20 Cosy Autumn Books For Kids 2024

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As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to fall, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and a hot drink. Autumn brings with it a magical atmosphere that’s perfect for creating cosy moments, and what better way to embrace the season than by sharing stories that celebrate its wonder? Whether it’s tales of woodland creatures preparing for winter or stories about the vibrant colours and adventures of the changing season, these 20 cosy autumn books for kids are sure to capture your child’s imagination while fostering a love for reading.

Snuggle up with your little ones under a blanket, let the smell of cinnamon fill the room, and get ready for some heart warming and magical autumn reads!

1. Acorn Was a Little Wild

Author: Jen Arena
Illustrator: Jessica Gibson

Jory John’s Bad Seed series meets After the Fall by Dan Santat in this charming picture book about a young acorn’s grand adventure and the incredible transformation that follows.

Acorn is a little wild, and from his oak tree perch, he longs for adventure. When he’s the first of his friends to jump off the oak tree, he’s on his way into the wide world, full of new experiences that fill his little heart with excitement!

But when a squirrel buries Acorn deep underground, the thrill-seeking Acorn finds himself forced to stay still, in the darkness, for a long time. To turn this biggest setback into a wild adventure, Acorn may have to change from the inside out.

2. If You Find a Leaf

Author: Aimée Sicuro

An exquisite picture book that celebrates the fall season and encourages children to see the colorful leaves around them in an entirely new way. The artist uses real leaves of vibrant hues to make her oh-so-charming illustrations.

Every year, gusts of wind blow colorful autumn leaves to the ground. Some leaves make a crunch under foot, and others are so beautiful they deserve to be saved.

In this story a young artist draws inspiration from the leaves she collects and every leaf sparks a new idea. She imagines turning a Japanese Zelkova leaf into a boat to sail far away, a Honey Locust leaf into a swing to sway in the gentle breeze, and an American Basswood leaf into a hot air balloon to float high above the trees.

Any young reader who turns the pages of this beautiful book will be inspired to use their own imagination as they hunt for leaves this fall. And for young readers who want to make their own leaf creations there are tips for including leaves in their artwork and additional fun craft ideas.

3. The Roll-Away Pumpkin

Author: Junia Wonders
Illustrator: Daniela Volpari

Multi-award-winning author and illustrator team delight young readers with a rollicking sequencing story.

When a large pumpkin gets away from its young owner, Marla, an amusing and lighthearted pursuit ensues. As it rolls down country roads, through a farm’s haystacks, past a milkman and his cart, over a stone bridge, through a city’s bistro, and past a butcher shop, readers will enjoy as each subsequent person joins in the young girl’s chase after the runaway, rollaway pumpkin, making for a silly procession that gets even sillier when the group encounters a marching parade. A pleasing ending has the ever-growing group enjoying a cauldron of pumpkin soup.

With stunning illustrations in beautiful muted earthy tones, many small details make each spread a delight in poring over-a dog with little sausages in its mouth, street signs that point “this way” and “that way”, a tiny windmill in the distance, leaves fluttering down on the country road, fresh baguettes stacked up in the baker’s wagon. A wonderfully lilting text is beautifully typeset in a fun and whimsical way, curving along the streets and alleys. A repeated refrain throughout the story adds a fun opportunity for young readers to chant along.

A short and simple story, The Roll-Away Pumpkin is a perfect read-aloud for families and educators of young children, while its highlighted keywords, repetitive language, and predictive nature make it ideal for beginner readers.

4. Autumn Feast: Nature's Harvest

Authors: Sean Taylor and Alex Morss
Illustrator: Cinyee Chiu

Discover the wonder of autumn and learn how wildlife prepares for the colder months ahead with this heart-warming non-fiction picture book.

The wind is blowing. Golden leaves are falling. Animals are busy gathering food to store away. It’s time to celebrate nature during the cooler autumn months…

In this beautiful, blustery story, join two young children and their mums as they go on an autumnal adventure in their local park. They spot amazing plants and animals and are enchanted by the sights and sounds around them – crunchy leaves, vibrant colours, and a feast of nuts, berries and fruit.

They pass through several wildlife habitats and begin to see that nature is full of life. They notice the little things – seeds blowing in the wind, mushrooms on the ground and empty shells all around.

Co-authors Sean Taylor (bestselling picture book author) and Alex Morss (ecologist, journalist and educator) offer a gentle introduction to autumn and different animal behaviors, including annotated illustrations. In the golden park, the fruit and leaves have fallen from the trees and the animals are collecting food. Why are the animals doing this? Where are they going?

