A little something about me that you may not know is that I love children’s books and I’m obsessed with autumn. First and foremost, I love pumpkin EVERYTHING! Pumpkin coffee, pumpkin whoopie pies (it was the first thing I ate after delivering my third child), pumpkin pie, pumpkin candles, and I even decorate my house with a collection of pumpkins I’ve accumulated over the years, specifically white ones. Then there are sweaters—leaves—boots—blankets—sweater dresses—fall sports—the structure a new school year brings—and my list goes on. Every year before the first day of school we decorate for fall because it gets us into the back-to-school spirit. When our friends come over it’s like walking into a fall festival, but indoors. It brings me joy. So, I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear how excited I am about sharing some fabulous new autumn books I purchased and love!
Remember, although some books make incorporating movement, activity, and engagement throughout, being creative and engaging during storytime will increase your child’s attention to task and recall of the book. While reading a book make it interactive like some of the following examples: blowing for the wind, clapping for thunder, sitting your child on your legs for a car rides; let your creativity go wild!
THE SCARECROW
by Beth Ferry and The Fan Brothers
THE SCARECROW by Beth Ferry and The Fan Brothers is a beautifully illustrated, heartwarming autumn story about a scarecrow and a crow, and their journey to friendship. This book is my personal favorite!
Leif and the Fall
by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
Leif and the Fall by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant, illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard. A sweet autumn story about friendship, team work, persistence, and problem solving.
My Autumn Book
by Wong Herbert Yee
My Autumn Book by Wong Herbert Yee. I love how the author educates little readers by
rhyming through autumn.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
by Kenard Pak
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall by Kenard Pak depicts autumns sequence using details that encourage an interactive story for easy discussion. For example, when talking about the wind, for the term whoosh, you can blow on the book like the wind.
Tap the Magic Tree
by Christie Matheson
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson is a must have for a pediatric occupational therapist like myself because it gets your child’s fingers moving. I always make reading books interactive honestly because it just comes naturally to me after being a pediatric occupational therapist for over 16 years. But I love how this is an autumn book that engages the reader’s body. While reading and engaging in this book with your child you will promote many skills, such as listening, following directions, and developing their fine motor and visual motor skills.
Sophie’s Squash Go to School
by Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf
Sophie’s Squash Go to School by Pat Zietlow Miller & Anne Witsdorf is a unique story about the first day of school and learning what friendship means.
Autumn in the Forest
by Cottage Door Press, LLC
Autumn in the Forest by Cottage Door Press, LLC is well-loved by my toddler. The lift-and-flap surprises and colorful autumn pages make her often reach for this one first.
I hope you enjoy these books as much as we do.
Love Your Nurture Notetaker,
Kim Bandi, OTR/L Founder of TNN
