Cozy Fall Read Alouds to Start your School Year
Fall is my all time favorite. The crisp air and changing leaves, it’s truly dreamy. So many of my core memories as a homeschool mom (so far) revolve around fall. Especially the fall read alouds. My all time favorite is this cute picture book followed by a day of baking apple pie of course. By now many have put the finishing touches on our plans for the homeschool year. Here you’ll find a (far from exhaustive) list of some great fall themed chapter books to start your school year.
Light those beeswax candles, put on the kettle, get your best shire playlist in the queue. Enjoy these cozy fall chapter books for young and middle readers.
Chapter Book Read Alouds for Fall
- Heartwood hotel (series)— These chapter books are so charming and give the best brambly hedge vibes you’ve ever seen. I love a good mouse book, and I also love books that go through the seasons. Book one starts out in fall and it’s full of woodland whimsy. Everyone will be ready to slow down and start a meaningful, gathered school year. This makes a wonderful read aloud or a perfect independent read for grades 2/3+
- Beyond Mullbery Glen— we read this book a couple of years ago with RAR premium. I kept thinking the whole time “this would be a perfect fall read”! It’s full of cozy scenes describing the aroma and crispness of fall. There’s lots of nods to apothecary use which seems so fitting with harvest season. And of course the book takes place in the start of autumn. This cozy book is full of adventure, and has a rare female hero, without trying too hard, and without being feminist (IMO) we really enjoyed this one.
- Tum Tum and Nutmegs first adventure— did I mention I’m a sucker for mouse books. These two make me want to sit down and jump into their world, with a hot cup of tea. This book is the perfect start to your school year. Your readers young and old will enjoy the whimsy and fall in love with these characters. This is the first in a series. The Christmas book also happens to be one of our favorite audible books in December.
Cozy Picture Books for Fall
Fall is where picture books absolutely shine. I can think of no less than 50 books that absolutely draw you in, and beckon everyone to gather. I’ll give you my very favorites below, I promise they won’t disappoint. Even my ten and eight year olds still enjoy these.
- Sleep tight farm. Prepare yourself to dream of homesteading just so you can cozy up in the fall with a fresh fire.
- Ox cart man. A classic with no introduction needed!
- Bear has a story to tell– a sweet book of waiting, preparing, and friendship
- Fletcher and the falling leaves — I heard of this book back in 2020 from the.hidden.way. Emily Mitchell was one of the first homeschool moms I ever followed and a main inspiration for my homeschooling. She was so inspiring and I loved following her (from afar) so this book always reminds me of her, as does making our own maple syrup!
- Hello Harvest Moon– this is a really neat book about the harvest moon. There is one page in there about our ancestors that’s a bit on the weird side, my kids ripped it out in their own accord a few years back so I can’t tell you exactly what it was, but it is worth noting as a caution.
“all seasons” read alouds
I love having books around that show all the seasons in one book. These are some of our favorites.
In the town all year round— This has been discontinued and is now a four book volume. If you can find an old copy of the all in one book, all our kids have loved it. It’s especially wonderful for the 18month -2 year old stage when their words and vocabulary are exploding!
One note on this book there’s a very small portrait in a museum of a (cartoon) naked woman, it’s about the size of your thumb so it’s easy to miss. We aren’t ones who think nudity is ever appropriate or artful (especially for children) so we chose to just sharpie over the small spot, but you make the right choice for your family. There’s also a few adults throughout pictured smoking, we don’t mind this as it’s part of what we see everywhere and an easy learning opportunity.
Brambley hedge — is this book just a staple of being a homeschool family at this point? It’s hard to pick a favorite season in this one. My girls and boys alike adore these precious stories
Home in the woods— we bought this one when we did RAR, back in 2020. I love the sweet family that changes and grows, and remains resilient, right alongside the seasons. It’s a beautiful story.
A year around the great oak— this one is really great if some of the typical seasonal books are too “girly” for your boys. It’s still beautiful and sweet but lots of nature facts and more of a non fiction feel. Gerda Miller also creates seasonal board books that are a favorite in our home, wordless, with beautiful illustrations.
Frog and Toad all year— forever a favorite in our home, I love their sweet friendship and simple stories!
Water is water— this is another great nonfiction and education picture book. Learn about the water cycle through the seasons, with some beautiful illustrations.
Anno’s coutning book— my favorite for preschool, learn numbers in these simple worldless scenes. This book is super engaging and very unique, I really love the pictures, we enjoy many of the Annos stories.
did I miss a favorite? Will you be adding any of these to your school year? Let me know down below!
