Autumn in a basket

Better late than never, right? I'd wanted to pull out a collection of autumn children's books on the equinox, but didn't have time to fully search the shelves until this weekend. Oh, well, we have a nice collection of them out now, decked out with an "autumn" sign by one of the four-year-olds. This afternoon, I'm planning to take the basket outside for reading on a cozy blanket amidst the leaves.

What we're reading this fall:

Autumn by Gerda Muller. I love this seasonal wordless series, and use them regularly to decorate our seasonal table.
Now It's Fall by Lois Lenski. I'm collecting this series, too, because I love its sweet old-fashioned style. Heavy on the mainstream holidays, but so cute, I include it anyway.
Autumn Story by Jill Barklem. I'm in love with the detail in the illustrations of the Brambly Hedge books: larders full of tiny food, trees criss-crossed with elaborate tunnels, nests fully outfitted as a house, etc. This story of a girl who gets lost is just suspenseful enough to be great fun for the kids, and so satisfying when she's found again.
Fall by Ann Blades. I have a few from this seasonal wordless board-book series, and they're somewhat odd, but sweet, too. I love all the glimpses of animals in the woods, and the simple pleasures of playing in the leaves, watching a train go by, etc.
My First Halloween by Tomie dePaola. The kids request this book over and over, probably because it so well reflects their experience of the season: carving pumpkins, decorating with simple cut-outs, putting on costumes, trick-or-treating.
Georgie's Halloween by Robert Bright. I remember loving Georgie as a kid. He's a sweet, shy, gentle ghost, and the stories about him are equally sweet and gentle. Nice in the midst of a holiday that can be frightening.
Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell. A simple story about going to pick fruit at a local farm. Pretty obvious why I'd like it!
Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington. A simple description of the life cycle of a pumpkin. Love the close-up illustrations and insects shown throughout.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams. Just the thing when kids want a "scary" story. The repetition and suspense here are just right.
Play with your Pumpkins by Joost Elfers and Saxton Freymann. Not a children's book, but inspiring and fun to look at.
Chipmunk at Hollow Tree Lane by Victoria Sherrow. A chipmunk prepares for winter. I love this idea of preparation in this season, because that's what we're doing, too, and it's cool for the kids to see us as part of that natural rhythm. For the same reason, I love
The Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tafuri. I adore her illustrations of animals, too.
Let's Find Out About Fall by Martha and Charles Sharp. Part of the "Let's Find Out About Science" series, which I love in their vintage form (much more than the newer versions). I got this one at that recent great library sale.
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington. The kids love this story about Annie, who grows apples, makes many things from them, and sells them at the farmer's market. I love the local-food aspect, and all the signs to read in the illustrations.
The Ghost-Eye Tree by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault. Another great scary one. I once heard Bill Martin, Jr. read this book, and it was incredible! I aspire to tell it as well.
Pumpkin Circle by George Levenson. A completely different approach to the pumpkin life cycle, this time with photographs.
Skeleton Hiccups by Margery Cuyler. This one gets hysterical laughs from 4-year-olds.
Flower Fairies of the Autumn by Cicely Mary Barker. These fairies have gotten way over-commercialized, in my opinion, but I still appreciate their beauty and the idea of introducing all these plant names through their appropriately-garbed fairy folk.
The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown. The more I read of hers, the more I think she was wise indeed; she knows just the right tone to keep children's rapt attention. This one's fun because it's about getting to act scary and big.
Frederick by Leo Lionni. While we're preparing for winter, I love this reminder that art, too, is necessary.
The Bear's Autumn by Keizaburo Tejima. We have bears who travel through our yard, so bear books are always a hit here. This one, set in Japan, has beautiful woodcuts.