September is here, the official fall season is just around the corner, and for many school-aged children, that means we’ve headed back to class.
I don’t know about your child’s school, but my daughter’s school requires her to bring in books to read independently during her Language Arts class. Plus, her dyslexia tutor wants her to practice reading at least 15 minutes every day. So we need a lot of books around here! And it can be hard to convince kids to re-read the same material over and over. I know our household needs a fall book re-fresh- how about yours? While everyone is getting back into the swing of things, I thought I’d help you come up with a list of some seasonal books for the autumn ahead. This fall reading list is full of back-to-school, autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving-themed books that will keep your little ones turning the pages all season long.
Back-to-School Books
The first few weeks of school can be an adjustment for both kids and parents. Help smooth the transition with books that will get your little ones excited about heading back to class. The classic "First Day Jitters" by Julie Danneburg perfectly captures the nerves that come with a new school year, while "Llama Llama Misses Mama" by Anna Dewdney is a great pick for those who are still adjusting to being away from home. "The Day You Begin" by Jacqueline Woodson is another excellent choice that celebrates diversity and encourages empathy within the classroom.
Autumn Books
As the leaves change colors and the air becomes crisp, cozy up with some books that celebrate the season. "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" by Julia Rawlinson is a sweet story about a young fox who tries to save the last few leaves on his favorite tree, while "We're Going on a Leaf Hunt" by Steve Metzger is an interactive book that encourages kids to get outside and explore the beauty of fall. "Apple Farmer Annie" by Monica Wellington is another autumn favorite that showcases the hard work and dedication that goes into harvesting apples.
Halloween Books
Halloween is a fun and spooky time of year that kids look forward to all year long. "Room on the Broom" by Julia Donaldson is a beloved classic that follows a witch and her friends as they outsmart a dragon. For something a little more silly, try "The Hallo-Wiener" by Dav Pilkey, which tells the tale of a dachshund who saves the day in his hotdog costume. For older kids, this might be time to start exploring some spooky chapter books. The Harry Potter series and the Goosebumps series are both excellent choices for kids who are ready for a longer book and a bit more "scary" content.
Thanksgiving Books
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to reflect on everything we have to be grateful for. "Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving" by Laurie Halse Anderson tells the true story of Sarah Hale, who fought to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. "Bear Says Thanks" by Karma Wilson is a sweet story about friendship and gratitude, while "The Very First Thanksgiving Day" by Rhonda Gowler Greene is a detailed account of the first Thanksgiving feast.
Native American themed books
I want to take a moment acknowledge that there are two holidays in the fall here in America that are viewed by some, including our Native American/American Indian citizens, as offensive. These are Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Early American history cannot be separated from human atrocities and ethnic cleansing. It's just a sad fact. But it's also a learning opportunity. This fall is a great time to introduce your kids to some stories by Native American/American Indian authors, or to introduce them to stories containing American Indian main characters.
One of my absolute favorites as a child was "The Legend of the Bluebonnet" by Tommy DePaola. It's a beautiful story about a girl who sacrifices her favorite thing in order to save her community. I tear up just thinking about it. "We Are Water Protectors" is a 2021 Caldecott Award-winning and New York Times best selling children's story about a young American Indian girl who stands up to protect our most precious resource. "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" is also a multi-award winning book and also listed as a teachers pick on Amazon. It tells a tale of resilience and rebuilding in the face of loss and scarcity, through the creation of something that warms all our bellies- food.
Reading is a great way to inspire a love of learning in children, and seasonal books are a fun and engaging way to get kids excited about school and the changing seasons. By incorporating these back-to-school, autumn, Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed books into your fall activity schedule, you're sure to make this fall a memorable one for your kiddos.
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