Autumn Visitors by Karel Hayes

I was in my favorite bookstore recently and noticed this really sweet book about Autumn. I had not seen it before nor did I know that it was the fourth and final book in a series of books about the cutest bear family.

Autumn Visitors by Karel Hayes is the perfect book for the season. It has wonderful illustrations that show a family of bears and the fun they get into during the fall season.  It is such a sweet read aloud that can be read every night from October and Halloween until Thanksgiving.  I love the way the sparse text is enhanced by the rich and colorful illustrations. There is something new to discover in every reading.  This is the perfect book for a classroom story time or a one on one bedtime read...a must have new book to be read every year during the fall.

I think all the books deserve a place on a child's bookshelf.....going back and reading  the first three I really loved The Winter Visitors too....this has the Bear family taking over a vacation cottage when the owners leave....few words again but rich and expansive illustrations....a cosy book to read by the fire!

Flashback Tuesday: Let it Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

We are in the midst of a warm spell for the first day of October here on the East Coast.  That being said  I have been told by the various weather stations that the crisp air is right around the corner.

Let it Fall written and illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler is a sweet book that is all about the Autumn season.  It has charming illustrations of little children playing in the leaves.  The words are very lyrical which makes it a great story time book.  This is for more of a preschool or toddler aged child.  It is also part of a series that deals with each season....which makes it perfect for a school setting.

New Books About Autumn

As promised from yesterday here are a few new titles that were just published about Autumn....I am sure there will be more next year:

A is for Autumn by Robert Maass is exactly what the title proclaims.  I know I recommended an older title of his yesterday but I also like this book. He does take very vivid photographs and I think this would make a great companion piece.  Click the link to see a really cute video of the book.  Ages 3-6

Fall Mixed Up by Bob Raczka and illustrated by Chad Cameron is a clever picture book with great illustrations that has a "find the mistake" aspect to it.   A great classroom book. Ages 4-8

I See Fall by Charles Ghigna and illustrated by AG Jatkowska is a sweet little book that is part of a series of books about the season.  Ages 3-6

The Leaves on the Trees by Thom Wiley and illustrated by Andrew Day is a clever picture book that can be sung to the tune of " The Wheels on the Bus"....another great classroom title but would also be a great book for story time.  Ages 3-6





These are just a couple that I thought would make great new additions to either a classroom library or an at home library....Happy Fall!

Flashback Tuesday: Books about Autumn

There is a definite chill in the air and since Autumn starts this week I thought I would suggest some of my favorite books Fall books.   For some reason Fall or Autumn  titles always sold better in than other season.   Winter books seem to do well but mostly if it has a holiday theme.   Like I said today's books represent books I would put out on display....I always liked to mix fun books with informative book....basically something for everyone. 

  

I Love Fall by Alison Inches and illustrated by Hiroe Nakata great little touch and feel board book for the littlest hands.  

Count Down to Fall by Fran Hawk and illustrated by Sherry Neidigh this is a sweet book for ages 4-8. 

Ready for Autumn by Martha Jocelyn is another board book that shows children what to wear in the crisp air....for ages 2-5.

Why Do Leaves Change Color by Betsey Maestro is a classic read and find out book that tells children in a fun way how the leaves on the trees change color.   It includes great activities to do this time of year with leaves etc.  Ages 4-8

Red Leaf Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert is a perennial favorite that should be on every child's bookshelf.  Click on it to read my original post from last year.   

Clifford's First Autumn by Norman Bridwell  is a no brainer for a story time about Autumn....children love Clifford.  It is a fun and easy read.  Ages 2-6  

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass uses wonderful photos to simply tell the story of Fall.  Ages 4-7

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner is for the older child ages 9-12.   I wrote about it when it first came out and still feel it is the perfect read for this time of year.   

These are just a few classic titles and newer/older titles to read this fall....tomorrow some brand new Autumn books to try....

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Fall by Roger Priddy

Bright Baby Touch and Feel Fall by Roger Priddy is a great new touch and feel book for toddlers that is perfect for today.   As I sit here looking out my window the leaves on trees are changing colors.   The wind is blowing like it is shouting that Autumn is here.   I have always been impressed with Priddy Books for children, this goes back to the days when I bought Toddler books.  Roger Priddy really knows what is perfect for little ones when it comes to books.   This book has wonderful textures and photographs for babies to look at and feel.   A perfect addition to a toddler's repertoire of books.

Flashback Tuesday: Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

During my walk this morning I saw my very first Autumn colored trees.  The colors reminded me that summer is over and that fall has begun, even if it is a tad warm outside.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert is such a classic book for this time of year.  I always loved the colors  and the way it teaches the life cycle of a tree with simple words and beautiful photos.  I love books that teach in an interesting way.  I always thought this was one of those perfect books that has something for everyone. I know so many teachers that have used this in their classroom but I think it is great for a parent to read too....a must have fall book.
 

Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin

Thanking the Moon: Celebrating the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival by Grace Lin is a sweet new book that is perfect for this time of year,  as last night brought in Autumn while the harvest moon was in the sky.  Grace Lin has done a sort of sequel to her book Bringing in the New Year because it is the same family in both stories.   This is a wonderful book to teach children how different cultures celebrate the harvest.  This makes a great story time read aloud as well as a book the whole family can enjoy together.   Her illustrations are warm and inviting and truly keep the reader involved.   A sweet new book.

