Perfect for the reading season of autumn! Recommended picture books that will captivate elementary school children

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.

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

A Leaf Letter

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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Transforming Roasted Sweet Potato

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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!

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After all, it’s Halloween.

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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The Round Moon-Viewing in the Yokai Village

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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!”

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The Tailor of Gloucester

http://www.amazon.co.jp

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.

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sasashina

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