12 Fall Books to Support Speech & Language Development in Young Children

Today marks the first day of my favorite season: FALL. That means that it’s time to break out the FALL THEMED BOOKS which are FANTASTIC for speech & language learning. Today, I’d love to share 12 FALL books that can help support speech & language development in young children.

In our home, I have our seasonal and holiday books organized and stored in baskets and put away until the season/holiday comes along. We actually got out our fall books a couple weeks ago because I love fall and I couldn’t help myself. I also use seasonal and holiday books in my speech & language therapy sessions with young children to help build vocabulary, grammar, listening skills, answering and asking questions, general attention and relationship/social skills, etc.

Below I’m sharing some of my personal favorites. These books meet the requirements I outlined in my post How to Choose Great Children’s Books to Support Speech & Language Development (If you haven’t checked out that post, I encourage you to do so!). I’ve separated the books by *approximate* ages. Some children will enjoy the “toddler” books for years (which is why I titled it “Toddlers and UP”) while some 2 year olds may be ready for some of the 3 and up books. For example, my older kids love most of these books despite being 3.5 and almost 6.

There are Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. 

Toddlers and Up

Fall (Bright Baby Touch and Feel) by Rodger Priddy (ages 1-3): Simple touch and feel book with pictures from Fall and Thanksgiving vocabulary.

Busy Little Squirrel by Nancy Tufuri (ages 1-4+): This is a HUGE favorite in our home. Great pictures, sturdy board format, repetitive language, simple sentences and fall vocabulary makes this one a perfect fit for a large age range. My almost 6 year old still enjoys this one!

Baby Loves Fall!: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Karen Katz (ages 1-4): Karen Katz’s series of Baby lift-the-flap books are always a hit. This book has bright, colorful pictures, simple language, and fun flaps to lift and discover.

Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson (ages 2-4): Mouse stars in a series of books by author Laura Thompson. In Mouse’s First Fall, Mouse is learning all about the leaves in fall in this delightful picture book perfect for toddlers.

Age 3 and Up

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves! by Lucille Colandro (ages 3-6): The Old Lady is up to her shenanigans again! She is starving and swallowing everything FALL related! The repetitive nature of this book along with the silliness is sure to be enjoyed by the preschool and early elementary aged kids.

Let It Fall by Maryann Cocca-Leffler (ages 3-6): Cute pictures and fall vocabulary great for the preschool set.

We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt by Steve Metzger (ages 3-7): If your kids like Going on a Bear Hunt they will LOVE this book. Children go on a leaf hunt and learn about different types of tress and their leaves.

Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber (ages 3-7): Great book that discusses different types of leaves and why leaves change color while using rich vocabulary. Great for preschool through early elementary.

Age 4 and Up

Why Do Leaves Change Color?  by Betsy Maestro (ages 4-8): Very cool concept book that explains why leaves changes colors and includes activities that can be done with those leaves.

It’s Fall by Linda Glaser (4 and up): This is a great book that explains what happens to all the animals in the fall and includes activity ideas as well. Great cut-paper art illustrations.

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert (ages 3-8): Leaf Man is headed on an adventure all over. Where will be end up next? Fantastic illustrations using real leaves makes this book a fun and beautiful classic Fall book.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Elhert (ages 4-8): Red leaf, Yellow Leaf dives into the life cycle of trees. This book is rich with vocabulary ideal for older preschoolers and the younger elementary grades.

What are YOUR favorite FALL children’s books?