9 Best Autumn Books for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Autumn is here, bringing cooler days, colourful leaves and plenty of new things for little ones to explore. As the seasons change, everyday moments — watching leaves fall, spotting conkers, feeling the wind or noticing the changing colours around us — become opportunities to ask questions and discover something new.

Books are a lovely way to introduce these seasonal changes and give little ones a chance to talk about what they see around them. We've gathered 9 autumn books for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, with stories to enjoy together and an activity to try after reading each one.

Now I See Autumn by Mac Barnett & illustrated by Jon Klassen

Ideas for ages: 1–3 years

A simple board book that introduces autumn through a child’s eyes. With rhythmic text and beautiful illustrations, little ones can spot changing leaves, the autumn sky, a caramel apple and other seasonal details.

Activity idea for after reading: Autumn sensory tray

Fill a shallow tray with safe autumn-themed materials such as large leaves, soft fabric, wooden spoons, pine cones and large conkers for older children. For babies, keep it simple with large, safe objects and always supervise closely. Let them explore different textures while you introduce words such as soft, rough, smooth, crunchy and cold.

Find it here: Waterstones | Amazon

National Trust: When Autumn Comes by Ekaterina Trukhan

Ideas for ages: 0–3 years

A lovely first introduction to autumn, following a young child as they discover changing leaves, pine cones, apples, conkers, pumpkins and sleepy hedgehogs. It's full of simple things to notice both in and out doors.

Activity idea for after reading: What happens to a leaf?

Take a fresh leaf and place it between two sheets of kitchen roll with something heavy on top. Check it each day and talk about what is happening as it dries out. Older preschoolers could draw what they think the leaf will look like tomorrow.

Find it here: World of Books | Amazon

Pippa and Pelle in the Autumn Wind by Daniela Drescher

Ideas for ages: 1–3 years

Pippa and Pelle head outside to play with their colourful kites as the autumn wind blows and golden leaves swirl around them. This board book is full of seasonal details for little hands to explore.

Activity idea for after reading: Try a simple wind investigation indoors

Give your child a selection of lightweight objects — feathers, tissue paper, ribbon and leaves — and see what happens when you blow through a straw or use a fan. Which objects move? Which stay still?

Find it here: Waterstones | World of Books

Autumn by Gerda Muller

Ideas for ages: 1–3 years

This wordless board book lets little ones discover autumn through beautiful illustrations of children playing and exploring outdoors. With no text to follow, it's perfect for talking together about what you can see.

Activity idea for after reading: Tell the story together

Because this is a wordless book, choose a few pages and invite your child to tell you what they think is happening. There isn't one right answer. Babies can point to things they recognise, while older children can create their own story using the pictures.

Find it here: World of Books | Amazon

The Roll-Away Pumpkin by Junia Wonders & illustrated by Daniela Volpari

Ideas for ages: 3–5 years

On a windy autumn day, Marla's giant pumpkin rolls away and she sets off after it. Repeated phrases and a playful chase make this a fun story to read aloud together.

Activity idea for after reading: Pumpkin rolling investigation

Use a pumpkin, orange ball or other round object and create a simple ramp using a piece of cardboard. Try changing the height of the ramp. Does the pumpkin roll faster or further? Ask your child to predict what will happen before each turn.

Find it here: Waterstones | World of Books

The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming & illustrated by Nicola Slater

Ideas for ages: 3–4 years

Squirrel is convinced that someone is stealing the beautiful leaves from his tree. A funny story that introduces the changing seasons while encouraging children to notice what happens to trees in autumn.

Activity idea for after reading: Make a leaf collage

Use fallen leaves, paper and glue to create your own autumn picture. Children could make a tree, an animal or their own imaginary character. Let them decide where the different leaves should go.

Find it here: Waterstones | Amazon

Autumn Story by Jill Barklem

Ideas for ages: 3–5 years

Join the Brambly Hedge mice as they prepare for autumn, gathering food and getting ready for the colder months. The detailed illustrations give little ones plenty to look at and talk about.

Activity idea for after reading: Go on a “getting ready for autumn” walk

Look for things animals might eat or use, such as berries, seeds and fallen nuts, and talk about how animals prepare for the changing seasons.

Find it here: London Review Bookshop | Amazon

We're Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger & illustrated by Miki Sakamoto

Ideas for ages: 3–5 years

Three friends head out on an autumn adventure to find colourful leaves. With repetition and plenty of opportunities to join in, it's a fun read-aloud for preschoolers.

Activity idea for after reading: Autumn colour matching

Cut out simple leaf shapes from coloured paper and ask your child to match them to objects around the house. You could match yellow to a banana, red to an apple or brown to a teddy. Older children could then sort the colours into groups.

Find it here: Blackwell's | Amazon

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Ideas for ages: 4–5 years

Made using real leaves and natural materials, this imaginative story follows Leaf Man as he is carried away by the wind. The illustrations are full of shapes and seasonal details to discover.

Activity after reading: Make your own leaf character

Use fallen leaves and other natural materials to create a character of your own. Give them a name and make up a little story about where they live and what happens when the autumn wind blows.

Find it here: Waterstones | Amazon

Take the story outside

Books can be a lovely starting point for exploring the world around us. After reading an autumn story together, why not head outside and see what you can find?

Look for changing leaves, listen for birds, collect natural treasures or simply notice the colours and textures around you.

Sometimes a story can be the beginning of a whole new adventure!