Autumn Picture Books That 3-Year-Olds Will Love! A Recommended Collection Perfect for Read-Alouds

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

When we think of autumn, we think of reading season.

It’s the perfect time to enjoy picture books, too.

Three-year-olds eagerly follow the autumn worlds in picture books—with sparkling eyes—taking in the brightly colored leaves, the bountiful fruits, and moon-viewing scenes.

Here, we’re introducing picture books about autumn that you’ll want to enjoy together with three-year-olds.

We’ve picked titles that nurture imagination and help children feel the changing seasons through autumn’s nature and traditions.

Explore the world of autumn through picture books with your children!

Autumn Picture Books That 3-Year-Olds Will Love! A Recommended Read-Aloud Collection (21–30)

wash the dishes

http://www.amazon.co.jp

During the moon-viewing season, the moon sparkles and looks so beautiful, doesn’t it? In this picture book, the foxes wash the moon to make it shine even more.

The very idea of washing the moon is amusing—how on earth do they do it? You’ll be curious to find out.

I hope you’ll also pay attention to the moon’s beauty once it’s all cleaned.

It’s a highly recommended book that lets you enjoy a uniquely whimsical picture-book story while also sparking interest in the moon-viewing tradition.

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Professor Nekomaru’s Moon Viewing

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a story about Nekomaru-sensei, a tabby cat who works at a human kindergarten, and a child named Kou-chan having a mysterious experience.

Nekomaru-sensei was making dumplings for the moon-viewing festival.

When a dumpling was about to fall and he caught it in his mouth, his body floated up, and he and Kou-chan, who was with him, were whisked away to an unknown place.

What will happen to the two of them…? With the whimsical premise of a teacher who’s a cat and the delightful “wouldn’t it be fun if this happened?” daydreams of a child, it’s a thrilling story that feels like imagination come to life.

Be sure to read it on the night of the moon-viewing and enjoy the adventure together with them!

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Mel the Witch and the Shining Soup

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The Halloween picture book “Mel the Witch and the Shining Soup” tells the story of Mel the witch meeting a boy and embarking on a mysterious adventure.

Although Mel is a witch, she isn’t very good at magic.

She tries to cheer up a downcast boy by casting a spell, but, just as you might expect, it goes terribly wrong.

But thanks to that mishap, a mysterious door is opened.

So, what kind of adventure will Mel and the boy begin? With its enchanting elements like magic and witches, plus the kind of adventure kids love, this is surely a delightful read.

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The Waste-Not Grandma Goes to the Forest

http://www.amazon.co.jp

How about reading a picture book that lets you feel the change of seasons this autumn reading season? In this work, the Mottainai Grandma teaches all sorts of nature play while saying “what a waste.” The seasons featured are spring and autumn.

In spring, there are flower crowns made from white clover, hunts for four-leaf clovers, and make-believe using wildflowers.

In autumn, children look at fallen leaves and guess which trees they came from, and have fun with a fallen-leaf “blanket.” As children grow, they tend to spend more time on activities like videos and games, but we hope they won’t forget to savor the joys of nature as well.

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The Forest Gloves

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Here’s a picture book that’s perfect for autumn, when leaves turn red and yellow.

It tells the story of a single yellow leaf and some animals.

A beautiful yellow leaf has fallen on a forest path.

Shaped almost like a glove, it draws passing animals to place their hands on it and compare sizes.

You’ll read with excitement, wondering which animal will come next.

Children will surely try placing their own hands on it, too.

Be sure to enjoy the delicate illustrations as well.

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The Mischief Squad’s Acorn Festival

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is an autumn story about the Mischief Squad, who always stumble into mysterious happenings.

The three members were gathering acorns in the forest when a huge acorn suddenly rolled in from somewhere.

As they chased after it, they heard a voice say, “The Acorn Festival is about to begin.” The Acorn Festival is a celebration where acorn children become adults.

While savoring the autumn feel of the forest scenery, this book lets you fully enjoy an adventure in a world of fantasy.

Why not have your children join the Mischief Squad and take part in the Acorn Festival together?

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Goma and Kinako’s Sweet Potato Digging

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This picture book, portraying Goma and Kinako—the best-friend Shiba Inus—heading out to dig sweet potatoes, is a perfect autumn read.

Watching the two pack their backpacks with a water bottle, plastic bags for the potatoes, and work gloves so their hands won’t hurt will make kids want to get ready along with them.

On the big day, when they say, “We won’t lose!” and challenge each other to a potato-digging contest, children might be inspired to dig their hardest to find the biggest potato of all.

Read the book to find out what kind of potatoes they unearth.

By the end, you’ll definitely be craving roasted sweet potatoes!

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