10+ Best Fall Books for 4-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

As the leaves start to change colors and the air gets a little crisper, it's the perfect time to refresh your little one's reading list with some cozy autumn-themed stories. Our roundup of Fall Books for 4-Year-Olds is packed with charming picks that are just right for preschoolers. Whether you're cuddling up for storytime or looking for engaging reads that celebrate the season, keep reading to discover our favorite Fall Books for 4-Year-Olds that are sure to captivate and entertain.

Fun Fall Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Adventure
  • Synopsis: Follow the journey of the Leaf Man as he drifts from place to place, illustrated with actual leaf collages.
  • Why we recommend this book: It encourages creativity and an appreciation for nature, using engaging visuals made from real leaves.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who love art 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 worries as his favorite tree begins losing its leaves, but soon discovers the beauty of the changing seasons.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a gentle introduction to the concept of change and the cycle of the seasons, presented in a comforting story.
  • Perfect for: Children who are curious about nature and need reassurance about change.

• Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell, illustrated by Lizzy Rockwell
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasonal, Family
  • Synopsis: A young girl spends a crisp fall day picking apples and searching for the perfect pumpkin with her family.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the essence of fall activities and traditions, fostering family bonding through shared seasonal experiences.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy family outings and seasonal traditions 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 unlikely friendship between a scarecrow and a baby crow, showcasing themes of kindness and love.
  • Why we recommend this book: It teaches empathy and the value of unexpected friendships through beautifully illustrated pages.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy heartwarming stories and learning about relationships.

• Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Seasons
  • Synopsis: A young girl takes a walk through her town and the surrounding countryside, observing the signs of the seasonal transition from summer to autumn.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a beautifully illustrated exploration of the environment that encourages observation and appreciation of the small changes that herald a new season.
  • Perfect for: Young explorers eager to understand and observe the natural world around them.

• Sophie’s Squash by Pat Zietlow Miller, illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family, Humor
  • Synopsis: Sophie chooses a squash at the farmer’s market, but instead of letting her mother cook it, she names it Bernice and makes it her friend.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and endearing story that celebrates the creativity and uniqueness of children.
  • Perfect for: Kids with vivid imaginations and a love for quirky stories.

Educational Fall Books for 4-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 embark on a fun and energizing leaf hunt through various landscapes, collecting different kinds of leaves along the way.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Nature exploration, identification of different leaf types, teamwork
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines physical activity with learning, making it a dynamic way for kids to explore nature and learn about different trees and leaves.
  • Perfect for: Energetic youngsters who enjoy outdoor adventures and nature scavenger hunts.

• Awesome Autumn by Bruce Goldstone
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Educational, Seasonal
  • Synopsis: This book is a colorful exploration of all things autumn, from the science behind why leaves change color to the various animals preparing for winter.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Seasonal changes, scientific reasoning, animal behavior
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s packed with fascinating facts and vibrant photos that will captivate curious minds and teach them about the changes that occur in nature during fall.
  • Perfect for: Curious kids who love science and learning about the natural world.

• By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert, illustrated by Mark Jones
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Fantasy, Seasonal
  • Synopsis: As the harvest moon shines down, the autumn leaves turn into playful Leaf Men who celebrate the season with a festive nighttime gathering.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Imagination, understanding of seasonal traditions, creativity
  • Why we recommend this book: It introduces children to the concept of harvest and seasonal cycles through a whimsical, beautifully illustrated story.
  • Perfect for: Children who delight in fantasy and magical adventures.

• Yellow Time by Lauren Stringer
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Nature, Seasons
  • Synopsis: The story captures the magical time when autumn leaves turn yellow and create a vibrant, golden landscape before falling.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Observation skills, color recognition, understanding of seasonal changes
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a lyrical celebration of the season that highlights the beauty and transient nature of fall.
  • Perfect for: Young artists and nature lovers who appreciate the beauty of changing seasons.

• Counting on Fall by Lizann Flatt, illustrated by Ashley Barron
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Math, Nature
  • Synopsis: As animals and plants prepare for winter, young readers will learn math concepts through engaging, nature-themed counting and number puzzles.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Math skills like counting and basic arithmetic, understanding of animal behavior in autumn
  • Why we recommend this book: It makes learning math fun and relevant by integrating it with seasonal changes and animal activities.
  • Perfect for: Kids who enjoy math or need a creative approach to learning numbers and counting.

