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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.

Perfect for the reading season! Recommended picture books (21–30) that elementary school kids will love

Sunny With a Chance of Pork (literal: Clear, occasionally pig)Shirō Yadama

The protagonist, Noriyasu, wrote in his diary every day.

One day, after his mother happened to read it, he decided to start writing nonsense.

But the entries that were supposed to be nonsense began to come true! A world everyone has imagined at least once—just thinking of it actually happening is thrilling, isn’t it? Published in 1980, this work has become a long-selling title among children’s books and is so well-known that it was even adapted into an anime.

Please enjoy this beloved, fantastical story that continues to capture readers’ hearts.

Dwarfs of the ForestBy Elsa Beskow

A work by Elsa Beskow, a picture-book author who represents Sweden.

In the book, the wintertime lives of the gnomes who live in the forest are depicted.

The approach is very unique: on every spread, the text is on the left and the right side consists only of an illustration.

Thanks to this, the right-hand pages let you immerse yourself in the gnomes’ richly textured world without thinking about anything else.

Another highlight is how their way of life is portrayed both realistically and with plenty of humor.

There’s no doubt it will spark your imagination when you read it.

Perfect for autumn reading! Recommended picture books (31–40) that will captivate elementary school students

20 Delicious Autumns

A warm and delightful picture book about twenty animals living in an autumn forest who set out to search for “delicious autumn.” With each turn of the page—acorns, mushrooms, fruits—the colors and scents of autumn’s nature unfold.

The “tasty treats” the animals find by working together will bring a smile to your face.

With gentle language and charming illustrations, it’s easy for little ones to enjoy and a lovely way to sense the changing seasons.

It’s also perfect for reading with your child while chatting, “I’d like to taste this!” After reading, you’ll want to head outside to discover autumn yourself.

How many nice things are there on an autumn walk?

A picture book that lets you enjoy the autumn outdoors with gentle words and cute illustrations.

The colors and shapes of fallen leaves, acorns and chestnuts, tiny insects…

As you count the “little treasures” you find on your walk, you and your child can soak in the autumn scenery together.

With every page turn, it invites children to notice the changing seasons and the wonders of nature, creating warm, cozy moments to share.

It also naturally teaches numbers and the joy of observing, making it perfect for playful learning.

A highly recommended book that will make autumn outings even more fun.

fig carrot

This is a picture-book adaptation of the traditional children’s song “Ichijiku Ninjin.” Vegetables that appear in the song—such as figs, carrots, Japanese pepper (sansho), and shiitake mushrooms—are depicted in illustrations.

The artwork is so detailed that it feels like looking at real vegetables.

Some vegetables that children don’t often see also make an appearance, and this book may spark their interest in varieties they haven’t known before.

Since this nursery rhyme is a counting song, be sure to sing along as you enjoy the picture book.

The Great Sweet Potato Operation

A delightful picture book perfect for autumn.

Kids head out for a sweet potato dig, finding and unearthing potatoes with loads of excitement! But secretly, the potatoes have a “grand plan” of their own…

With child’s-eye humor and the adorable expressions of the potatoes, this story is sure to make kids smile.

After reading, you might even hear, “I want to eat sweet potatoes!” It’s perfect for read-aloud time and a story you can enjoy with children while feeling the season.

A heartwarming, highly recommended read.

fallen leaves

A book that warms the heart like a gentle autumn breeze.

Through a single leaf fluttering down from a tree, it quietly portrays the cycle of life, farewells, and new beginnings.

The illustrations are soft and warm, and even with few words, deep feelings come through.

It’s a picture book that gives children a chance to think about nature and life while sensing the changing seasons.

After reading, you’re left with a tender afterglow that makes you want to look up at the sky with your child or pick up fallen leaves together.

It also makes a wonderful gift for children.