Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice: Picture Books That Celebrate Fall
by Rosemary D'Urso
With its stunning colors, exciting holidays, and delicious treats, there is so much magic and wonder around the fall season! Many picture books display awe-inspiring autumnal activities through gorgeous artwork and characters picking apples, enjoying hayrides, and choosing the perfect pumpkin. As the weather gets cooler, grab a blanket and cozy up with a loved one while enjoying these fabulous fall stories!
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A Fall Day for Bear
Buy from:A perfect “snuggle-under-a-blanket” fall read, this one follows Bear — grumpy but big-hearted — and his friend Mouse, who’s feeling blue about everything autumn takes away: the falling leaves, migrating birds, fading flowers. Bear sets off on a mission to cheer Mouse up (and bring back some warmth), discovering that laughter — and friendship — can help even when things change. A gentle, comforting story that captures fall’s beauty and its bittersweet moments.
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Squash & Pumpkin: #SquashGoals
Buy from:Pumpkin always gets the spotlight come autumn — latte love, pies, pumpkin patches galore. Acorn Squash, Pumpkin’s best friend, decides this year she’s going to shine too. With pun-filled fun, harvest fairs, and bright, friendly illustrations, this picture book turns envy into friendship and proves every gourd has something special to offer.
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Leif and the Fall
Buy from:Autumn has arrived, and Leif (a fretful leaf) feels anxious about falling to the ground. So, he builds a variety of gadgets to ease his drop. When nothing works quite right, Leif fears he has failed. In a surprising turn of events, Leif’s efforts get rewarded with a satisfying ending that will leave readers cheering for the hardworking leaf. With its message of problem-solving and persistence, this book will be a hit in both home and classroom libraries!
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If You Find a Leaf
Buy from:When a young girl uses her imagination to turn leaves into things like boats and swings, she goes on a one-of-a-kind adventure. The artist used real leaves when creating the illustrations for this book, and the result is a stunning celebration of fall that readers of all ages will love.
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Pumpkin Spice
Buy from:A gentle board book for the youngest readers, Pumpkin Spice wraps autumn in a blanket of senses—crimson leaves, warm spices, crunchy feet through fallen foliage. When Pumpkin Spice (a curious little girl in costume) meets a talking pumpkin, she learns the real reason leaves change color. Full of smells, tastes, and a real pumpkin spice recipe at the back, it’s a soft, cozy welcome to fall.
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Leaves
Buy from:In this adorable story, an empathetic young bear worries about the leaves falling from the trees. The bear attempts to put them back on but eventually makes a cozy den with them. When he awakens from his hibernation in the spring, he’s elated to discover the leaves have returned. This delightful tale is an ideal choice for a fall storytime with young children.
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Amara's Farm
Buy from:Help Amara search her garden for a pumpkin in this adorable harvest-themed picture book. Children will love exploring the ripe vegetables and fruits to find the perfect pumpkin for a potluck dinner.
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The Ugly Pumpkin
Buy from:This playful twist on The Ugly Duckling follows a misshapen pumpkin searching for a home. Disappointed no one chooses him as a jack-o’-lantern, the pumpkin wanders the countryside until he realizes his true identity and celebrates Thanksgiving somewhere that he can put down roots. Bouncy rhymes, bright colors, and a surprise ending make this picture book fun to read aloud.
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It’s Corn Picking Time!
Buy from:Climb aboard the tractor for a rhyming, rollicking look at harvest time. From chomping cornheads to golden wagonloads, this book buzzes with the sounds of the harvest. Lively illustrations and rich details make it a delightful autumn adventure that captures all the fun of fall on the farm.
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Dinosaur, Dinosaur, Fall Is Here
Buy from:This adorable picture book features a collection of seasonal fall rhymes, all with a dinosaur twist! Little ones will love hearing about each dinosaur as they go for a hayride, go apple picking, visit a corn maze, pick pumpkins, and more!
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Sophie’s Squash
Buy from:With its endearing storyline, this is one of my all-time favorite picture books about fall! It’s hard not to smile at the adorable Sophie who adopts a squash that she names Bernice. The unlikely friends do everything together until Bernice begins her unavoidable decay. To save her friend, Sophie buries her in the garden, resulting in the most delightful surprise in the spring.
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Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Buy from:Celebrate the Moon Festival, one of China’s most significant holidays in the fall. A Chinese American family prepares for the festival by making food and decorations on the big day. That night, they eat their feast under a full moon. Kids will love learning more about Chinese culture and this unique autumn holiday.
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When Fall Comes
Buy from:When the temperatures drop and days shorten, a family heads outdoors to connect with nature. The family's bonds grow as they take in the sights, look for mushrooms, and watch the wildlife preparing for winter. This beautiful picture book is the third installment in the poetic When Seasons Come series and is a must-read for fall.
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The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Buy from:The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night has been a classic fall read for over fifty years, and it isn’t hard to see why! It follows a fox as he wanders through a sleepy New England town in search of food. Each page is brimming with beautiful illustrations of autumn vistas so vivid you can almost hear the leaves crunching under the fox’s feet.
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Mouse Seasons
Buy from:Featuring gorgeous illustrations, this story by the renowned author and illustrator Leo Lionni celebrates the four seasons. Frederick, the cherished mouse from Lionni’s Caldecott Honor Book of the same name, reappears in this book. In it, he bolsters his community of mice with the wonders of fall, winter, spring, and summer.
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Strega Nona's Harvest
Buy from:Join Strega Nona as she grows a well-planned and organized garden and Big Anthony as he haphazardly creates a secret one. Readers will laugh at Big Anthony’s garden-growing attempt and enjoy Strega Nona’s solution for the extra vegetables. Readers of all ages love Tomie dePaola’s signature warmth and humor in this bestselling fall classic.
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The Wilderness
Buy from:Oktober is afraid of the unknown and dislikes being outside. So when he gets separated from his family on a hike, he gets hopelessly lost in the wilderness. But Oktober is surprised to find beautiful scenery, adventure, and a new friend instead of monsters and misery. Vibrant illustrations accompany the subtle message that the outdoors is something to appreciate rather than fear.
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.