LIS 517 | Children’s Literature and Media
Children’s Resource List
ALSC Competencies: II, IV
In Literature and Media for Children we discussed the different kinds of books and resources that libraries can offer to children. Each week, we had to write a report on a book that was nominated for a different children’s book award. A few of my favorites were Hot Dog by Doug Salati and Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan. This class showed me a lot about the different ways to engage with younger patrons. I have been working in the youth services department of a public library for the past three years and when I first began this program, I remember feeling like although I had the on-the-job experience, I wanted to learn the more technical aspects of the role. This was one of the classes where I feel like I learned the technical skills the most. Learning specifically about the different kinds of children’s books and the awards for children’s books was particularly interesting and I can see that being very helpful in my career. The assignment that I am including is the Children’s Book and Resource List that I created for my final project. I chose to include this assignment because I feel like it really demonstrated what I learned about what books I should be recommending and how to create a guide to access resources.
Autumn Book and Resource List
I chose this theme because I feel like Autumn has become a very popular topic over the past few years. The autumn aesthetic has become incredibly popular with teens and adults, but there are so many books, movies, websites, and video games that lend themselves to younger audiences as well. I think that this list is a great primer for kids aged 6-10 to explore the science of falling leaves, the fun of cozy autumn activities, and the magic of what makes this season special.
Book Recommendations
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert
This book by Lois Ehlert uses real photographs of leaves changing in Autumn to tell the story of how trees grow, how sap circulates, and how roots absorb nutrients.
Ehlert, L. (2012). Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. Paw Prints.
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall by Kenard Pak
Follow the main character as she goes through town exploring how the Autumn season has changed the world around her. Her neighborhood shifts as it moves from Summer to Fall.
Kenard Pak. (2016). Goodbye summer, hello autumn. Henry Holt And Company.
Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington
Join Annie the apple farmer as she prepares for her busiest season. Watch as she picks the apples and makes different tasty treats with them, and eventually goes into town to sell them.
Wellington, M. (2012). Apple Farmer Annie. Dial.
Tractor Mac: Autumn Is Here by Billy Steers
It’s up to Tractor Mac to show Fergus the calf how amazing Autumn is. Fergus doesn’t want Autumn to come, so Mac has to show him all the fun you can have in Autumn.
Steers, B. (2019). Tractor Mac: Autumn Is Here. Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR).
Hedgehugs: Autumn Hide and Squeak by Steve Wilson
Hedgehogs Horace and Hattie are exploring their forest in Autumn when they hear a squeak! Join them as they learn where the sound came from and make a new friend.
Wilson, S. (2017). Hedgehugs: Autumn Hide-and-Squeak. Henry Holt and Company (BYR).
Leaves Fall Down: Learning About Autumn Leaves by Lisa Bullard
This nonfiction book discusses the science behind why leaves change colors and fall down off of the trees during Autumn every year.
Bullard, L., & Takvorian, N. (2011). Leaves fall down : learning about autumn leaves. Picture Window Books.
Little Red’s Autumn Adventure by Sarah Ferguson
Over in Buttercup Cottage, Little Red is getting ready for the Great Harvest Festival with her friends when they come across two lost mice. She shrinks down to their size in order to help them find their way again.
Duchess, S., & Williams, S. (2009). Little Red’s autumn adventure. Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.
Fall is for Friends by Suzy Spafford
Suzy Ducken and Emily Marmot are waiting to get the leaves to fall from the trees. They try singing, dancing, and cheerleading. But together, they use their imaginations to play in the leaves.
Spafford, S. (2003). Fall is for Friends. Scholastic.
It’s Fall! By Renee Kurilla
All the best parts of the season are outlined in It’s Fall! By Renee Kurilla. Fuzzy socks, donuts, cider and pies, and all your favorite things about Autumn are outlined.
Kurilla, R. (2023). It’s Fall! Little Brown.
Autumn Leaves Fall by Amber Hendricks
Different animals scurry through the forest as the leaves turn from green to yellow, orange, red, and brown. Follow the creatures as they explore Autumn in their home!
Hendricks, A. (2022). Autumn Leaves Fall. Amicus Ink.
Additional Media
It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
This classic TV special tells the story of how Charlie Brown and his friends explore the different activities of Autumn.
Melendez, B. (Director). (1966). It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. ABC.
Pooh’s Grand Adventure
Join the classic characters of Hundred Acre Wood as they embark on a journey to rescue Christopher Robin after they read a note that says he’s at a place called Skull.
Guers, K. (Director). (1997). Pooh’s Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin. Disney Television Animation.
Coco
Join Miguel as he accidentally finds himself in the Land of the Dead and tries to find his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. He teams up with Hector in order to find de la Cruz before time runs out.
Unkrich, L. (Director). (2017). Coco. Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
This classic stop-motion animation film by Tim Burton tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of the Pumpkin Patch in Halloweentown as he learns about Christmas and tries to bring it into his world.
Selick, H. (Director). (1993). The Nightmare Before Christmas. Walt Disney Pictures.
ExploreFall.com
Explorefall.com (https://www.explorefall.com/)
This website explores the different foliage by state and features an interactive foliage map, as well as additional resources for users.
2024 Fall Foliage Map. (2024). Explorefall.com. https://www.explorefall.com/
Leafsnap.com
Leafsnap.com (https://leafsnap.com/)
This website identifies the trees in users’ areas by the type of leaves that fall from them. This is a great resource for those who want to learn more about the trees in their area, especially during Autumn.
Home. (n.d.). LeafSnap. https://leafsnap.com/
A Short Hike
In this video game you play as a young bird exploring their surroundings for the first time. The cozy art style and calming gameplay is perfect for fall.
Mark Sparling. (2019). A Short Hike. [Video game].
Bear and Breakfast
This video game lets you run a bed and breakfast for bears! You are a bear trying to manage a B&B in the forest. Try to make customers happy and keep your busy business afloat!
Gummy Cat Studio. (2022). Bear and Breakfast. [Video Game].
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The newest in the animal crossing series allows players to explore the island they find themselves on and turn it into a sprawling community.
Nintendo. (2020). Animal Crossing: New Horizons. [Video Game]
Luigi’s Mansion 3
This funny spooky game centers around Luigi as he explores a haunted mansion looking for ghosts. Solve puzzles and look for clues as Luigi tries to rescue his friends!
Nintendo. (2019). Luigi’s Mansion 3. [Video game.]