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!

Picture books that 4-year-olds can enjoy in autumn! A recommended collection that lets them feel nature (41–50)

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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Pumpkin Moonshine

http://www.amazon.co.jp

This is a work by Tasha Tudor, drawn with a delicate touch.

The story features a girl named Sylvie Ann.

On Halloween, Ann decides to make a jack-o’-lantern.

She finds a big pumpkin in the field on the hill, harvests it, carries it home, and carves it.

The picture book has a gentle atmosphere throughout, and you’ll feel a sense of warmth after finishing it.

Halloween often has the image of a dazzling celebration, but perhaps it’s lovely to enjoy a quiet story like this once in a while.

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Taro Gomi: A Picture Book of the Seasons — Autumn Has Many Colors

http://www.amazon.co.jp

Red, yellow, orange…

This picture book is a wonderful volume that lets you enjoy the colors of autumn and leads naturally into play.

Children love toys, of course, but I believe they also love playing in nature.

Reading this book will surely introduce them to a variety of autumn nature activities and help them discover their own ways to have fun.

Savor the autumnal hues and see how many delightful autumn details you can find packed into the illustrations.

Then head out for a walk and experience the real autumn with all five senses.

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In conclusion

Autumn read-aloud time is a wonderful moment to immerse yourself in the world of picture books with four-year-olds.

As leaves dance in the air and stories depict creatures welcoming the season of harvest, children’s eyes brim with curiosity.

Through these tales, rich imagination flourishes—may you create many precious memories shared between children and adults through picture books.