A selection of recommended picture books for 4-year-olds to enjoy in autumn and feel the wonders of nature

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.

You can feel the arrival of autumn in the air now.

Four-year-olds are gradually becoming able to express their own thoughts, and this is also a time when they are deeply drawn into the world of picture books.

Picture books that feature familiar autumn nature—fallen leaves, nuts, and insects—greatly expand children’s curiosity and imagination.

Here, we introduce picture books that will resonate richly in children’s hearts during the fall.

We hope this guide helps you discover a favorite, and that you enjoy the world of picture books together with your children!

Autumn Fun for 4-Year-Olds! A Special Selection of Picture Books to Enjoy Nature (31–40)

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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Forest Piano

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This charming picture book tells a heartwarming story: when a little girl starts playing a tree stump as if it were a piano, the forest animals gather and it turns into a concert.

It’s adorable how the animals follow her lead, imagining leaves and flowers as instruments and playing along.

What kind of music might unfold amid the beautiful autumn scenery? We’d love for children to join the performance with their imaginations.

It’s a wonderful book that’s perfect for this season often called the “autumn of the arts.”

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Tonight, Professor Wildcat is moon-viewing.

http://www.amazon.co.jp

The story features Dr.

Wildcat, a slightly clumsy, food-loving forest doctor.

He completely forgets that he’s supposed to go to the moon-viewing party and hurriedly heads to the venue with the young squirrels.

They take a shortcut the squirrels told him about, but the footing is shaky and it’s dark, so one mishap after another occurs.

It’s a picture book you can enjoy with a bit of suspense as you wonder whether Dr.

Wildcat will make it to the venue on time.

It’s perfect for reading aloud on the night of the moon-viewing, too.

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