This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.

Are you looking for the perfect selection of fall books to cozy up on the couch with your children? Or do you love to sit under a beautiful autumnal tree, blanket spread out, with seasonally pleasing books to thumb through with your littles?

Whatever your favorite place is to read with your small people, I have a great list for you!

Enter my new quarterly blog post: The Seasonal Book Basket.

This selection of books comes from many places, which I will list for you in a resources section at the end of the post. I will highlight my favorite picture books, but the list is by no means exhaustive, so be sure to check out the other places I mention for many, many more options.

Why a Seasonal Book Basket?

Simply put, it is a way to add a little something extra to the changing of seasons in your home.

Our family has moved many, many times. We’ve never carried seasonal decor (other than Christmas) around with us. Books are an excellent way to emphasize that change in your home. If you borrow from the library it’s free, and it keeps your home clutter to a minimum by being able to return them once you’re done.

I think that you may find it to be a change you look forward to throughout the year—your children might too!

Cozy Autumn Reading Traditions

There are so many ways your family can enjoy books together.

The classic—and our most loved—way to read together is simply cuddling on the couch. Want to make this more of an autumn experience? Try lighting your favorite scented candle or diffusing a cozy essential oil blend. Warm up some apple cider and bake a favorite fall treat.

Another way our family loves to read is outside under a tree. Spread out a blanket and enjoy the best books in a beautiful setting. Our climate will be hot for quite some time, but we have noticed the mornings and evenings starting to be more tolerable, so I plan to incorporate this into our week soon.

You could also create a small unit study (essentially, a collection of books to study a topic) around books you love. Say your children enjoy How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World. You could easily turn this into a deeper dive into the growth of an apple—all the way to the harvest and baking of an apple pie. Read nonfiction picture books on apples together, and then top it off by visiting an apple orchard! Then the best part…make an apple pie! Or just buy one at the store if you’re exhausted 😂 No judgment from me!

There are so many ways to make it extra special.

Simple or grand, just reading to your children will make memories that will be cherished forever.

Our Favorite Fall Picture Books

🍂 Timeless Autumn Classics

In November by Cynthia Rylant
A gentle, lyrical picture book capturing the quiet beauty of November, as animals prepare for winter and families gather in gratitude.

Folks Call Me Appleseed John by Andrew Glass
Follow Johnny Appleseed’s legendary journey, full of adventure, kindness, and surprising twists, brought to life with rich illustrations.

The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown
A tender tale of a young scarecrow determined to be as fierce as his father, learning courage along the way.

Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
A walk through the autumn woods turns into a leaf-collecting adventure, introducing children to the beauty and variety of fall foliage.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
Collage-style leaf illustrations form whimsical shapes as “Leaf Man” drifts wherever the wind blows—celebrating nature’s fleeting beauty.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
When Fletcher the fox worries about his favorite tree losing its leaves, he discovers that change brings new beauty and hope.

🍎 Cozy Harvest & Farm Tales

Ox-Cart Man by Donald Hall
One of my most favorite fall reads. Beautiful illustrations and a simple, lovely story of a farmer and his family working through the seasons.

Johnny Appleseed by Reeve Lindbergh
A poetic retelling of the legendary Johnny Appleseed, highlighting his love for nature, kindness, and apple trees.

Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
A story of Strega Nona’s magical secrets and Big Anthony’s silly mischief—a charming way to introduce the Strega Nona series to your children!

Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher
A lyrical picture book that celebrates the glowing harvest moon and how it touches the world of animals and people alike.

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
Simple and sweet—a perfect story for your littlest ones about a young girl’s joy in picking apples and pumpkins.

🦃 Turkey Fun

A Turkey for Thanksgiving by Eve Bunting
All Mrs. Moose has ever wanted for Thanksgiving is a real turkey. Mr. Moose and his friends set off on an adventure—only to bring home a very surprised (and terrified) guest!

Little Tom Turkey by Frances Bloxam
The charming story of Little Tom, the smallest of ten chicks, as he grows into a strong and independent wild turkey.

Too Many Turkeys by Linda White
A lighthearted tale of a pet turkey whose antics bring both joy and chaos, turning one turkey into far too many!

🦉 Whimsical Woods & Autumn Adventures

Duck & Goose: Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
This sweet, simple story was the first book loved by my oldest son. Toddlers will delight in helping Duck and Goose search for the perfect pumpkin.

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter
A mischievous squirrel learns a lesson in respect after teasing the wise old owl on Owl Island.