Filled with fascinating facts and stunning illustrations, the books in this popular series encourage children to discover more about nature and the seasons. This is the fourth and final book, following Winter Sleep, Busy Spring and Wild Summer.

5. Fall Leaves

Author: Loretta Holland
Illustrator: Elly MacKay

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall–then snow!

Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

6. Chirri & Chirra, On The Town: Volume 5

Author: Kaya Doi
Illustrator: David Boyd

In this fifth book of perhaps the most charming series ever, Chirri and Chirra venture down forest paths and through alleyways into a yarn shop and an old woman’s house, where they enjoy hot drinks and soup. When they’re done, they find a wonderful surprise hidden in the branches of a tree. Memorable for Doi’s luminous appreciation of the natural world as well as her respect for beautiful edibles, this new installment is sure to delight!

7. What to Look For in Autumn

Author: Elizabeth Jenner
Illustrator: Natasha Durley

In the UK, autumn is a season of change and preparation. The air temperature starts to drop, trees change colour and the days get shorter. This book takes a closer look at hedgerow picnics, unexpected houseguests and hibernating hedgehogs as the secrets of autumn begin to appear in the world around us.

8. Sophie's Squash

Authors: Pat Zietlow Miller and Anne Wilsdorf

Kids will love this playful story of of a unique fall friendship between a girl . . . and her squash!

On a trip to the farmers’ market with her parents, Sophie chooses a squash, but instead of letting her mom cook it, she names it Bernice. From then on, Sophie brings Bernice everywhere, despite her parents’ gentle warnings that Bernice will begin to rot. As winter nears, Sophie does start to notice changes…. What’s a girl to do when the squash she loves is in trouble?

The recipient of four starred reviews, an Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, and a Charlotte Zolotow Honor, Sophie’s Squash will be a fresh addition to any collection of autumn books.

9. The Scarecrow

Author: Beth Ferry
Illustrators: Eric Fan and Terry Fan

Bestselling author Beth Ferry (Stick and Stone) and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers (The Night Gardener) present a gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share.

This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others–a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come.

All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing….

He saves the tiny baby crow.

Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?

10. Leaf Man

Author/Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Ride the wind and drift east with Leaf Man in this autumnal classic by Caldecott Honor-winning author-illustrator Lois Ehlert, now available as a board book, perfect for young readers returning to school in the fall.

Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows?

No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.

Ehlert crafts each illustration out of actual fall leaves on every spread to reveal gorgeous landscapes. This playful and whimsical book celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.

11. Sweep

Author: Louise Greig
Illustrator: Julia Sarda

An uplifting story about confronting big emotions from the author of The Night Box, stunningly illustrated byJúlia Sardà.

Ed’s bad mood begins as something really small, hardly a thing at all.
But before long it grows, gathers pace, and spreads through the whole town.
Can Ed sweep his troubles away?

A wonderful bedtime story for children aged 3 years and up, perfect for helping children learn to recognise and deal with big emotions.

12. Harvest Days: Giving Thanks Around the World (World of Celebrations)

Author: Kate DePalma

Explore harvest festivals from around the globe! Lyrical, rhyming text and lush, detailed artwork from Italian artist Martina Peluso immerse young readers in some of the most ancient traditions in the world. Nine pages of rich, educational endnotes dive deep with more information about the 12 cultures explored in the book and invite young readers to ask questions about food and the labour that produces it.

13. Pippa and Pelle in the Autumn Wind

Author: Daniela Drescher

Autumn has arrived! Pippa and Pelle can’t wait to play with their colourful kites.

The wind blows their kites high into the sky and golden leaves swirl around their heads. What other adventures will the season bring?

Daniela Drescher’s unique illustration style will capture any child’s imagination. This magical autumnal board book is full of seasonal details and is the perfect size for little hands.

14. Little Witch Hazel: A Year in the Forest

Author: Phoebe Wahl

An earthy and beautiful collection of four stories that celebrate the seasons, nature, and life, from award-winning author-illustrator Phoebe Wahl. Little Witch Hazel is a tiny witch who lives in the forest, helping creatures big and small. She’s a midwife, an intrepid explorer, a hard worker and a kind friend. In this four-season volume, Little Witch Hazel rescues an orphaned egg, goes sailing on a raft, solves the mystery of a haunted stump and makes house calls to fellow forest dwellers. But when Little Witch Hazel needs help herself, will she get it in time? Little Witch Hazel is a beautiful ode to nature, friendship, wild things and the seasons, that only Phoebe Wahl could create: an instant classic and a book that readers will pore over time and time again.

