Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
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SALT LAKE CITY — Homemade soup, long cardigans and pumpkin-flavored everything is on the horizon as autumn arrives in the Beehive State.
It's that time of year where a chill bite in the air is welcome after a long, hot summer. The time when the hope of cozy, warm holiday memories are just out of reach and everything seems a bit more enjoyable in the mild weather.
As life slows down after the busyness of summer, what could be more relaxing than scooping your children onto your lap and reading book after autumn-themed book? Brew a pot of cider on the stove, and you've got yourself a perfect afternoon.
If you're in the mood for such a fall day, add these nine reads to your library holds, and you won't regret it.
I especially enjoyed No. 6 on this list, "Bella's Fall Coat," by Lynn Plourde. It's nostalgic and sweet with a touch of humor, and if you're anything like me, it'll make you miss your grandma.
'The Little Yellow Leaf' by Carin Berger
The period of time between fully-bloomed leafy green trees and their naked winter counterparts is so brief that so many of us set aside time in our busy schedules to go on fall leaf drives and walks. We marvel at the vibrant reds and yellows and feel sad when the last of them fall to the ground. But have you ever considered how the leaves feel as they are getting ready to fall? In this creative children's book, we learn what it's like to be a little yellow leaf who is not ready to fall for the winter. We also learn that sometimes it takes a friend to be brave enough to face the inevitable.
'Flora's Very Windy Day' by Jeanne Birdsall
There's something satisfying about reading about a windy day without actually having to be outside in it. It's the windiest of days in Flora's neighborhood, and after her mother gets fed up with Flora's whining, she sends her outside, along with her little brother Crispin. Flora's not too worried about being blown away in the wind on account of her super special, heavy duty red boots. But Crispin's purple boots do little more than keep his feet dry. Flora doesn't think she'll mind if her pesky little brother blows away, but when the threatening wind does just that, she leaves her boots behind to save her brother and go on a one-of-a-kind adventure.
'Leaves' by David Ezra Stein
Falling leaves are commonplace for those of us who have lived among nature for awhile, but in this story, it's a baby bear's first fall, and he is concerned about the leaves falling. Can he stick them back on? When he can't, he finds a new purpose for them. This is a fun book reflecting the cycle of nature.
'Fall is Not Easy' by Marty Kelley
In the same vein as "The Little Yellow Leaf," this autumntime tale is told from the perspective of a tree. The tree explains how winter, spring and summer are easy, but the change that comes with fall is not. Instead of the tree's leaves turning the traditional red, gold and brown, this particular tree's leaves like to change into all sorts of strange colors and collages. The illustrations in this book are the highlight, and they are fun for all ages.
'Hocus Pocus, It's Fall' by Anne Sibley O'Brien
This book is like a nature walk in book form. From watching squirrels store their food for winter to baking an apple pie and picking and carving pumpkins, this story reminds us of the festive and the practical parts of autumn. The neatest part of "Hocus Pocus, It's Fall" is that every second page opens into a trifold so the pictures really come to life.
'Bella's Fall Coat' by Lynn Plourde
This book is a love letter to that ratty old sweatshirt, pair of pajamas, shoes, etc. that you can't seem to throw away, because in spite of its ill-fitting or socially unacceptable appearance, it's just so darn comfy. Bella adores the coat her grandmother made for her, but Bella is growing and her coat is getting small. Her grandmother insists she needs a new coat for the impending winter, but Bella wears her coat out until it rips and she has to turn it over to her grandma's mending hand. Instead of mending her old coat, her grandmother makes her a new one that is quickly just as beloved.
'Pumpkin Soup' by Helen Cooper
In their old, white cabin — the one with pumpkins in the garden —Duck, Squirrel and Cat have a nightly routine of making pumpkin soup, and they each have their own specific job. But Duck is tired of adding the salt to the soup and wants to stir instead! When he tries to switch things up, Cat and Squirrel get angry and Duck runs away. In the Duck's absence, Squirrel and Cat learn a valuable lesson about friendship and adaptability. Though "Pumpkin Soup" may end with a little chaos, the three are together again, and that's what matters.
'Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn' by Kenard Pak
A little girl observes the time of year when the last pieces of summer turn to fall. In this beautifully-illustrated book, we see many different parts of nature and how they change as the season does. This is a soothing bedtime story.
'The Autumn Visitors' by Karel Hayes
It's Columbus Day weekend, and a family is visiting a cottage in the woods, where the leaves are changing, a carnival is taking place and the fireplace is warm. The weekend flies by too quickly, and the family has to go home. But the cottage doesn't stay empty. A family of bears moves in next, and they have no plans of leaving anytime soon. This book gives readers the feel of fall, during which everyone can hopefully find something they enjoy.
