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 the reading season! Recommended picture books (21–30) that elementary school kids will love
Acorn, acorn
This is a story about a mother squirrel who goes out to gather acorns.
With a basket on her back, she heads into the forest and, as she finds acorns, she counts them and puts them in the basket.
There are a few mishaps along the way—she even takes a tumble—but she makes sure to bring back one acorn for each of her four children.
It’s a cute tale that lets you enjoy the changing autumn scenery while appreciating the season’s bounty.
A lovely episode might be born of this—like a child who went acorn gathering coming home with a little souvenir.
A Leaf Letter
A perfect picture book for autumn, when a colorful carpet of fallen leaves spreads across the ground.
The protagonist is Pon the raccoon dog, who works as a mountain mail carrier.
Every day, Pon diligently delivers letters written on leaves to the animals.
One day, Pon hears a mysterious voice…
The book comes with leaf-shaped letters you can actually write a message on and give to someone.
It also includes a leaf field guide, so you can fully enjoy the autumn season with this one volume.
Perfect for autumn reading! Recommended picture books (31–40) that will captivate elementary school students
Transforming Roasted Sweet Potato
A picture book packed with curious, delightful stories.
One day, the sweet potato protagonist realizes it can “transform” and changes into all sorts of things.
As children read along and watch the sweet potato’s adventures, they’ll think, “Changing is fun!” and enjoy it together with the character.
With gentle wording and colorful illustrations, even very young children can read happily at their own pace.
It’s a book that grown-ups who want to nurture imagination and curiosity will want to give as a gift.
After reading, kids might just want to play a game of “let’s transform!” themselves!
After all, it’s Halloween.
A picture book that gently captures the excitement and butterflies of Halloween night.
Open the book and the magic of Halloween—pumpkin lanterns, spooky costumes, and time enjoyed with friends—comes to life for both children and adults.
Each reading expands the fun and sense of adventure, making page-turning a shared joy for grown-ups and kids alike.
With adorable illustrations and rhythmic language, this recommended picture book will captivate children experiencing Halloween for the first time as well as those who look forward to it every year.
The Round Moon-Viewing in the Yokai Village
Autumn is the season for moon-viewing, isn’t it? So I’d like to introduce this picture book with a moon-viewing theme.
With pampas grass and rice dumplings offered, the moon-viewing begins in the yokai village.
Everyone gets excited with the tanuki’s belly drumming, but then they notice the moon is getting closer and closer.
It turns out that a yokai named Pakkurin is trying to swallow the moon.
Various yokai make an appearance, and the idea for getting the moon back out of Pakkurin is very unique and amusing.
Children might find themselves looking up at the sky every night wondering, “I hope it hasn’t been eaten!”
The Tailor of Gloucester
The story of mice repaying a kindness, “The Tailor of Gloucester.” In the town of Gloucester lived a tailor.
One day as Christmas drew near, he fell ill with a high fever even though he had an important job to finish.
That’s when the mice appear.
Grateful to the man, the mice take needle and thread in their tiny hands and sew the garments in his place.
The delicately rendered illustrations and heartfelt tale warm the soul.
It’s a truly lovely work that celebrates the desire to help others and the kindness that inspires it.
Help Mii! Moomintroll
This is a picture book about the ever-popular Moomins.
In this story, Moomintroll and his friends set off on a grand adventure.
One day, the mischievous Little My gets into trouble, and everyone works together to go and help her.
The importance of friendship, courage, and kindness is expressed in gentle language that even small children can easily understand.
The colorful, warm illustrations fill you with excitement with every page turn.
It’s a heartwarming book that lets adults share read-aloud time with children, enjoying the thrill of adventure and the growth of the characters together.