Booklist: Fall, Harvest, and Halloween

Post by Meredith Neesvig

Yippee!  Fall has officially arrived! I love the change of the seasons and especially the change of book displays in my library. There are so many great non-fiction Fall titles available—Pebble Go!, has a super set of books that have photograph illustrations and simple text for the youngest of students (see below). Although I love a good non-fiction book, my heart really belongs to those fiction stories that make you feel like part of the story. The fabulous illustrations don’t hurt either! Here are my picks for the best Fall/Halloween fiction stories.

Boo to You! by Lois Ehlert
Ehlert uses a great collage technique for creating the illustrations in this story.  Squash, flowers, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, Indian corn and more make up the cute pictures as she tells the story of creative mice trying to keep the cat away from their feast.  Enjoy this treat for the eyes!

Strega Nona’s Harvest by Tomie dePaola
If you have ever read a Stregna Nona book, you know the character, Big Anthony.  Strega Nona sets out to plant her large, neatly planted, yearly garden.  Big Anthony decides to plant his garden HIS way.  Find out what will happen when Big Anthony tries to garden and see if Stregna Nona will come to his rescue yet again.  Another gem from author Tomie dePaola.

It’s Fall! By Linda Glaser
This is an older book (2001), but so worth the read!  Illustrator Susan Swan used 3-D cut paper artwork to illustrate all the things I love about fall.  From autumn leaves to animals that go into hiding, this singsong text showcases all of nature’s glory this time of year.  Also included are Nature Activities to do the in Fall- how fun!

You Read to Me, I’ll Read To You: Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together by Mary Ann Hoberman
Love, love, love this book!  This set of poems is divided into two voices designed to read with your favorite trickster.  I love how it encourages parents and children to read together in a funny way.  It can also be entertaining to have siblings read the book together.  Either way you look at it, EVERYone will be laughing by the end of each poem.

Katie Woo: Boo, Katie Woo! By Fran Manushkin
What?  You haven’t met Katie Woo yet?  Get to the library or bookstore and introduce yourself immediately!!  Katie books are short, easy to read chapter books for the emerging reader.  In this book, Katie and her friends are getting ready for Halloween and the fun that goes with trick or treating.  Some of the neat things about these books are the glossary, discussion questions, and other extras at the back of the book.

Honorable Mentions:
Leaf Trouble by Jonathan Emmett
Shake Dem Halloween Bones by W. Lisa-Nikola
The Bones of Fred McFee by Eve Bunting
Too Many Pumpkins by Linda White
Pebble Go! Series:
— People in Fall by Martha E.H. Rustad
— Animals in Fall by Martha E.H. Rustad
— Leaves in Fall by Martha E.H. Rustad
— Apple Harvest by Martha E. Rustad
— Pumpkin Harvest by Martha E. Rustad
— Scarecrows by Martha E. Rustad

Until next month, Happy Reading!

Meredith Neesvig lives in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is mother to a fantastic little girl, elementary school librarian, and a sometimes runner.  Reading has always been a passion. Whether it be kids books or grown up books, she loves a good read.

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