Challenging Fall Books for 4-Year-Olds

• Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
  • Genre(s): Poetry, Nature
  • Synopsis: This collection of poems celebrates the quirks and delights of autumn, from the chill in the air to the crunch of leaves underfoot.
  • Why this book is challenging: The poetic language and play on words in "Autumnblings" introduces young readers to the beauty and complexity of poetry.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s perfect for fostering an early love and appreciation for poetry while celebrating the season.
  • Perfect for: Young poets and creative thinkers who are intrigued by the rhythm and rhymes of poetry.

• The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasons
  • Synopsis: A single yellow leaf isn’t quite ready to leave its tree, even as autumn progresses and all other leaves have fallen.
  • Why this book is challenging: The subtle metaphor of change and bravery can provoke deeper thought and discussion among young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: It beautifully addresses themes of resistance to change and finding courage, which are both relevant and empowering for young minds.
  • Perfect for: Thoughtful kids who might be apprehensive about transitions or new beginnings.

• Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer and Adam Schaefer, illustrated by Frann Preston-Gannon
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Environmental Science
  • Synopsis: This book explores the ecosystems connected to a single acorn, from the tree it grows into, to the creatures it supports.
  • Why this book is challenging: It introduces complex ecological concepts in a simple, accessible way, challenging young readers to think about how interconnected our world is.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a wonderful introduction to environmental science and helps kids understand the importance of every element of nature.
  • Perfect for: Young environmentalists and nature lovers keen on understanding how ecosystems work.

• Maple by Lori Nichols
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Family, Nature
  • Synopsis: Maple is a little girl who was named after a tree. As she grows, she forms a special bond with her namesake maple tree, especially when she becomes a big sister.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with themes of growth, change, and sibling relationships, providing a platform for advanced emotional development and empathy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a tender story of family bonds and changing seasons, perfect for children who are becoming older siblings.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are navigating the joys and challenges of adding a new family member.

• Wonderfall by Michael Hall
  • Genre(s): Picture Book, Seasons, Poetry
  • Synopsis: Following the life of a single tree through the changing seasons, this book combines the words "wonderful" and "fall" to explore the many events that happen leading up to winter.
  • Why this book is challenging: The play on words and visual storytelling in "Wonderfall" encourage both linguistic and visual literacy.
  • Why we recommend this book: It’s a visually stunning book that celebrates seasonal changes and encourages an appreciation for the natural world.
  • Perfect for: Visual learners and young readers who enjoy seeing the world in unique and artistic ways.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! With the cozy fall season upon us, it's the perfect time to curl up with your little ones and some delightful books that celebrate the charm of autumn. Not only is reading together a great bonding activity, but it also helps develop crucial reading habits early on. Here are some fun and engaging exercises to enhance your 4-year-old's reading experience this fall:

• Read and Rhyme Time
  • What it is: Pick books with rhymes and read them aloud together.
  • How it helps: Enhances phonemic awareness and helps in recognizing sound patterns.
  • Tips: Emphasize the rhyming words and pause to let your child guess the next rhyme.

• Picture Walks Before Reading
  • What it is: Go through the book looking at pictures before reading the text.
  • How it helps: Builds narrative skills and sets a purpose for reading.
  • Tips: Ask your child to describe what they see and predict what the story might be about.

• Story Role Play
  • What it is: Act out the story with your child after reading.
  • How it helps: Improves comprehension and memory of the story.
  • Tips: Use simple props or costumes to make the role-play more fun and engaging.

• Book-Themed Craft Time
  • What it is: Create crafts based on themes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Reinforces themes and details from the book, enhancing retention.
  • Tips: Keep craft materials handy and relate the activity directly to the story elements.

• Daily Book Pick
  • What it is: Let your child pick a book to read together each day.
  • How it helps: Encourages decision-making and makes reading a daily habit.
  • Tips: Create a special reading space or 'book nook' to make this daily activity special.

These activities not only make reading fun but also instill a love for books in young children. By integrating these simple exercises into your reading routine, you're setting the stage for a lifetime of reading enjoyment and learning. So grab some books this fall and watch your little one grow into a budding reader!