I can’t believe it is October already! The fall weather isn’t quite here yet, though it is crisp in the morning. Later this week I hope to visit a pumpkin farm with Patrick and take a hayride possibly.
Currently, I work very part time as an adult reference librarian, but for almost 10 years I worked as a children’s librarian. I wanted to share with you today some book recommendations for Fall and Halloween for the young people in your life. You can pick them up at your local library or you can click on the titles if you are interested in purchasing them through Amazon. I tried to include picture books that would appeal to a variety of ages and am listing them with the easiest books listed first.
****Note: I recently signed on to be an Amazon Affiliate. This is something I am experimenting with and I plan on doing this occasionally in my posts, but not every post. If you purchase any books, a percentage of your sales will benefit me personally, but I also love libraries and I recommend utilizing your local library.
The Busy Little Squirrel (Classic Board Books)
and winter but is he too busy to stop and enjoy the world around him? Sometimes a busy little squirrel just needs to rest. Your baby or toddler will love the simple text and colorful pictures. I personally used this book almost every year for a fall baby/ toddler storytime.
Go Away, Big GreeAln Monster!
and a long blueish green nose.” Help children conquor their fear of the dark or just have some fun with your little ones. It is fun die-cut book perfect for babies and toddlers. Children might enjoy putting their faces into the eye and mouth cut outs. Great for sharing one-on-one. Ages 0+
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
toad are going to a party just down the road.” They are going to a Halloween party! While they drive, they see friends along the way dressed up in various costumes. Patrick received this book for Halloween last year from his Aunt Jenny. We have probably read it multiple times a week since then. Great fun! Ages 1+
Mrs. McNosh and the Great Big Squash
Westcott: Mrs. McNosh plants a seed in her yard that grows into a great big squash. But what will happen when the squash rolls out of her garden and threatens to destroy the town. You toddler or three year old will enjoy the fun rhyming book.
If You’re Spooky and You Know It
along book will have you moving as a werewolve, a witch, a monster, a vampire, a skeleton, a cat, ghost, and a mummy dance to a new take on the song “If You Are Happy and You Know It”. Are you spooky enough to sing along? Fun for all ages.
Creepy Carrots!
carrots from Crakenhopper field, but maybe a little too much. One day Jasper thinks the carrots are following him. Are they? Can carrots do that? Find out in this Caldecott-Honor winning book. You will love the illustrations and the October chill worthy story. A great read aloud for you ages child 3 and up.
The Hallo-Weiner
has short legs, a long body, and all he wants to do is dress up as something scary. When Oscar comes home from school on Halloween his mother has another costume idea for him, a hotdog, and other neighborhood dogs think this is hilarious. A brave act on Oscar’s part changes everybody’s mind about what a wiener dog can do. Ages 3+
Every Autumn Comes the Bear
and searches for food before the onset of winter. This book was always on of my favorite stories to read in preschool storytime in late fall. The watercolor illustrations are wonderful and show the changing of the seasons between fall and winter. Sparse text and vivid illustrations make this a great read aloud for children 1+.
When a Monster Is Born
monster is born one of two things could happen, it could be a far-a-way in the forests monster or it’s an under your bed monster. Thus begins a series of two paths a monster might go down. While this book is not necessarily an autumn or Halloween book, it fits into the theme of monsters which you might talk about near Halloween. The bold illustrations and fun story make this a great read aloud that your child will ask for again and again. Ages 3 and up.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Megan Lloyd: There was once a little old lady who lived in a cottage by herself in the woods and was not easily rattled. She could not be started by the shoes that went “clomp clomp” or the shirt that went “shake shake” or even the scary pumpkin head that followed her around. You and your child will love the onomatopoeia of this lively book. Ages 3 and up.
Space Case (Reading Rainbow)
earth from outer space and is mistaken for a trick-or-treater in this classic Halloween picture book. What does the “Thing” think about earth and its occupants. Is Halloween the best day to lean about earth? There is lots to about in this quick witted picture book! Ages and 3.
Zen Ghosts
friend Stillwater who still has one more surprise for them, a visitor and spooky story. This is the third installment in the Stillwater/ Zen series by Jon J. Muth. This tale is based on a an old philosophical story. The illustrations in this book are wonderful and Muth’s tale will really get the listener thinking. This is story for ages 5+ though younger readers might appreciate it.
What are some of your favorite fall picture books? What do you look forward to reading every year to the young persons in your life?