15. Autumn is Awesome (Stories for your Senses)

Author: Emma Steel
Illustrator: Wendy Wen

The Stories for your Senses series offers immersive reading experiences of anywhere you can imagine. And the best part is, it can all be done from the comfort of your home!

Every Cherry’s Stories for your Senses is an innovative series that immerses the reader in stories using the five senses. The storylines act as guides to each environment and sensory descriptions engage readers in each world that is created. Each page will prompt you to use readily available, household items to immerse readers in the environment.

These stories shine brightest when they are read by a carer or parent to a younger child or person with learning disabilities. Each book comes with a free audiobook and soundscape that captures the essence of the book to better immerse each reader. In Autumn is Awesome you can look forward to woodland sounds, colourful illustrations and lots of seasonal fun.

16. The Wilderness

Author/Illustrator: Steve McCarthy

This is a real adventure book, so be careful not to get too lost between its pages…
The Vasylenko family are adventurers. They all love the wet and the wild, the thrill of exploring the outside world. All that is … except Oktober. He prefers the warm and safe comfort of the inside world, and for his adventures to take place between the pages of a book. But tomorrow, Oktober has to join his family on a trek into the slimy, grimy and climby wild, where he sees only danger and worry and fears a creature called “The Wilderness”! Failing to keep his wits about him could be dangerous though – it may even get him a bit … lost. But perhaps getting lost is just what Oktober needs to find himself and maybe even make an unexpected friend.

The Wilderness is a wild and wondrous story of true bravery and discovering friendship in the most unexpected of places, perfect for adventurers and the more timid alike.

17. Amelia Bedelia's First Apple Pie

Author: Herman Parish
Illustrator: Lynne Avril

Amelia Bedelia loves everything about autumn

The colorful trees
Jumping in the leaves
Apples, apples, apples
Warm apple pie
Fun family projects

Hooray for apples!

Hooray for the fall!

18. Apple Cake

Author: Dawn Casey
Illustrator: Genevieve Godbout

Thank you, hedge, / Thank you, tree. / Thank you, flower, / Thank you, bee. / Thank you, rain, / Thank you, sun. / Thank you, farmers, / every one.

In this simple rhyming story from the author of Held in Love, a child says thank you for the gifts nature provides, from hazelnuts in the hedge to apples from the tree, eggs from the hens to milk from the cow. Eventually, the family has enough ingredients to make something special . . . a delicious apple cake!

With captivating illustrations that brim with emotion, this sweet picture book, now in paperback, encourages children to be grateful for the world around them. A recipe for apple cake at the end allows you and your child to share in joyful gratitude.

19. The Best Kind of Mooncake

Author Pearl AuYeung

Once upon a morning in Hong Kong, in the alley of Tai Yuen Street, a girl is promised a mooncake with a double-yolk centre – the best kind! The special mooncake seems like the only excitement on an otherwise boring day in the market where nothing changes… until an exhausted stranger falls to his knees right in the street! He ran through forests, swam through rivers, and even stowed away on a ship, all to get to Hong Kong. Now at the end of his journey, all he needs is a bite to eat, but no one seems willing to help – not even the girl, if it means giving up her prized treat. The girl’s ultimate decision has surprising, far-reaching consequences in this mostly true story that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness hold the power to change lives, for the giver as much as the receiver.

20. The Tiny Woman’s Coat

Author: Joy Cowley
Illustrator: Giselle Clarkson

A small and cozy book leaving preschoolers snug as a bug, from award-winning author, Joy Cowley. The tiny woman makes a coat of leaves with the help of her animal friends. The trees, geese, porcupine, horse and plants all share something so the tiny woman can snip, snip, snip and stitch, stitch, stitch a coat to keep herself warm. Friend and sharing are at the heart of this warm and simple rhythmic poem by one of the world’s best children’s writers. A perfectly cozy hardback storybook to read-aloud and share with babies, toddlers and preschoolers who will delight in everything tiny and small, including the fresh and funny illustrations by award-winning illustrator Giselle Clarkson.

Autumn is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, whether you’re enjoying the sound of rain on the windows or snuggled under a blanket with your little ones. These stories are more than just tales; they’re gateways to imagination, wonder, and shared moments with your child. So, grab a cosy spot, pick one of these autumn gems, and dive into the magic of the season together.

I’d love to hear which books you and your kiddos are enjoying this autumn! Share your favourites in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to keep creating those warm, book-filled memories.

For more cosy reading ideas, fun parenting tips, and activities, follow me on Instagram @SaraMelides. And if you found this post helpful, don’t forget to pin it for later on Pinterest!