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.
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Perfect for fall reading! Recommended picture books that elementary schoolers will love (11–20)
Rainbow and the Mysterious Picture
The protagonist is Rainbow the mouse.
Rainbow makes a living as a painter; he was never famous, but he happily spent his days painting.
One day, a mouse shows up asking to buy a picture Rainbow had painted on a door, saying he liked it.
From there the story unfolds, and Rainbow ends up entering a contest.
But when he goes to paint, he discovers he has only three colors of paint.
You can’t help but wonder what Rainbow will do.
While it carries the big theme of life, the cute illustrations and Rainbow’s completely undaunted attitude make this a heartwarming read.
Who Are You, Little Night Owl?Keiko Sena
One of the “I Don’t Wanna!” picture book series, Who Doesn’t Want to Go to Bed? has been a big hit with children for over 50 years! At 9 p.m.… who comes to visit children who are still awake? That’s right—the ghosts.
The ghosts take children who won’t sleep away to their world.
It’s a scary story, yet it somehow appears fascinating to kids, and before you know it, they absolutely love it.
Still, it’s best to have a guardian right beside them when reading.
It’s the perfect picture book to enjoy together as a parent and child.
Guri and GuraRieko Nakagawa
The Guri and Gura series consists of seven books, including Guri and Gura, Guri and Gura’s Picnic, and Guri and Gura’s Visitor, and is popular not only in Japan but around the world.
The protagonists are Guri and Gura, two friendly field mice.
They love cooking and eating.
Many different dishes appear in the stories, and the way they scamper through the fields and hills is utterly charming.
There are also books tied to seasonal events like Christmas and spring cleaning, so please enjoy them together as a family.
Robot KamiTaruhi Furuta
Published in 1970, Robot Kami is a recommended read for parents and children to enjoy together.
In the story, Takeshi and Yoko make a robot out of cardboard.
When they name it Kami, the robot actually answers back.
Then the mischievous, self-centered robot causes a big commotion! For children, that’s entertaining—and perhaps a way to learn about “things you mustn’t do.” Adults, too, can rediscover Kami’s charm and enjoy returning to a childlike state.
The Adventure in the ClosetFuruta Taruhi / Tabata Seiichi
Satoshi and Akira, who got into a fight over a toy, were scolded by their teacher and put into the closet.
What spread out before them there was a nighttime city…
and that’s where they met the eerie Old Mouse Lady.
Holding each other’s hands tightly, the two set off on an adventurous journey—come share in the excitement with them.
Being shut in a closet would be considered abuse today, but this picture book also portrays the struggles of adults grappling with discipline.
It’s a work that invites deep thought precisely because it’s read by parents and children together.
Please also enjoy the striking pencil-drawn illustrations.
Aesop’s FablesAesop / Yoko Imoto
Aesop’s Tales contains 15 stories, including classics everyone knows like “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” and “The North Wind and the Sun.” Each story is fun and entertaining, but they’re also full of wisdom and lessons that are useful in life.
Since every piece is short, they’re perfect for reading aloud before bedtime.
Many of the tales will feel nostalgic to adults as well, so you can enjoy them together.
Be sure to pay attention to the charming illustrations and the maxims as you read.
Perfect for the reading season! Recommended picture books (21–30) that elementary school kids will love
The Little PrinceSaint-Exupéry
The Little Prince is a story that captivates readers from children to adults after just one read, and it is one of the most beloved works in the world.
As the characters—the pilot who gave up being a painter, the Little Prince, the fox friend, and others—exchange words, they come to realize the meaning of life and many important truths.
Famous lines such as “All grown-ups were once children” and “What is essential is invisible to the eye” are well known.
When you finish reading, you will likely feel a touch of loneliness along with an irreplaceable bond.