Paul Bunyan by Steven Kellogg
A larger-than-life folk tale brought to life with vivid illustrations—follow Paul Bunyan’s legendary adventures and the beautiful western landscapes he shapes.

More Autumn Book Ideas

🍎 Apple Themes

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World by Marjorie Priceman
When the local shop is closed, a little girl sets off on a worldwide adventure to gather ingredients for an apple pie—perfect for sparking conversations about geography and cultures.

The Life and Times of the Apple by Charles Micucci
A nonfiction look at an apple’s life, from seed to table—ideal for older children curious about nature and the science of food.

---

🦃 Thanksgiving-Themed Stories

The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
Follows the pilgrims on the Mayflower and their journey to Plymouth. Best for children who can enjoy a longer, detailed read.

The Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene
A beautifully illustrated introduction to the story of Thanksgiving, perfect for younger children.

This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Krauss Melmed
Follow along as the pilgrims and Native Americans prepare for their very first Thanksgiving feast—a simple, engaging story for little ones.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims by B.G. Hennessy
A charming counting book featuring pilgrim and Native American children, perfect to sing along with.

🦇 Bat Themes

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
One of my childhood favorites! Follow baby Stellaluna as she is rescued by a mother bird and navigates a series of charming and silly adventures.

Zipping, Zapping, Zooming Bats by Ann Earle
A simple, engaging introduction to bats—perfect for young readers and a great starting point for further learning about these fascinating creatures.

⛪️ Christian Inspired

Saint Francis and the Wolf by Jane Langton
Celebrating Saint Francis’ gentleness and love for animals, this beautifully illustrated book includes a heartfelt poem inside the front and back covers.

Note: Saint Francis of Assisi is celebrated on October 4th.

Resources for Finding Seasonal Books

There are many book lists that can be found online, but not all are created equal. Over the years, I have found two consistent websites that I think have the best selections.

1. Read Aloud Revival
   • Sarah Mackenzie is by far one of my most favorite ladies on the internet. Her blog gave me the confidence I needed to choose excellent books to read to my children. Years later, I still turn to her website for a huge selection of beautifully curated books. She has just about any category you can think of. I highly suggest checking it out!
2. Memoria Press
   • When our family decided to homeschool about four years ago, we chose curriculum from Memoria Press. We have a deep appreciation for their program, especially the read-aloud sets. Though the website isn’t set up like a traditional blog with lists, I encourage you to look through their read-aloud sets for the younger years and see what they suggest. You will not be disappointed.
3. Ambleside Online
   • The link I attached for Ambleside Online is a master booklist document. I have not personally used Ambleside, but I know many families who do and absolutely love it. Charlotte Mason in style and classical in nature, the list places a heavy emphasis on beautiful, living books. I hope to start working through it in the years to come! Let me know what your favorites are from here.

Start Your Own Seasonal Book Basket

📖 What’s Worthy of Your Home Library?

I recommend, especially if you are new to motherhood, not purchasing books right away. If you haven’t spent time reading whatever you can get your hands on, how will you know what is worthy of your home library? Check out my list, and the other lists I’ve included, and start reading. See what you love and what you don’t. Make a list. Note authors who seem to come up often.

🏛 Make the Most of Your Library

While you are learning what’s lovely and what isn’t, make the most of your local library. If you only have littles and library time can be hectic, ask your husband for an hour alone to peruse what’s available.

Does your library have an online “hold” service? Use this to save special books you want to try out. If you’re hoping for certain holiday books, be sure to place them on hold a few weeks early so they won’t be checked out.

📚 Where to Find Used Books

Once you start honing in on books you think are wonderful, look anywhere and everywhere for used copies. Also, keep a list of authors you’ve loved—if they’ve written one excellent book, chances are they have more your family will enjoy.

Here are my favorite places to find used books:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Used bookstores (so much fun to wander through!)
• Thriftbooks.com
• Library book sales or library bookstores (our library system has dedicated shops with excellent deals)
• Amazon (check the “used” section when selecting a title)

🎁 Building Traditions with New Books

Finally, I recommend buying a new book—or a series of books—for your children at Christmas. In our family, each child receives a book as part of their gift. Since grandparents usually cover the toys, we reserve our money for books and, like last year, fun activities for the 12 Days of Christmas. Children love consistency, and our hope is to create excitement around the new book they receive each year.

Closing: What’s in Your Basket?

There are more books than I could discover in a lifetime! So, dear reader, what are your favorite autumnal picture books? Let’s grow our family libraries together and cherish these memories. Share what you love in the comments below!

Blessings,
Payton