Welcome Autumn!
The Autumn Equinox was Saturday, September 23rd, marking the first day of fall. The days are becoming shorter and cooler, and as we get deeper into fall and we change our clocks, most of our late afternoons and evenings are spent in darkness. This week I have selected books that celebrate the fall season.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn
Written and Illustrated by Kenard Pak
In this simple, beautifully illustrated book, a child goes out for a late summer/early autumn walk, greeting the natural world he encounters in the country and in town. The child greets trees, puddles, thunder, a range of critters, and the chill in the air, with a warm “Hello,” and in turn, they respond, telling the child a little about themselves and their transition from summer to autumn. The book is illustrated with double page spreads, capturing the changing of the seasons with layers of color and interesting details. There is much to explore in each of the illustrations – readers are likely to find new and interesting images with each read of this book, which features a diverse community of human characters to whom the child distributes flowers from a bouquet.
If You Find a Leaf
Written and Illustrated by Aimée Sicuro
A celebration of fall leaves, this uniquely illustrated book features actual leaves collaged within the illustrations. A young girl finds a leaf and imagines the many ways that she and her friends can put them to use. Using simple rhymes, the colorful images invite the reader into a fall adventure where leaves become cars, a hot air balloon, skirts, hats, a Halloween mask, and more. The interior front and back spreads include images of leaves from a wide range of trees. The end of the book provides instructions on “how to create your own (collage) world with fall leaves,” inspired by the illustrations. If you happen to purchase the book, remove the dust cover for a surprise!
Beyond the Books
Fall brings families back into more predicable routines as children return to school and settle into the new academic year. As the days grow shorter and cooler we are treated to the beauty of changing leaves and crispness in the air. While it is tempting to spend more time indoors (more on that shortly), this is a time of year when spending time outdoors can be great fun. Many communities sponsor hayrides and apple picking, and pumpkin patches abound. Spending some time outside enjoying the changing leaves can make for a wonderful opportunity to connect with our children while we all get some much-needed fresh air!
Bringing the outside in can open opportunities for further exploration as well. Here are some resources to learn more about the autumn equinox and the Science of Fall Colors. During an outing, collect some colorful fallen leaves with your child and use them for craft projects or to decorate your home for the season. As the weather gets cooler, baking, pumpkin carving, and snuggling up with hot chocolate and a good book are always a great way to spend some time together!