Lone Star Nannies Fall Reading List

Fall Reading List

Hello, from Lone Star Nannies!

Welcome to our library, a place where nannies and parents can be inspired with ideas to engage even the most hesitant readers! In this post, we’ve compiled summaries of popular fall-themed children’s books. Filled with humor and life lessons, we think these books will be a big hit…but don’t take it from us! Load up the kids and make a trip to your local library for an afternoon outing and some of the titles listed below. Along with brief descriptions, we’ve included a few activities that connect the stories to everyday life. At Lone Star Nannies, we love making connections and hope the ideas below help you write the greatest story your kids will ever read—the story of your family.

The Scarecrow

Beth Ferry

The Scarecrow is the most endearing book on the list. Written in rhyme, it tells the story of a lonely scarecrow who shelters a baby crow. The unlikely pair become friends and, as the book progresses, their friendship turns into a sweet example of the circle of life. Eventually, the baby crow returns fully grown and the scarecrow shelters a nest full of eggs. If you’re looking for a quick read to quiet your little ones before nap time, this book is a great option. You’ll fall asleep grateful for the gift of friendship and dream about miles of corn fields!

The Very Last Leaf

Stef Wade

In The Very Last Leaf, Lance Cottonwood is at the top of his class. He excels at every new challenge in leaf school, until it’s time to face his fears and fall to the ground! Brush your teeth, throw on some pajamas, and find out what happens when Lance realizes he’s the last leaf. Filled with great lessons for kids, this book affirms working hard and trying new things, even if they seem scary.  You’ll fall in love with the characters (pun intended) and learn words like “photosynthesis” along the way!

The Leaf Thief

Alice Hemming

As we go through life, we make sense of the world based on what we know. This is exactly what happens to Squirrel when he wakes up one morning and begins counting the leaves in the tree where he lives. Red, yellow, orange…wait a minute, one is missing! The rest of the book takes Squirrel through the forest on a hunt for his missing leaf, and the thief who stole it. Using humor and a fun story line, Alice Hemming uses this popular children’s book to teach fun facts about the change of seasons.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves

Lucille Colandro

You’ve probably heard about the old lady who swallowed a fly, but have you heard what happened when she swallowed some leaves? Written in the same rhythmic verses you loved as a child, the poor old lady didn’t learn her lesson the first time. This time, she swallows a long list of fall items until…achoo! Might want to keep some tissues by the bed just in case kids start to read along with you!=

ACTIVITY

Take a break from reading and go for a leaf walk! There are lots of free guides to identify leaves online, but here is one example from Playful Learning.

Too Many Pumpkins

Linda White

Originally published in 1996, this heartwarming story about a woman who hates pumpkins takes an interesting turn when a giant pumpkin falls off a truck and ends up all over her yard. In anger, Rebecca Estelle does her best to cover the pumpkin remains with dirt, only to discover weeks later that all of the seeds took root and she now has a yard full of the loathed squash! This book has been a classic in classrooms across the country because of its many life lessons. Kids love hearing Rebecca’s story unfold, and you will, too!

ACTIVITY

Check out our last blog post for pumpkin-themed craft ideas!

This Moose Belongs to Me

Oliver Jeffers

When Wilfred finds a moose in the woods, he claims the giant woodland creature as his own and names him Marcel. Throughout the rest of the story, Wilfred tries to impose a number of rules for his pet and discovers that he’s not the only one who named and claimed the moose. Lighthearted and easy to read, you may be asked to read this story more than once! Oliver Jeffer’s books are great to introduce before bed. They encourage curiosity, spark imagination, and use humor. If you enjoy this book, you can find others by the same author at your local library.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Michael Wayne Rosen

If you’re a millennial parent, you probably heard the song “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” at some point in your childhood. The book was actually written by a British author in the late 1980’s and made its way to the United States. Join the family in the story as they decide to go look for a bear. Throughout the book, they cross a river, a snowstorm, and many other obstacles while chanting, “We’re going on a bear hunt, we’re going to catch a big one. What a beautiful day! We’re not scared.” Amidst all the hand motions and sound effects, the story also comes with a great lesson. Each time they encounter an obstacle, there’s only one solution - they have to go through it. The only downside to this classic story is that it will get stuck in your head!

ACTIVITY

Hide a stuffed bear or woodland animal in your house and have your kids look for it while chanting the words in the story

Cranberry Thanksgiving

Harry & Wende Devlin

We’ve all heard it said, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” In this holiday mystery, Maggie’s grandmother begrudgingly allows her granddaughter to invite Mr. Whiskers into their home for Thanksgiving. Known for her famous cranberry bread, Grandmother keeps her prized recipe hidden…until one of her Thanksgiving guests shows up with an ulterior motive and Mr. Whiskers saves the day! By the end of the story, Maggie’s grandmother rediscovers the importance of not judging others by their appearance, and everyone gets a generous portion of warm cranberry bread. The author includes Grandma’s recipe at the back of the book, so you can make it together! Check out this link for a preview.

Turkey Trouble

Wendi J Silvano

Most of us look forward to Thanksgiving…unless you’re a turkey! In Turkey Trouble, Turkey comes up with a series of disguises to keep himself off the dinner table. A great read for preschool and young elementary students, you’ll be surprised by the costume that ends up saving Turkey’s life! After reading the story, challenge your kids to come up with their own creative disguises and dress up a turkey using this template from JD’s Rockin’ Readers. It costs a small fee on Teachers Pay Teachers.

‘Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

Dav Pilkey

When a class full of students go on a field trip to Farmer Mack Nuggett’s turkey farm, their lives (and the lives of their newfound turkey friends) will never be the same! Find out what happens when Ollie, Stanley, Larry, Moe, Wally, Beaver, Shemp, and Groucho go missing on the night before Thanksgiving…and why all the students are waddling! If you love the nostalgia of rhyme in ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, you’ll make this picture book a Thanksgiving tradition.

With care,

Lone Star Nannies