Perfect for the reading season of autumn! Recommended picture books that will captivate elementary school children
Acorns are falling, and a pleasant breeze is blowing.
The season that makes our hearts race with the sights of autumn has arrived.
How about enjoying the changing season with elementary school children through picture books about autumn nature, moon viewing, and fallen leaves? Here, we introduce picture books perfect for both reading season and art season, where you can feel the autumn scenery through delicate illustrations and heartwarming stories.
These picture books are also ideal for read-aloud time, letting you relax and enjoy the beauty of autumn nature.
- Picture books perfect for spring that are recommended for elementary school children. Picture books that make them look forward to going to elementary school.
- Picture Books to Read in Winter: A Collection of Story Ideas That Resonate with Elementary School Children
- [Elementary School] Picture Books and Children’s Books to Read in February
- Collection of indoor play ideas for September! Autumn recreational activities that will captivate children
- September Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts! A Fun Autumn Quiz for Kids
- Recommended activities and recreational games for November: A collection of ideas to enjoy autumn
- Get kids excited at the autumn food party! Trivia quiz and fun facts
- [Indoor Activities] A Collection of Craft Ideas Recommended for Elementary School Students
- In a season where beauty and poignancy intertwine! Exquisite quotes that color the autumn
- Enjoy the sights of autumn using just scissors! A collection of easy paper-cutting ideas
- October origami kids will love! Easy ideas from Halloween to autumn flavors
- Recommended outdoor games and recreational activities for lower elementary school children
- Recommended in March! A collection of surprising, little-known trivia that elementary school students will want to share
Perfect for autumn reading! Recommended picture books that elementary school kids will love (1–10)
Grandma Baba’s Roast Sweet Potato Contest
This is one book from the “Baba Baa-chan” series, a picture book perfect for autumn with a roasted sweet potatoes theme.
Normally you’d roast sweet potatoes, of course, but the kids end up roasting everything—potatoes, mandarins, even snacks! What on earth will happen? Adults can’t help but feel a bit uneasy, but children’s free-spirited ideas can lead to unexpected discoveries, can’t they? As the weather turns colder, enjoy the fun of roasting treats—experience it through this picture book.
Magical Happy Halloween
Let me introduce a heartwarming picture book that captures the spirit of a Halloween festival: “Magical Happy Halloween.” The protagonist is a girl named Minori.
Minori makes a costume to wear on Halloween and joins the Halloween festival with her cousin Akito.
But Akito, who is shy, can’t bring himself to say “Trick or treat” in a loud voice.
Minori is the one who understands Akito’s feelings and helps him.
Depending on the reader’s age, you may find yourself empathizing with either Minori or Akito.
It all wraps up in a truly “Happy Halloween” ending, so be sure to give it a read!
We’re going to roast sweet potatoes.
This book centers on the autumn theme of baked sweet potatoes, featuring a variety of animals that live in the forest.
At the squirrel’s call, everyone—boar, rabbit, bear, and more—gathers, and they decide to make baked sweet potatoes using fallen leaves.
The potatoes buried under the colorful leaves look absolutely delicious.
The animals seem thoroughly satisfied with the freshly baked treats.
But the story doesn’t end there.
What comes next is—believe it or not—a fart contest! It’s a turn of events sure to get kids excited.
Perfect for fall reading! Recommended picture books that elementary schoolers will love (11–20)
Red leaves, yellow leaves.
A picture book that lets you enjoy the beautiful colors of autumn leaves, Red Leaves, Yellow Leaves.
It’s the story of a girl who loves sugar maples and raises a maple tree she finds at a garden center.
It shows not only the splendor of maples in autumn, but also ways to enjoy them through all four seasons, making you feel as if you’re experiencing the year alongside them.
Some pages are created with collage, giving a sense of realism—as if the real thing were right in front of you.
It might even make kids want to reach out and touch it!
Ghost Apple
The protagonist of “The Ghost Apple” is Walter, who lives in poverty.
Walter owned a single apple tree, but it had never borne fruit.
So he prayed for it to bear fruit.
His wish was granted and the tree did bear fruit—but the apple grew to an enormous size, turning into a ghostly giant apple.
Even when he tried to sell it, no one would buy it, and the king ordered him to offer it as a gift to a dragon…
What will become of Walter and the apple? It’s a fun story full of twists and turns that will sweep readers along—perfect for autumn.
Acorns and the Wildcat
Donguri and the Wildcat is a fairy tale included in Kenji Miyazawa’s short story collection The Restaurant of Many Orders.
After a postcard arrives, the protagonist, Ichirō, heads to the Wildcat Court.
There he finds golden acorns squabbling over who is the best… It’s the kind of premise that instantly draws children in, isn’t it? And it’s not just the story—Seizō Tashima’s dynamic illustrations are a highlight as well.
In the scene where the wildcat opens its mouth wide, you can’t help but wonder if someone’s about to be eaten—the impact is tremendous.
It’s a book you’ll want to read at least once in autumn: humorous on the surface, yet as you read on, you begin to notice the profound message beneath.
My very best friend in the forest
This story features Dormouse-kun, who loves big things, and Mr.
Bear, who loves small things.
They become fast friends as soon as they meet and spend their time eating cake together and growing seedlings.
From the forest scenery shifting from fresh green to autumn colors, to the delicious-looking cakes and the insects that appear—everything is depicted with delicate detail, making this a book full of highlights.
There are a few tense moments in the story, but rest assured it ends happily.
It’s a truly lovely picture book that teaches the importance of accepting each other’s differences and embracing one another just as we are.