As the crisp autumn air rolls in and leaves begin to turn, elementary classrooms across the country buzz with excitement for all things fall—and, of course, Halloween. This season offers a golden opportunity to bring rich, seasonal literature into your classroom. Whether you’re celebrating pumpkins, scarecrows, monsters, or the changing seasons, there are countless picture books that can spark imagination and build literacy skills at the same time.
This comprehensive guide features the best Halloween and fall-themed picture books for elementary school classrooms, categorized by theme and age level. Each book includes a brief summary and ideas for classroom use—perfect for read-alouds, independent reading, or integrated lessons across content areas.
Fall Themed Picture Books
1. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
Best for: Grades K–2
Fletcher the fox is worried as the leaves begin to fall from his favorite tree, not understanding that this is a natural part of the seasons.
Classroom connections:
Discuss seasonal changes and emotions.
Have students write about something they were worried about but turned out okay.
Pair with a science lesson about deciduous trees.
2. Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden by George Levenson
Best for: Grades 1–3
This nonfiction book explains the pumpkin life cycle with engaging photos and language.
Classroom connections:
Use for sequencing and vocabulary development.
Tie into a plant unit or school garden.
Compare with fictional pumpkin stories.
3. Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
Best for: Grades K–2
A gentle transition book that celebrates the shift from summer to fall. The poetic text and dreamy illustrations make it a great choice for calm mornings.
Classroom connections:
Have students observe and record signs of fall in journals.
Write their own “Hello, Goodbye” seasonal poem.
Compare with Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter.
4. Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre
Best for: Grades K–3
With vibrant photography and lyrical nonfiction text, this book explores how leaves change in fall.
Classroom connections:
Integrate into a science unit on photosynthesis.
Create a leaf observation station or display.
Focus on nonfiction text features.
5. Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
Best for: Grades PreK–2
This rhyming tale of a kind-hearted witch who makes room for friends on her broom is a classroom favorite. Full of repetition, rhythm, and fun.
Classroom connections:
Great for practicing rhyming words and phonological awareness.
Retell using puppets or a story sequence chart.
Discuss themes of friendship and kindness.
6. Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds
Best for: Grades K–3
Jasper Rabbit loves carrots—until they start following him. This hilarious story with just the right amount of spookiness keeps kids laughing and guessing.
Classroom connections:
Teach prediction and inference.
Use the unique grayscale/orange color palette as inspiration for art.
Write persuasive pieces from the perspective of the carrots.
7. The Hallo-Wiener by Dav Pilkey
Best for: Grades 1–3
Oscar, the dachshund, is teased for his hotdog costume—until he becomes a Halloween hero. A funny, heartfelt story about embracing individuality.
Classroom connections:
Discuss bullying and acceptance.
Have students design their own creative Halloween costumes and write about them.
Compare with other underdog (or “underdog”) stories.
8. Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman
Best for: Grades PreK–2
A witch grows a huge pumpkin but can’t pull it off the vine. It takes teamwork from a ghost, vampire, mummy, and bat to solve the problem.
Classroom connections:
Act out the story with props or puppets.
Practice sequencing and cumulative story structure.
Introduce problem-solving and teamwork discussions.
Literacy and Writing Extensions
Looking to go beyond the read-aloud? Here are some ways to extend these picture books into full literacy lessons:
Writing Prompts
“If I were a pumpkin, I would…”
“My spooky (but silly) monster friend…”
“A leaf’s journey through fall.”
“The day I flew on a broomstick…”
Reading Skills Focus
Sequencing: Big Pumpkin, Leaf Man, Pumpkin Circle
Character Analysis: The Hallo-Wiener, Bonaparte Falls Apart
Cause and Effect: Creepy Carrots, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
Inferencing: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, The Ugly Pumpkin
Vocabulary Activities
Create a seasonal word wall (acorns, hayride, eerie, harvest, spooky, etc.).
Highlight onomatopoeia and sound words in The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything.
Explore descriptive adjectives using pumpkin-themed stories.
Fall-Themed Literacy Centers Ideas
Pumpkin Patch Sight Word Hunt – Hide laminated pumpkins around the room with sight words for students to read aloud.
Rhyming Cauldron – Sort rhyming word cards into a “witch’s cauldron.”
Fall Book Retell Station – Use sequencing cards and props to retell books like Big Pumpkin or Room on the Broom.
Adjective Apple Tree – Have students pick “apples” with nouns and describe them with adjectives.
Build a Story Bag – Fill a bag with fall objects (scarecrow, broom, leaf, pumpkin) and challenge students to write a creative story using them all.
Making the Most of the Season
The magic of fall and Halloween can turn even the most reluctant readers into engaged listeners and storytellers. Picture books are the perfect gateway—offering visual storytelling, rich language, and opportunities for imagination. When thoughtfully chosen, seasonal books help build vocabulary, reinforce story elements, and invite meaningful discussions.
Whether you’re decorating your classroom for Halloween, heading on a nature walk, or prepping for a costume day celebration, these books will help you create memorable literacy moments all season long.
Final Thoughts
Fall is a time for reflection, change, and wonder—all powerful themes for young readers. By bringing the best Halloween and fall-themed picture books into your classroom, you’ll cultivate joy, curiosity, and literacy skills in ways that will stay with your students long after the leaves have fallen.
So grab your scarf, pour a warm mug of cider, and get ready to fall into a good book with your class this season. Happy reading and happy fall!
No comments:
Post a Comment