10+ Best Fall Books for 3-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

As the leaves start to change color and the air gets a bit chillier, it's the perfect time to cozy up with your little one and a good book. If you're on the hunt for the perfect autumn-themed reads, you've come to the right place! Our roundup of fall books for 3-year-olds is packed with charming stories that celebrate the season. Keep reading to discover our favorite picks that are sure to captivate and entertain your preschooler.

Fun Fall Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow the journey of the Leaf Man as he blows away with the wind and travels over landscapes dotted with fall foliage.
  • Why we recommend this book: The stunning autumnal collage illustrations ignite the imagination and encourage outdoor exploration.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love nature and exploring the outdoors.

• Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Seasons
  • Synopsis: Fletcher the fox becomes worried as his favorite tree begins to lose its leaves, but he soon learns the beauty and natural cycle of the seasons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the changing seasons, teaching resilience and the beauty of nature's cycles.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about nature and the environment.

• Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal
  • Synopsis: A young girl spends a beautiful fall day picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkin with her family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights family bonding and the joys of seasonal traditions, perfect for getting into the fall spirit.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy family outings and seasonal activities like apple picking or pumpkin carving.

• The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry, illustrated by The Fan Brothers
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Friendship, Seasons
  • Synopsis: This touching tale explores the life of a scarecrow who stands alone in the field, scaring away birds, until he makes an unexpected friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a heartwarming story about loneliness, kindness, and friendship.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love stories about unusual friendships and emotional growth.

• Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Seasons
  • Synopsis: Join a young girl as she walks through her community, greeting all the signs of the coming season and observing how her surroundings change.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully illustrates the transition from summer to fall and encourages mindfulness and observation in young children.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are observant and enjoy seeing changes in the world around them.

Educational Fall Books for 3-Year-Olds

• We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger, illustrated by Miki Sakamoto
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Adventure, Nature
  • Synopsis: Three friends go on an exciting adventure through various landscapes to collect different kinds of leaves.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Nature identification, pattern recognition, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a fun, rhythmic story that encourages physical activity and teaches about different types of leaves and trees.
  • Perfect for: Energetic toddlers who enjoy outdoor activities and nature explorations.

• Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
  • Genre(s): Non-fiction, Picture Book, Science
  • Synopsis: This book is all about the wonders of autumn, from the science of why leaves change color to the fun of jumping in leaf piles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Scientific observation, understanding of seasons, sensory awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a comprehensive look at the season with vibrant photos and engaging facts, making learning fun and accessible.
  • Perfect for: Curious youngsters who have lots of questions about the natural world.

• Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher, illustrated by Kate Kiesler
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Poetry
  • Synopsis: As the harvest moon shines down, various scenes of both the human and animal world unfold, showing how they react to this bright moon.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Appreciation for poetry, understanding of nocturnal animals, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated and poetic story that captures the magic and serenity of the autumn moon.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy quiet, reflective stories and those fascinated by the night sky.

• Duck & Goose, Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Friendship, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Duck and Goose go on a hunt to find the perfect pumpkin. They search everywhere but realize they might be looking in the wrong spots.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Problem-solving, friendship dynamics, spatial awareness
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a simple yet charming story that teaches about persistence and teamwork in a light-hearted way.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy stories of friendship and simple adventures.

• Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber, illustrated by Leslie Evans
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational, Nature
  • Synopsis: This vibrant book celebrates the falling leaves of autumn with colorful illustrations and details about different types of trees.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Leaf identification, understanding of deciduous trees, seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines lovely hand-printed illustrations with educational content that's perfect for young nature lovers.
  • Perfect for: Kids who love collecting leaves and learning more about the nature around them.

Challenging Fall Books for 3-Year-Olds

• Over and Under the Pumpkin Patch by Jennifer Ward, illustrated by Jing Jing Tsong
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book explores the hidden world beneath a pumpkin patch, revealing the secret lives of the creatures living under the soil and the processes that help pumpkins grow.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecological concepts and scientific vocabulary related to plant growth and animal habitats.
  • Why we recommend this book: It provides a unique perspective on a familiar fall theme, encouraging curiosity and a deeper understanding of nature.
  • Perfect for: Young scientists and nature explorers who are fascinated by how things grow and what happens beneath the surface.

• Counting on Fall by Lizann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Math, Nature
  • Synopsis: As the leaves start to fall, this book integrates simple math concepts with the changing seasons, inviting readers to count and calculate with animals preparing for winter.
  • Why this book is challenging: It incorporates math skills like counting, addition, and basic arithmetic in a natural setting, which is advanced for three-year-olds.
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning math fun and relevant by connecting it with the seasonal changes and animal behaviors of fall.
  • Perfect for: Little mathematicians and animal lovers who enjoy interactive learning and outdoor themes.

• The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Growth, Seasons
  • Synopsis: A single yellow leaf isn’t quite ready to leave its branch as autumn progresses, symbolizing themes of resistance and change.
  • Why this book is challenging: The metaphorical use of the leaf to discuss feelings about change and letting go introduces abstract concepts that are sophisticated for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses the emotions associated with change and the courage often required to make transitions, encouraging emotional intelligence.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful young readers who may be dealing with their own transitions or changes.

• Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Friendship, Seasons
  • Synopsis: Sophie chooses a squash at the market, but instead of letting her mother cook it, she names it Bernice and makes it her friend, only to realize that Bernice won’t last forever.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of attachment, loss, and renewal, which are complex emotional concepts for toddlers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a touching and gently humorous story that teaches about the lifecycle of plants and dealing with loss in a sensitive manner.
  • Perfect for: Empathetic children who form deep bonds with their favorite things and need to learn about letting go and growth.

• Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Educational
  • Synopsis: This book traces the impact of a single acorn on an entire ecosystem, showing how something small can be integral to the larger web of life.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces ecological concepts and the interconnectedness of nature, which are advanced topics for preschoolers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It highlights the importance of every part of an ecosystem in an accessible way, fostering respect and understanding for nature.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and any child interested in learning how nature's cycles connect.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

As the leaves start to turn and the air gets crisp, it's the perfect time to snuggle up with your little one and a good book. Reading together not only creates lasting memories but also helps develop essential reading habits. Here are some fun and engaging exercises to try with your 3-year-old this fall:

• Picture Walk
  • What it is: Browse through a book's pictures before reading to predict the story.
  • How it helps: Enhances imagination and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask questions about the pictures to make guesses about the story.

• Echo Reading
  • What it is: You read a sentence and then your child repeats it.
  • How it helps: Improves word recognition and fluency.
  • Tips: Use expressions and point to words as you read them.

• Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Read books with rhymes or make up rhymes together.
  • How it helps: Develops phonological awareness, an essential skill for learning to read.
  • Tips: Emphasize the rhyming words and pause to let your child fill in the rhyme.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Boosts comprehension and recall.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes for more fun and engagement.

• Book-Based Crafts
  • What it is: Create crafts based on themes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Extends interaction with the book and enhances understanding.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials simple and safe for small hands.

These activities are not just fun but are stepping stones to building a lifelong love for reading. This fall, make the most of your reading time by incorporating these exercises, and watch your little one's imagination and reading skills bloom!