Best Picture Books about Autumn Trees & Fall Leaves

Are you looking for great picture books about trees? Picture books about Autumn or Fall leaves? Picture books about Autumn Trees for your preschool, kindergarten or first grade classroom? Then look no further!  Every year, as part of our nature study in our homeschool we read children’s books about trees in the Fall season. I selected a number of great children’s picture books about Autumn for our first grade homeschool bookshelf. Some of these books related to trees are classics, some are non-fiction for gentle science study. We lean a bit Charlotte Mason in our homeschool style, so I am all about books! Some of these are about trees and the changing seasons, some are just nice stories. I’ve also included a selection of books about Autumn and Fall leaves. I love to rotate and display different books every week or two for my kids to enjoy. Whether you are looking for books about Autumn and trees for your nature study, Fall leaves, Earth day, or your science class, this list should give you some great ideas to add to your homeschool room or check out from the library.

Because of an Acorn by Lola M. Schaefer – Because of an acorn, a tree grows, a bird nests, a seed becomes a flower. Enchanting die-cuts illustrate the vital connections between the layers of an ecosystem in this magical book. Wander down the forest path to learn how every tree, flower, plant, and animal connect to one another in spiraling circles of life. An acorn is just the beginning.

Little Tree by Loren Long – Autumn arrives, and with it the cool winds that ruffle Little Tree’s leaves. One by one the other trees drop their leaves, facing the cold of winter head on. But not Little Tree—he hugs his leaves as tightly as he can. Year after year Little Tree remains unchanged, despite words of encouragement from a squirrel, a fawn, and a fox, his leaves having long since turned brown and withered. As Little Tree sits in the shadow of the other trees, now grown sturdy and tall as though to touch the sun, he remembers when they were all the same size. And he knows he has an important decision to make.

Tree: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup  – Through a hole in the book’s cover, an owl invites you inside to meet a majestic tree and all its forest inhabitants during the changing seasons. With clever peekaboo holes throughout, each page reveals a new set of animals playing and living in the tree—baby bears frolicking in the spring, bees buzzing around apples in the summer, squirrels storing nuts in the fall, and finally the lone owl keeping warm during the winter chill—until another year begins. . . .

Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak – As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows–autumn is on its way! Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.

Little Acorn by IglooBooks – Have you ever wondered what happens when a little acorn becomes a big oak tree? This beautifully illustrated story will delight children and parents alike, and also offers a perfect introduction to the life cycle of trees. Great book for preschool or kindergarten students.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein – It’s a young bear’s first autumn, and the falling leaves surprise him. He tries to put them back on the trees, but it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring, and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, welcoming him. Graceful illustrations and a childlike main character offer the perfect way to talk with children about the wonder of the changing seasons.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson – As the leaves fall from his favorite tree, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. But then winter comes, and with it a wonderful surprise. Do you know what it is? Join Fletcher and find out. . . .

(This has been a favorite book about Fall for our family for a long time. Fletcher is such a sweet character. Check out the audiobook version read by the author! We have listened to it countless times.)

The Busy Tree by Jennifer Ward – Spectacular illustrations rendered in oil paint, and a rhyming text that describes a tree’s activities from its roots to its branches, introduce young readers to the amazing activities that go on in a tree. Acorns nibbled by chipmunks, ants scurrying across a trunk, a spider spinning a web, leaves “breathing out air for all to breathe in”—everything adds up to a “busy tree” for all to “come and see.”

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert – Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one’s quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows. With illustrations made from actual fall leaves and die-cut pages on every spread that reveal gorgeous landscape vistas, here is a playful, whimsical, and evocative book that celebrates the natural world and the rich imaginative life of children.

