Here’s a slightly spooky concept: I’ve reached the stage in my life where all of a sudden the people around me are starting to have kids. And somehow all at once. In about a year’s time, I went from basically never being around kids at all to my friends bringing three beautiful nieces and nephews into my life. They’re not my kids, but when your friends have kids, your life changes too, or at least it should. But if you’re a Bookish Brews reader, I trust ya’ll enough to know this moment in your life would/will/has change(d) your life too. You get to learn what it means to be the village that it takes to raise a kid.
It’s not something I expected to learn so much about in the last year, but I’ve learned so much about babies and how we grow and learn. It’s pretty incredible to watch and hear about how they’re learning and growing and developing little personalities. Everything is so scary and uncomfortable when you don’t know anything yet, and it’s made me think a lot about how life is all about learning about the unknown, even if it’s scary and uncomfortable. After all, you have to be scared and uncomfortable in order to be brave and grow. Spooky really isn’t so bad.
One of these parent friends has been working really hard to be intentional about the books she’s reading with her child and I’ve admired the care and effort she’s putting into it. I asked if she would want to put together a list of picture book recommendations for Bookish Brews and she was so enthusiastic she got the list to me in under an hour. So I’m incredibly honored to introduce you all to these books through her help. Everyone say, “thank you, Sarah!” Enjoy!
Sarah’s Autumn Picture Book Recommendations
Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak
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.
Trick-or-Treating in The City by Tiffany D. Jackson
Janelle knows exactly what she wants to be for Halloween, but she has no idea how she’ll celebrate—her mommy has to work and can’t take her to trick-or-treat in the suburbs, and daddy has to run his store like always. But listening to her friends and neighbors’ stories of Halloweens past and present, helps Janelle realize that there may be a way to celebrate the fall-iday that lets her give as much as she gets.
Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kohara
At the edge of town lives a clever girl with a spooky problem: Her house is haunted! Luckily, she happens to be a witch and knows a little something about taking care of ghosts. She catches them, puts them in the washing machine, airs them out to dry, and gives them new lives as sofa covers, table cloths, and, of course, bed sheets to cozy up under. Fresh and charming illustrations in dynamic orange, black and white bring this resourceful heroine and these spooky ghosts to life.
The Ofrenda That We Built by Jolene Gutiérrez and Shaian Gutiérrez
It is Día de Muertos—the Day of the Dead—and the family ofrenda is at the center of the celebration! Inspired by the popular nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built,” The Ofrenda That We Built invites readers to join in the building of a colorful ofrenda, a home altar full of symbols and meaning, one special element at a time.
We Are the Light by Rajani LaRocca
With beautifully spare text and vibrant artwork, this book takes readers through the rituals of the Hindu festival of lights by following three different, contemporary families who come together at the end. Rajani LaRocca, who has won numerous accolades for her picture books, touches on the religious foundation of Diwali in a way that is accessible to all. This celebration of Diwali’s traditions captures the power of community and the radiant light of the holiday.
The Ghost Who Was Afraid Of Everything by Nadia Ahmed
Finn, a spooky little ghostie, is too afraid to leave the comfort of his attic to enjoy trick-or-treating with his family. He’s afraid of everything—the color orange, trees, people, even flying! But then he realizes that if he wants his favorite Halloween candy, he’ll need to overcome his fears. Through incremental exposures to the things he’s afraid of, Finn finds courage to do things he enjoys with the people he loves.
Autumn’s Abundance by Kaitlin B. Curtice
Bo, a proud Potawatomi boy, loves the coming of autumn—the turning of the leaves, the cooling weather, the last harvests from his garden. All around him he can see the love and abundance that Creator and Mother Earth give to all living creatures. But Bo knows that not everyone feels abundance in their lives. What can Bo and his friends do to share love and abundance with those around them?
Calling For the Moon by Wu Xia
As the Mid-Autumn Festival approaches, Yueyue awaits the return of her father who promises to come home every year when the moon is at its fullest.
But when the moon disappears behind the clouds, will the father she misses so much find his way home?
Harvest Days by Kate Depalma
People as far back as anyone’s known have gathered to give thanks for food we have grown. Celebrate harvest festivals from 12 cultures around the globe! Immerse young readers in some of the most ancient traditions in the world from rice harvests in India to friendly food fights with tomatoes in Spain. This book showcases diverse global traditions and the shared joy of gathering nature’s bounty.
The Most Perfect Persimmon by Hannah Chung
When Joo Hong harvests a beautiful persimmon from her mom’s garden, she can’t wait to give it to her Grandma who is visiting from far away. However, the days leading up to her arrival feel like forever—and the persimmon is looking less and less perfect as time passes by. What can Joo Hong do to make sure it’s perfectly ripe—and not mushy and wrinkly—for Grandma’s visit?
