Autumn is a wonderful window for teaching children the significance of natural cycles and the deeper meaning of the harvest season. This time of year offers children’s book authors, teachers, and parents the opportunity to highlight themes of the rewards we reap through hard work and sustained effort, gratitude for the simple joys in life and the dreams of yesterday that have been realized today, and generosity of spirit in getting to share our abundance with others. Below are five memorable children’s stories that speak to these concepts in meaningful ways.
Noticing by Kobi Yamada
Recommended age level: 5 and up
From best-selling author Kobi Yomada, Noticing is a captivating tale of learning to see beyond what is and into the possibility of what may be. Through eye-opening dialogue and Elise Hurst’s intriguing illustrations brimming with hidden elements, an artist shows a young girl how to notice the everyday magic all around her by looking with not only her eyes but also her heart. Lessons of mindfulness abound in this wonder-provoking story: gratitude for the ordinary things that no longer seem so ordinary when taking time to fully appreciate them, kindness in noticing the best qualities in others, and the marvels waiting to be discovered when one commits to staying curious about life.
Story extensions:
~Take your child for a walk in nature, consciously seeking out details that may usually escape you. A tree trunk with a face, a rock shaped like a dragon, a woodpecker drumming in the distance…the possibilities are endless!
~Find a serene spot outdoors for cloud-watching. Discuss the images noticed by each viewer, reflecting upon everyone’s unique perspective and how it contributes to what they see. Afterwards, recreate everyone’s favorite cloud shapes using oil pastels, watercolor paints, cotton balls, or shaving cream (follow the link here to a fun shaving cream marbling activity that would make a great medium for artsy clouds: https://artfulparent.com/diy-marbled-paper/)!
A Bold Pumpkin Plan by Katy Hudson
Recommended age level: 4–8 years
From another best-selling author, Katy Hudson, this beautifully illustrated story that takes place in an autumn setting follows a timid hedgehog who summons the courage to try something new—using the harvest to build a new home. Of course, this is easier said than done, as Hedgehog discovers when he sets out on his four-part journey and finds it full of unforeseen obstacles. Through the kindness of strangers and his own determination, Hedgehog finds solutions to each dilemma and winds up being a stronger, more confident version of himself with broadened horizons. Additional features readers will enjoy in this book are visually stimulating print and spots of repetitive language that encourage young minds to read along.
Story Extensions:
~Help your child develop sequencing skills by trying to recall Hedgehog’s four-step plan for building his home—copying Hedgehog’s handwritten steps onto a few Post-it Notes for your child to arrange in the proper order will get you started nicely! Using story reenactment (through live acting or props) to rehearse the procession of new friends who come to Hedgehog’s aid— each with their own special gift to offer—will add even more sequencing fun to this adventurous tale.
~Use playdough to simulate Hedgehog’s journey! Think of this as a clay version of the board game Mouse Trap, with props added to sculpted scenery that a small, squishy “pumpkin” can roll through. Pro tip: Cinnamon sticks make great tree trunks for a forest!
Nell Plants a Tree by Anne Wynter
Recommended age level: 4–8 years
A beautiful picture book portraying one little girl’s tender, loving care of a seed that grows into a pecan tree alongside her blossoming family, Nell Plants a Tree is a heartwarming story about honoring a family legacy. Throughout two separate timelines reflecting the intergenerational evolution of Nell and her family, Nell’s patience and perseverance pay off as her glorious pecan tree bears gifts both immediate and long-reaching.
Story Extensions:
~Work with your child to make their own family tree, starting with a patchwork tree made from collage materials in the style of illustrator Daniel Miyares. Ask—Which patterns, colors, and images did you choose for your patchwork tree, and why? Their answers may surprise you!
~Fill a large jar with pecans, and estimate the total number inside. Practice counting by 1s, 5s, or 10s as you unload the contents of the jar to find out whose guess was most accurate.
~For older children, discuss inferencing by asking what they learned from the book that the narrator never said aloud and which clues led them to their conclusions.
The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
Recommended age level: 3–6 years
One of many classic STEM-related books from Gail Gibbons, author of nearly fifty distinguished nonfiction books for children, The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree follows the life cycle of a beloved apple tree that belongs to Arnold’s family. Simple yet charming pictures show how an apple tree changes from one season to the next while Arnold anticipates the traditions each chapter brings.
Story Extensions:
~Follow the instructions in the harvest phase of the book to make your own apple pie or apple cider!
~Have a taste-testing competition where everyone votes on their favorite variety of apple. Then determine the winner by drawing a bar graph.
~Have your child sketch or paint four identical trees on four separate sheets of paper. Next, provide strips of multicolored tissue paper for scrunching into seasonal adornments and gluing on the branches (think bright colors for spring flowers, green tissue for lush summer leaves, autumn colors—and tiny apples—for a fall tree, and white tissue or cottonballs for winter snow). Once their masterpieces are complete, practice placing their four trees in the proper sequence to reflect the cycle of seasons across the year.
From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer
Recommended age level: 3–6 years
A Harper Collins Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out science book, this nonfiction picture book is both entertaining and educational. Young readers will learn basic science vocabulary as they observe the life cycle of a pumpkin, depicted through scenic illustrations of life on a pumpkin farm, and the stages of growth that take place from seed to harvested fruit.
Story Extensions:
~Follow instructions in the “Find Out More” section at the end of the book to conduct your own science experiment and see firsthand how plants drink water! You can also find a recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds here.
~Sketch and label each stage of growth in the pumpkin life cycle on a separate index card (or find a great template your child can cut and color, like the one here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Pumpkin-Life-Cycle-Diagram-Coloring-Sheet-8487307?epik=dj0yJnU9WGdJOEtfQTRFdGtqYTg4RnUwUWJyWXVXVjh5Y2UtOUgmcD0wJm49VTB4YmFubXExMWtQZlNFS0xQTnMxdyZ0PUFBQUFBR2NwYXN3). Then punch a small hole in every card and help your child string them onto a piece of ribbon or yarn in the correct order—they now have their very own pumpkin banner! Don’t forget to save their best card for last, attaching their favorite jack-o-lantern design or pumpkin-flavored dessert to the end of the line!
Thank you for reading this KidLit post! There are many more to come. If you’d like more updates on children’s literature, make sure to create an account through my website and follow my blog. Happy Harvest!
