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Books to Read... To Get in the Mood for Fall

It is still hot here in Provo, but September is almost here and it is time to get in the mood for fall. I’m thinking about woodland animals, falling leaves, and cozy topics. Here are some books to get you and your kids in that autumn mood.

Written by Jen Arena
Illustrated by Jessica Gibson
New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book.

This little acorn is anxious to get off the tree and have some adventures. Not long after he falls off the tree, a squirrel buries him in the ground and he has no choice but to wait in the dark. As he waits, some exciting changes happen and he begins to grow into a beautiful oak tree.

A Very Big Fall 
By Emmy Kastner
Boston: Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers, 2022. Picture Book.

Being a leaf is great when the weather is good and the view is beautiful. But as the weather starts to change, these different leaves have to adjust to the cold air. The squirrels help them learn about the changes to come.

Woodland Dreams 
Written by Karen Jameson
Illustrated by Marc Boutavant
San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2020. Picture Book.

A little girl and her dog are walking home through the woods. On their walk they are saying goodnight to all of the different woodland animals. Finally, they arrive at their own cabin and are ready to have sweet woodland dreams.

The Belonging Tree
Written by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Illustrated by Kristine A Lombardi
New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2020. Picture Book.

A little squirrel’s parents want to have the tree all to themselves. Squirrel doesn’t feel right about excluding the chipmunks, blue jays, and beavers. He convinces them to welcome all of the new woodland creatures to their tree.

If You Go Down to the Woods Today
Written by Rachel Piercey
Illustrated by Freya Hartas
New York : Magic Cat Publishing, 2021. Picture Book.

Cute woodsy poems with whimsical illustrations. There are even activities on every other page where you look to find different animals on the page. So much to find, learn and explore in this book.

The Leaf Thief
Written by  Alice Hemming
Illustrated by Nicola Slater
Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2021. Picture Book.

Squirrel loves living in the forest and seeing all the colorful autumn leaves. As time goes on he realizes that there are less and less leaves. This makes him start to wonder who is stealing all of the leaves?


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