The Best Living Books for the Fall Season
For as long as I can remember, I have been a huge reader. And it is something I hope to foster in my own children.
Fall is the perfect time to curl up with your little ones and a stack of cozy books. The crisp air, colorful leaves, and harvest traditions all seem to invite slower moments together. If you’re homeschooling or simply want to enrich your child’s reading, autumn is a wonderful season to introduce living storybooks—a Charlotte Mason–inspired approach that focuses on rich language, beautiful illustrations, and stories that help foster learning.
Below you’ll find the best fall books for children ages 3–6, including picture books that capture the wonder of autumn and living books that nurture imagination and character.
What Are “Living Books”?
Charlotte Mason, a 19th-century educator whose philosophy still inspires homeschooling families today, emphasized the use of living books—stories written by passionate authors that engage both heart and mind. Unlike dry textbooks, these books feel alive, drawing children into the beauty of words, illustrations, and ideas.
In short: if a book sparks curiosity, tells a story well, and inspires a love for learning, it’s a living book. And fall is full of them.
While I do not resonate with all of her teaching style, I really love her view on literature and its importance in learning. And it is something we are trying to intentionally instill in our family as we move forward with homeschooling.
Sourcing Books for Kids
Sometimes it can feel overwhelming thinking you need “all of the things” to set your kiddos up for success. And that simply is not true!
There are so many amazing resources available to you if you know where to look! Here are some of my favorite ways to rotate our book collection while saving money (and space)!
Libraries: I am constantly putting books on hold at my local library. Look into your libraries online site and see if you can place seasonal ones on hold. I try to request books about a month before the “season” to ensure we can get the ones we want. For example, I will start requesting fall books in late July or early August.
Book Swaps: Get together with some fellow mom friends to have a book swap! This could look like bringing 5-10 books of your own and leaving with 5-10 that other families have brought.
Little Free Libraries: Check out this site to see if there is a Little Free Library by you! We are lucky enough to have 4 within walking distance from our house. My kids think it is a great adventure walking to the boxes every few days to see what’s new!
Little Free Libraries are one of my favorite things to look for when we are traveling to a new place!
20 Best Fall Books for Preschool and Kindergarten
Here’s a curated list of 20 autumn books for ages 3–6, including timeless living books and cozy picture book favorites.
1. Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
A Caldecott Medal winner that gently walks children through the rhythm of harvest and trade in early America. This a newer book for my family and my kids have been loving it!
One of their favorite parts is seeing all the goods the family has made throughout the year. It is also neat talking through the self-sustainability that people had to have throughout history.
2. The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
This living classic shows the beauty of seasonal change and the importance of home. While it does not focus specifically on the fall season, it can help little ones catch onto the cyclical nature of the seasons.
3. The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall
A sweet, simple book about the journey from blossoms to apple pie—perfect for apple-picking season or pairing with an apple-themed craft.
I put this book on hold to pick up in September when we plan to go apple picking. We will then spend the afternoon baking an apple pie together!
4. Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor
Tudor’s nostalgic tale of carving a pumpkin makes this a Charlotte Mason favorite. The story is both charming and unique, and my kids love the illustrations!
5. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Using real leaf collages as illustrations, this whimsical book imagines leaves drifting into the shapes of animals and people. It sparks creativity and pairs perfectly with nature walks and leaf-themed crafts!
6. A Time to Keep by Tasha Tudor
In this beautifully illustrated picture book, Tudor takes readers through the year of family celebrations. The autumn pages—filled with cozy traditions and gatherings—are especially heartwarming and remind children of the joy of seasonal rhythms.
7. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
When Fletcher the fox notices his favorite tree losing its leaves, he worries something is wrong. This tender story reassures children about the natural changes of the seasons and highlights the beauty of autumn.
8. The Year at Maple Hill Farm by Alice & Martin Provensen
With charming illustrations, this book takes children month-by-month through life on a farm. The fall sections highlight harvest, changing weather, and animal habits—making it both educational and deeply engaging.
9. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
This gentle, lyrical book shows the transition from summer to fall as a child greets the changing natural world around them. The calming text and dreamy illustrations are perfect for winding down after a busy day.
10. Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende & Harry Devlin
A cozy classic about a girl, her grandmother, and their secret cranberry bread recipe. With humor, suspense, and a message about kindness and forgiveness, it’s one of the best Thanksgiving read-alouds for young children.
We have this saved to our list for November reads!
11. Fall by Gerda Muller
This wordless picture book invites children to tell the story themselves through richly detailed illustrations. From jumping in leaves to harvesting pumpkins, every page captures the delights of fall. This board book is part of a series with the other seasons having their own book!
We love using these wordless books to practice storytelling and vocabulary for young kids!
12. Christopher’s Harvest Time by Elsa Beskow
A whimsical Swedish tale where Christopher meets magical autumn sprites like the Apple Children and Old Man Autumn. It’s a living book classic that connects children to the beauty and abundance of the harvest season.
13. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
When Rebecca Estelle’s yard is overrun with pumpkins, she turns her annoyance into generosity by baking pies, cakes, and more for her neighbors. Kids love the humor, and parents appreciate the lesson in community and resourcefulness.
14. Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
This lyrical book captures the wonder of a crisp autumn night under a glowing harvest moon. With poetic words and soft illustrations, it’s a meditative read that inspires awe and observation.
15. Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
A simple and relatable story about a young girl visiting a farm to pick apples and pumpkins. Perfect for preschoolers, it reflects real-life fall traditions many families enjoy.
16. In November by Cynthia Rylant
This beautifully written book explores the quiet and reflective side of autumn. With poetic descriptions of animals, people, and the landscape, it gently introduces children to gratitude and change.
17. Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
The beloved Strega Nona teaches her friends about patience, planting, and the joy of sharing food from the garden. This story mixes humor, warmth, and a valuable lesson about working together.
18. When Will It Be Fall? by Kathryn White
A curious little bear eagerly looks for signs of autumn—falling leaves, chilly air, and animals preparing for winter. This story encourages children to observe the natural world with wonder.
19. The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
Two mice discover the same pumpkin and each secretly nurtures it—one to win a contest, the other to carve for Halloween. It’s a fun, lighthearted story about cooperation and sharing.
20. Autumn Story (Brambly Hedge) by Jill Barklem
This cozy tale features the woodland mice of Brambly Hedge preparing for the autumn season. The detailed illustrations are a treasure trove for children to explore, and the storytelling feels like stepping into a miniature, magical world.
More Living Book Resources
Sometimes it can be really hard to find high-quality books that help to instill a love for literature at an early age. That is why I love finding curated lists that have done the heavy lifting for you!
Here are some of my favorite places to find books to bring into our home library:
Around the Year in Picture Books- This page by Read Aloud Revival is such a great resource for any family! She updates it yearly and has recommendations based on the month.
TreeHouse SchoolHouse- Another one of my favorite resources for home education! She has a whole page dedicated to recommended booklists.
Ambleside Online- This is a free online curriculum that follows a Charlotte Mason approach to learning. They have a great list of book recommendations by age group.
Year 0 Books - approximately birth- formal school age
Tips for Reading More with Young Kids
If your family is new to reading, the first little bit may be a struggle. Short attention spans, wiggly kids, and an abundance of energy— that is all normal! Just start slowly and make it an enjoyable experience for everyone. Here are some tips to start fostering more reading time in your family:
Create a cozy space: Gather blankets, a basket of books, and cuddle up on the couch. My kiddos love this snuggly ritual before bedtime!
Make reading a rhythm: Set aside a time (or a couple) throughout the day when it is time for reading. In my family, we read before nap time/ quiet time and again before bed.
Create an event around reading: Something that makes reading fun is bringing the story beyond the book. This may look like reading The Apple Pie Tree and then making a pie with your kids.
Final Thoughts
The best books for the fall season invite imagination, connect your family to nature, and create traditions you’ll return to year after year. Whether you lean into Charlotte Mason living storybooks or seasonal picture books, these autumn reads will help your child fall in love with both stories and the season.
Does your family have any favorite fall stories?! I would love to hear your faves.
Latest on the blog
