Autumn is here!

With rain, fog, winds, and smoke keeping kids inside this time of year, fall is the perfect time to cuddle up with a great picture book. These silly, sweet, and spooky books will captivate your little ones throughout the season.

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

Gorgeous colorful illustrations are the backdrop for this cheerful story about a little girl noticing seasonal changes in nature. Pair this book with a walk outside to observe what’s changing in your neighborhood.

 

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams, illustrated by Megan Lloyd

This rhythmic picture book will have kids chanting along as a brave old lady encounters some spooky and surprising items on an evening walk through the woods. Be ready for a twist ending!

Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Peter Brown

Kids will giggle at a little bunny’s reaction to being haunted by carrots in this Caldecott Honor-winning picture book. Adults will enjoy the references to Hitchcock films and The Twilight Zone. Don’t miss the sequels, Creepy Pair of Underwear! and Creepy Crayon!

Pumpkin Pumpkin by Jeanne Titherington

A little boy and his flock of farm animals take care of a pumpkin patch in this simple story with soft colored-pencil illustrations. This is the perfect book to pair with a pumpkin-themed art project.

Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems

You can’t go wrong with picture book genius Mo Willems. Kids who like the gentler side of Halloween will find a friend in little Leonardo, a monster who’s too sweet to scare anyone. The followup, Sam the Most Scary-Kid in the Whole World, is funny, too.

Boogie Knights by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Mark Siegel

Werewolves, banshees, goblins, and ghosts have a party in an old castle, waking up a group of knights with silly names like Sir Prize. With tons of puns and funny words, this book is a great read-aloud.