Fall Read Alouds We Love
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Fall brings cozy vibes, harvest time, and cooling temps here in our neck of the woods. For us, it’s some quality time curling up on the sofa with kids on a family trip to the mountains. Most days, it’s gathering in our own living room to enjoy a good book during those long afternoons or right before bed with Daddy. At any rate, these picture books have brought us a lot of warmth and fall feelings, and have also taught us a thing or two about this special season. You can find the list here.
My last pick, Little House in the Big Woods, is a longer read aloud for the whole family. It is special to me. Last year, our family of 5 gathered in the den of the mountain cabin where we were staying and sat in front of a crackling wood fire in the fireplace to listen to me read it. I do not know how we made that work with a six-year-old and four-year-old. I think our “baby” (1.5 years old at the time) had been put to bed and was sound asleep. My memories of those nights reading by the fire make me want to keep up the tradition on family trips.
A Book A Day: Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving Spine Book:
Stories of the Pilgrims by Margaret Pumphrey
This is meant to be a “spine” book, a basic comprehensive resource on the topic of the Pilgrims (the Thanksgiving story is in there). This means you will refer to this book throughout the season of Thanksgiving. This book will take a lot longer than one day to read aloud! I suggest reading over the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, splitting up your readings into chapters or pages of chapters that you select. The actual Thanksgiving feast chapter is worth reading. This would be an excellent book to use as part of a Thanksgiving unit study, specifically on the Pilgrims.
Thanksgiving Living/Picture Books
Giles and Metacom: A Story of Plimouth and the Wampanoag by Pamela Dell
The Thanksgiving Story by Alice Dalgliesh
If you loved The Courage of Sarah Noble, this book is by the same author!
This First Thanksgiving Day: A Counting Story by Laura Krauss Melmed
Cranberry Thanksgiving by Wende Devlin
Going Anywhere This Thanksgiving?
I know that Thanksgiving is one of the most heavily-traveled seasons. If you are planning a trip or a visit here is a free resource that might keep the kids better-engaged while you’re there!
Themes Addressed in Fall Favorites
- ingenuity and innovation (Balloons Over Broadway)
- change and empathy (Fletcher and the Falling Leaves)
- bravery and perseverance (The Little Scarecrow Boy)
- traditions and friendship (Thanksgiving in the Woods)
- hospitality and grace (Cranberry Thanksgiving)
- resiliency and family (Little House in the Big Woods)
- other nonfiction concepts about science and history
Happy Fall!
