom with soft blankets, pillows, and fall decorations like pumpkins or leaves. Fill the space with fall-themed books and let toddlers curl up in this special spot to read.
Change up the space weekly or introduce a new book daily to keep things exciting.
10. Engage with Science and Nature Concepts
Use books like "Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf" or "Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn" to talk about the changing seasons. At school, this can lead to simple science lessons about why leaves change color or why animals prepare for winter.
At Home: Follow up with an outdoor experiment like pressing leaves between books, or creating leaf rubbings to observe the patterns and veins.
11. Use Books to Support Emotional Learning
Books like "The Little Yellow Leaf" teach toddlers about change and transitions. Discuss feelings of hesitation or nervousness with the story’s themes. Toddlers can then express how they feel about upcoming changes, like starting school or new activities.
Use puppets or role-play to act out different emotions with toddlers, encouraging them to connect the character's experience with their own.
12. Field Trips Inspired by Books
Home or School: After reading "Apples and Pumpkins" or "The Biggest Pumpkin Ever," plan a trip to a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch. These hands-on experiences help bring the stories to life and make them more memorable for toddlers.
As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, fall presents the perfect opportunity to engage toddlers with books that celebrate the magic of the season. Whether it's through stories about pumpkins, falling leaves, or woodland creatures preparing for winter, these books help toddlers connect with nature, learn new concepts, and explore their creativity. By incorporating fall-themed books into your daily routine, you create moments of joy, learning, and seasonal wonder for your little ones.
These stories can be a wonderful springboard for interactive activities, such as leaf hunts, pumpkin crafts, or sensory play. Reading can be a cozy, calming time, but it can also inspire hands-on learning, outdoor exploration, and even emotional growth as toddlers relate to characters experiencing change. Fall-themed books not only entertain but also enrich toddlers' understanding of the world around them, making the most of this beautiful time of year.
By sharing these books at home or in the classroom, you're fostering a love of reading and helping toddlers build essential early literacy skills in a fun, engaging way. As autumn unfolds, these beloved stories will become cherished traditions, creating lasting memories that make the season even more special. From playful pumpkins to colorful leaves, the best fall books for toddlers offer endless opportunities for connection, learning, and seasonal delight. Happy reading!
