Fall Reading Suggestions

Autumn is the perfect season to slow down, cozy up, and share stories together. Cooler evenings, warm blankets, and the rustling of leaves create the ideal backdrop for reading. For children, fall stories can spark imagination, build emotional connections, and even inspire creative projects once the books are closed.

Here are some Fall reading suggestions for families, along with art projects to make the experience even more engaging.

Cozy Fall Reads for Families

• Picture Books

  The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger: A gentle story about change and courage, perfect for sparking conversations about new seasons in life.

  Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson: A heartwarming tale that captures the beauty of autumn through a fox’s eyes.

• Chapter Books (ages 7–12)

  The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall: A family-centered story that combines adventure, humor, and togetherness.

  Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery: A classic that pairs beautifully with fall evenings, reminding readers of imagination, friendship, and finding beauty in everyday life.

• Young Adult / All-Ages Classics

  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: Autumn is the perfect time to introduce children to Hogwarts, with its cozy feasts and magical adventures.

  Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White: A farmyard story full of warmth, friendship, and the rhythms of changing seasons.

  
  

Creative Art Projects Inspired by Reading

Reading together can be just the beginning. Encourage children to bring stories and characters to life with art projects that deepen their engagement.

Leaf Character Collages

After finishing a story, invite your child to pick a favorite character or animal. Then head outside to gather colorful fall leaves. At home, provide paper, glue, and markers. Children can arrange leaves to form shapes of foxes, owls, or even human characters. Add details like eyes, hats, or shoes with markers. For extra fun, display the finished collages as a “story gallery” in your home.

Story Stones

Find smooth stones and paint them with simple images connected to the story, such as a web for Charlotte’s Web, a broomstick for Harry Potter, or a fox tail for Fletcher and the Falling Leaves. Once dry, place the stones in a small basket. Children can use them to retell the story in their own words or mix and match the stones to invent new adventures featuring familiar characters.

Character Masks or Puppets

Provide paper plates, construction paper, yarn, and craft sticks. Children can create masks or puppets of their favorite characters, perhaps Wilbur the pig or Anne of Green Gables. Parents and children can then put on a short “story play” to act out favorite chapters. This encourages both creativity and comprehension, as kids practice retelling what they read in their own voices.

Reading Journals with Illustrations

Give each child a notebook to use as a “Fall Reading Journal.” After finishing a book or chapter, encourage them to draw their favorite scene, design an alternative ending, or sketch what they imagine the setting looks like. Parents can join in by adding their own doodles or notes, creating a shared keepsake of fall reading memories.

Final Thoughts

Fall offers families a special opportunity to connect—through the stories they share and the art they create. Whether reading classics by the fire, discovering new picture books, or crafting characters with leaves and paint, these moments encourage imagination, empathy, and family tradition. As the leaves fall outside, let stories and creativity blossom inside your home.

Eugene Roginsky LCSW is an Illinois based psychotherapist, author and wellness educator.