Autumn Books with a Bang

It’s getting colder, the nights are drawing in….but it is also the season for fireworks!

After a day spent kicking through fallen leaves, why not snuggle up together and try one of these brilliant books (some classic, some brand new) to bring a magical, seasonal spark to your reading.

Some of these books celebrate the outdoors and some the pleasure of being inside, but whatever the subject, all of these books can be found in any season in your local library, bookshop, or of course available online from amazon.co.uk.

Exploring the world around us…

Tree: Seasons Come, Seasons Go

Written by Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup (Little Tiger)

As the leaves change colour and fall outside, this lovely book is a great way to discuss and understand the seasons. Following the life of a tree and its habitat over a year, rhyming text and gorgeous peek-through artwork together create a rich and engaging introduction not only to autumn, but winter, spring and summer, too.

Time to Move South for Winter

Written by Clare Helen Walsh, illustrated by Jenny Løvlie (Nosy Crow)

A tiny tern bravely sets off over the freezing Arctic waves as she begins the world’s longest animal migration. But she is not alone, and on her way she meets all kinds of animals – from humpback whales to monarch butterflies – all making their own astonishing journeys south for winter. This stunning, lyrical picture book is brilliant for young animal lovers, and even includes a map and double-page spread of non-fiction facts at the end.

 

Seasonally sensational stories…

 

Stick Man

Written by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler (Scholastic)

Stick Man leaves the family tree to go for a jog one spring morning…but despite his best efforts to get home, he will spend summer, autumn and winter in many different places – and find himself used as many seasonal things. Will he ever manage to get back to his family? This is a wonderful rhyming romp through the season’s in a stick’s most unusual year…with plenty of excitement to build up to Santa, too.

 

The Dragon with the Blazing Bottom

Written and illustrated by Beach (Simon & Schuster Children’s Books)

Fireworks might have stopped exploding…but this dragon’s bottom has only just begun!

Dragon has a big problem: he has stopped being able to breathe fire! But Sir Wayne thinks he has a solution for him: a very FIERY diet!

Dragon soon swallows all sorts of things, from mouldy cheese to lava, from a sparkler to some whooshy, whizzy fireworks!  A rumbling in his tummy soon starts…but wait – it still doesn’t seem quite right…

 This is a hilarious and energetic picture book, with a truly explosive ending!

 

The Big Freeze

Written and illustrated by Pippa Curnick (Hodder Children’s Books)

Summer isn’t everyone’s favourite season – some people like the cold best! Shama and Bahama Llama are looking forward to winter, because they can’t wait for the weather to be truly freezing. But as things turn chilly they make a terrible discovery: their woolly jumpers are not up to the job!!! Off to the jumper shop they race- but when disaster strikes, will they learn to work together?

This is a beautifully illustrated and hugely funny story that also has a great message about the power of cooperation, just in time for your own stampede to grab a suitably cosy jumper!

 

We’re Going to Find the Monster

Written by Malorie Blackman and illustrated by Dapo Adeola (Puffin)

 There are sometimes days in the colder months when the only thing for it is to make home into an adventure when you have to stay indoors. This wonderful story offers plenty of inspiration to do just that, as two little adventurers use their imaginations to transform their house into a wild wonderland...and a big brother into something even more scary!  

Funny, relatable, and gloriously illustrated in this updated edition, this is a brilliant way to share the magic of being inside.

 

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Written by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (Walker Books)

 

This classic story features great adventures both outdoors and inside….and in all kinds of weather. Join five siblings as they become the bravest they can be to hunt for a bear across rivers, snow, mud and field. But what happens when they actually find one?

A joy to read with even the tiniest toddler and up, this is a brilliant and timeless adventure for the whole family.