16 fall books to read with your toddler

I think we all know how amazing fall is...the blogosphere is just filled with posts dedicated to just how great and cozy the season is. As far back as I can remember I've loved the anticipation that comes with ushering in each new season and getting excited for all the special activities that come along with it. I want to encourage that same magical excitement in my kids, and aside from decorating, one of the best ways to do so is to read seasonal themed books. 

Riggs loves to read, so this is an easy one for us. We have way too many books, so we usually check out most of the seasonal books from the library. Of course we do own a few of our very favorites, but I make it a habit to put away all seasonal books once the season has passed so they're extra special each year when we pull them out. 

I thought I'd share our top sixteen favorite books about autumn and all the fun things to do during this amazing season. I'm not really including any halloween-specific books in this list, because a lot of them are still a little scary for Riggs. We do have the Little Critter halloween book but that's really it. Some of the books I've included do mention halloween briefly, and I prefer that to books just about witches and gouls, ect. 

our fall favorites: 16 books to read with your toddler this autumn

 1. Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell: this is a short little story that describes a visit to a local farm to pick out apples and a pumpkin. It also covers carving a jack-o-lantern and dressing up for halloween. 

 2. Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur: An acrostic poem for each letter tracks the passage from end of summer to winter. This book has beautiful illustrations and is a good way to incorporate poetry into your child's literary 'diet'.

 3. Bear Has a Story to Tell by Phillip C. Stead: This is a sweet story about animals getting ready for winter. I'm a sucker for beautiful illustrations and this one is full of them!

 4. By the Light of the Harvest Moon by Harriet Ziefert: After the last harvest is over a magical fall wind stirs up the leaves and the leaf people arrive to celebrate under the light of the harvest moon. 

 5. Duck and Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills: Riggs is obsessed with Duck and Goose so this was a must for us. It's another cute Duck and Goose story, this time about searching for a pumpkin. 

 6. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson: This is a sweet story about Fletcher, who learns that it's ok for the leaves to fall and for winter to come. 

 7. From Seed to Pumpkin by Wendy Pfeffer: I love these "let's read and find out science" books and this is another great one, following the life cycle of a pumpkin. 

 8. Hello, Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher: Another story about what happens under the light of the harvest moon. Riggs loves any story about the moon so this is one of his favorites. 

 9. Mouse's First Fall by Lauren Thompson: We have this in the board book version and it's a sweet little story about Mouse learning about fall. 

10. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell: Owls, who doesn't love owls? These baby owls are waiting for their mama to come home from hunting for them.  

11. The Busy Little Squirrrel by Nancy Tafuri: Squirrel is getting ready for winter and doesn't have time to play with his friends. This is a cute one and especially good for us because we have our own busy little squirrel that Riggs loves to watch out in our little forrest. 

 12. The Fall Festival by Mercer Mayer: No booklist of ours would be complete without a Little Critter book. Riggs just loves Little Critter and I love the simple way they're all written and the cute illustrations.

 13. Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White: This is a great story about learning to make the best out of what life gives you. And it's about pumpkins, which we are a little obsessed with right now.

 14. We Gather Together by Wendy Pfeffer: I love this book, it's a great way to introduce a variety of cultural traditions relating to harvest time to even the youngest kids. 

15. We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger: Sound familiar? It should. If you love 'We're Going on a Bear Hunt' you'll love this one. Riggs loves books like this that are easy for him to memorize and 'read' to himself.  

16. Woody, Hazel and Little Pip by Elsa Beskow: I love this book. Two of the cutest little acorn children you ever read have quite the adventure after they are blown away by a brisk autumn wind. This might be a little too much for younger toddler, but Riggs loves this one and listens intently to the entire story.