Flashback Tuesday: When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass

Tomorrow Summer officially comes to an end.   Here in the northeast the breeze is picking up and there is a bit of a chill in the air.   Driving back from upstate NY I saw signs for apple and pumpkin picking.  It made me think of this book and it wonderful photographs.
  

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass was a great book to read at story time because of the great photographs that came with the story.   I liked that because the kids could really relate.  Of course not all areas of the world celebrate autumn like this which is why the photographs are so important....a great way to bring in a change of season.

The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner

I recently read The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z by Kate Messner. It made me flashback to my own childhood and the projects I always hated to do. I was a lot like Gianna in that I totally procrastinated on any thing I had to do. To this day I am still a bit of a procrastinator. I remember staying up late to make a giant tooth for my science class~well I stayed up and watched my father make the tooth out of sponges....to my credit I did write the report (with a little help from my sister). Actually my father was a great one for pretty much helping with our school projects. Since he was a commercial artist my covers were always perfect. I also remember the time he "helped" my brother Michael make a diorama of a kitchen for math class. It was incredible right down to the detailed groceries in the grocery bags.

This is what was so nice about this book. The characters are ones we can totally identify with, right down to the nemesis. The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z has all the feel of some of the greatest school stories. If you know a child who loves Andrew Clements books like Frindle or Lunch Money etc., then they will love this book.

As a bookseller this is the type of book that is easy to sell because the kids will like it and the parents will too. It would make a great gift!

Hooray for Fall by Kazuo Iwamura

It is still Autumn outside, although stores and malls would have you think it is holiday time. Since it still not yet winter I thought I would tell you of a sweet book with beautiful illustrations about fall.

Hooray for Fall is written and illustrated by acclaimed Japanese artist Kazuo Iwamura. It is the third book in the series that includes Hooray for Snow & Hooray for Spring. While I enjoyed the first two books and thought the illustrations were sweet I really love this new one. I illustrations are rich and inviting. I love the little squirrels in their matching red sweaters, so cute and fun to read. This is a great autumn book to add to any child's library~while your at it all three would be great books to have!

Fun Book of the Day: Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin by Tad Hills

When I was little I always loved playing Duck Duck Goose in the playground. It was basically the only game I liked to play. It always made me nervous but in a good way. The first time I saw the Duck & Goose books I laughed because they made me think of having fun on the playground. Of course the books aren't about the game but about two friends sharing and playing together. I love the softness of the illustrations and the expressiveness of the characters. I have always enjoyed Tad Hills works. I was a big fan of his touch and feel books "My Fuzzy Friends"~~when I was in the stores touch & feel was a big seller and when I bought books that trend continued. My Fuzzy Friends was a big seller for me and I could understand why. The illustrations and playfulness of the book makes it fun to share with a child.

His new book Duck & Goose Find a Pumpkin is great for this time of year. I love the color palette and sweet story it tells. It is a fun book to add to your toddler's library that will never go out of style. A sweet read!

Johhny Appleseed born September 26, 1774

Tomorrow is Johnny Appleseed's birthday~well actually it is John Chapman's birthday but he is better know as Johnny Appleseed. I have always loved the fact that Johnny Appleseed was based on a real person. In a way he was our first environmentalist. He cared about conservation and preservation. It is interesting to note that he didn't really sow seeds around the states but planted apple trees which he protected and nurtured. I also found it interesting that his birthday is in September, the start of the autumn season and the time when apple picking is at its height! So in honor of his birthday tomorrow I thought I would list some books that tell his story and the story of apples.

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Johnny Appleseed: A Tall Tale Retold by Steven Kellogg

Johnny Appleseed: A Poem by Reeve Lindbergh

Johnny Appleseed by Carol Ottolenghi

Johnny Appleseed: The Legend & the Truth by Jane Yolen

Apple books:

Apples by Gail Gibbons

How Do Apples Grow by Betsey Maestro

Apple Picking Time by Michele B. Slawson

So every time you eat an apple think of the man who brought them to the world and who really lived!

Strega Nona's Harvest by Tomie dePaola

In looking to write about something timely I discovered a wonderful new book by one of my favorite authors. Tomie dePaola has always been one of my favorites because his books transcend time and space. His illustrations are warm and inviting and appeal to both grown ups and children. When my niece Celia was a little girl she used to ask me to read over and over his book called The Clown of God. When she heard that I was going to have lunch with him she asked if she could give me a letter to tell him how much she liked his books. He was really generous and sent her a drawing and a thank you. It really made her day to receive a personal message from someone she liked. That was many years ago and she is in college now but I know that is one of her favorite memories.

How happy I was to see that his new book, Strega Nona's Harvest, has just come out. I love Strega Nona and Big Anthony. When I did story times these were always fun books to read because the children would get a kick out of the Big Anthony's antics.

This new book has Strega Nona trying to teach Big Anthony about gardening but again he messes up. Happily everything works out in the end. The colors invoke the approaching autumn with flair. This is a great read aloud and should be enjoyed by reader and listener alike!