What does fall look like where you live? How does your family participate—or not participate in—Halloween? What is the Thanksgiving holiday really all about? Fall brings changes and traditional fun. Enjoy and navigate this season with your children with some of the books on this list.
Changing Seasons
God’s Blessings of Fall, by Jean Matthew Hall. All the sights and sounds of fall in nature in lyrical, whimsical text and sweet illustrations. (Little Lamb Books, 2019)
Snuggle Time Fall Blessings, by Glenys Nellist. Board book with short, rhyming texts and sweet illustrations. A variety of animals enjoy fall activities, ending with a happy feast. Includes brief mention of Halloween and trick-or-treat. (Zonderkidz, 2019).
Halloween Traditions
The Pumpkin Patch Parable, by Liz Curtis Higgs. Out of print but still available from resellers. A farmer grows a pumpkin and turns it into an amazing sight, just like God’s love transforms us and fills us with His love and light. (Tommy Nelson, 1995)
P Is for Pumpkin: God’s Harvest Alphabet, by Kathy-Jo Wargin. Celebrates all the fun and beauty of the harvest season from A to Z, thanking God for it all. Includes “D is for dress-up” and “T is for trick-or-treat” (the scene is a party) but no specific mention of Halloween. (Zonderkidz, 2008, 2012)
The Pumpkin Gospel, by Mary Manz Simon. As children carve their pumpkin, they hear about how God changes our “ooey-gooey” insides into something beautiful to shine for Him. Glows in the dark! (B&H Kids, 2016)
Let’s Shine Jesus’ Light on Halloween, by Diane Stortz. Out of print but still available from resellers. With Jesus’ light and love in our hearts, we don’t have to be afraid of the scary side of Halloween. (Standard Publishing, 2002)
Thanksgiving
God Gave Us Thankful Hearts, by Lisa Tawn Bergren. A young wolf pup learns the secret to a happy, thankful heart and that God is the giver of all good gifts. (Waterbrook, 2016)
The Story of the Pilgrims, by Katharine Ross. A simple retelling of the beginnings of the American Thanksgiving holiday. (Random House, 1995)
The First Thanksgiving: Step Into Reading, Step 3, by Linda Hayward. For early-grade readers to read on their own and for families to share, an accurate retelling of the Pilgrims’ experience and the first Thanksgiving feast. (Random House, 1990, 2003)
Making God’s wonders known to the next generation,