Fall Leaves by Loretta Holland – Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow! Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

A Tree Is Nice by Janice May Udry – Trees are beautiful. They fill up the sky. If you have a tree, you can climb up its trunk, roll in its leaves, or hang a swing from one of its limbs. Cows and babies can nap in the shade of a tree. Birds can make nests in the branches. A tree is good to have around. A tree is nice.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein – The Giving Tree, a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein, has been a classic favorite for generations. Since it was first published fifty years ago, Shel Silverstein’s poignant picture book for readers of all ages has offered a touching interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another’s capacity to love in return.

Nature Anatomy: The Curious Parts and Pieces of the Natural World by Julia Rothman – See the world in a whole new way! Acclaimed illustrator Julia Rothman combines art and science in this exciting and educational guide to the structure, function, and personality of the natural world. Explore the anatomy of a jellyfish, the inside of a volcano, monarch butterfly migration, how sunsets work, and much more. Rothman’s whimsical illustrations are paired with interactive activities that encourage curiosity and inspire you to look more closely at the world all around you.

Ultimate Explorer Field Guide: Trees by Patricia Daniels – This fun, photo-filled, and fact-packed guide to trees will make kids stop and look up at the trees towering over them right in their own backyards. From maple to birch, pine to cherry, kids will learn how and where to spot these trees all over the United States. With tons of info and interactivity prompts, it’s the perfect companion for backyard or field trips, camping or vacation. Durable and portable, it’s just right for your pocket or backpack!

The Things That I LOVE about TREES by Chris Butterworth – In an exuberant text accompanied by gorgeous, windswept illustrations, two esteemed picture-book creators celebrate the mighty tree.  Journey through the seasons and discover how much there is to love about trees! From brand-new buds in spring to the sound of the wind whooshing through the leaves in summer, from the fall colors to the feel of winter’s rough bark and the promise of spring returning again — no matter what time of year, there’s always something extraordinary to notice about the trees around your neighborhood. Chris Butterworth’s text, gently sprinkled with facts, captures the wonder of a child as Charlotte Voake’s busy, buoyant artwork conveys how something as simple and common as a tree can feel like magic taking root around you.

Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Betsy Maestro – It’s fall! The leaves are changing color. Learn about the magical process of how leaves change their color with this Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out picture book. Graceful text and simple, fun diagrams help introduce concepts like photosynthesis and the different types of leaves. This book also includes simple activities to do with leaves, like leaf rubbings. Both the text and art were expert-vetted for accuracy.

Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead – It was almost winter and Bear was getting sleepy.
But first, Bear had a story to tell…Bear found his friend Mouse, but Mouse was busy gathering seeds and didn’t have time to listen to a story. Then Bear saw his friend Duck, but Duck was getting ready to fly south. What about his friend Toad? He was busy looking for a warm place to sleep. By the time Bear was through helping his friends get ready for winter, would anyone still be awake to hear his story?

Lawrence in the Fall by Matthew Farina – When Lawrence Fox’s teacher announces that students will be presenting their collections at show-and-tell, Lawrence realizes he doesn’t have anything to share. Luckily, Papa knows just what to do to help! Together, they venture into the woods. Lawrence is scared at first, but as he grows comfortable in the forest, he starts to recognize its magic, and how beautiful and unique each tree and leaf is, allowing him to gather a splendid, one-of-a-kind collection of his own!

Autumn is here! by Heidi Pross Gray – Celebrate the coming of autumn with your child as you cuddle up and enjoy a sweet look at how the world changes along with the season. With beautiful watercolor illustrations and charming descriptions, you and your child will be wishing it was autumn year round!
Autumn is Here – A Beautiful Children’s Picture Book About Autumn. Beautiful watercolor illustrations. Poetic whimsical text. Charming look at nature and family throughout the season

Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze! by Maureen Wright – It’s autumn, and Big Bear thinks that his sneezes are causing the leaves and the apples to fall from the trees and the geese to fly away… until the wind convinces him otherwise. Cozy illustrations rendered in pencil and mixed media add warmth and humor to a story that children will love.

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I hope you enjoy this list of children’s picture books all about autumn, fall, trees, and leaves! And if you’re looking for a fun autumn tree craft to do, check out this freebie!