Alex “Autumn . . . the year’s last, loveliest smile.”
-John Howard Bryant
With winter holidays underway or just around the corner, I know that many of us have already dispensed with autumn paraphernalia in favor of all things winter. But we do not officially say goodbye to fall until tomorrow, on the winter solstice. So if you’re looking for a way to lean into these last, precious moments of fall, give one of the titles below a try!
I was first introduced to the world of Brambly Hedge through a set of Royal Doulton plates that my grandmother gave to me when I was a child. Each plate featured an illustration from one of the four seasonal Brambly Hedge tales, and so I associated the cozy scenes with their respective seasons long before I actually got my hands on any of the books–the series being an import from the UK.
Though they were first published in 1980, the stories of the Brambly Hedge mice are still appealing in 2020; atmospheric and brimming with awe for the tiniest marvels of nature, the seasonal series is my favorite–but there are others, if you’re looking for even more hedgerow action. And Barklem’s illustrations (including complex cross-sections of the mouse dwellings) possess a detail and charm that recalls the nature-infused art of Beatrix Potter.
Autumn Story is underscored by a sense of urgency surrounding the fall harvest and the disappearance of the young mouse Poppy; the lingering warmth and curiosity of its opening pages give way to graver conditions in much the same way that autumn gives way to winter. Poppy’s misadventure ends happily, of course, seeing her tucked into her “comfy bed” at home. But the “mug of hot acorn coffee” that sits at her bedside feels all the more comforting for the cold winds and thick mists that the audience has endured with her on a stormy autumn night.
Perhaps a tad suspenseful for the youngest children at bedtime, Autumn Story is an exciting romp through the underbrush of fall that will no doubt spark the imagination of older children and adults alike.
This unique, posthumously-published title is perhaps a diamond in the rough–but a diamond nonetheless. The text is copyright of Hollins University, one of Brown’s alma maters–and HarperCollins describes it as “previously-unpublished;” one can only deduce that the narrative of A Home in the Barn is sourced from Brown’s unfinished work, which, as some reviewers note, makes for an at times slightly awkward read.
But what this book lacks in lexical polish, it makes up for in the loving detail that Brown uses to paint a barn brimming with life. And on the topic of painting, the crown jewel of A Home in the Barn is Caldecott Medalist Jerry Pinkney’s stunning illustrations. In his artist’s note, Pinkney discusses his desire to express “the blustery wind and the barn itself” as supporting characters, and through environmental cues–like tousled grass and horses’ manes–in addition to illustrated onomatopoeia, he undoubtedly succeeds.
A beautiful portrait of farm life, full of warmth and messages of togetherness and hope, A Home in the Barn will resonate with nature enthusiasts of any age.
I’ve gushed about the works of this talented duo before, so I’ll spare you all another long-winded sermon–for now. But suffice it to say, In the Middle of Fall boasts all the charm and perfect simplicity of the other Henkes and Dronzek seasonal picture books.
Ideal for younger children, this brief book meditates on the joys of autumn–particularly those like pumpkins and apples that permeate children’s daily fall lives. Dronzek’s illustrations–as always–complement the lyrical text with their bold, bright colors and clear outlines.
And though we’re a bit past the middle of fall, this story–like the rest of its companions–bleeds seamlessly into the upcoming season. A perfect tool to discuss these changes with your children, In the Middle of Fall reminds readers that seasonal moments are often fleeting. Bookending the narrative with observations of the sky, Henkes reminds us that before long, “the sky will be white and empty–ready to fill up with snow.”
A 2020 release, Woodland Dreams is that perfect gift book for the artistic, outdoorsy kid in your life. Each page juxtaposes a delicately-rendered scene of the protagonist and her black lab exploring the woods around their home with a poetic description of a different woodland animal. (For added charm, each animal is referred to by a nickname like “Big Paws” or “Swift Legs.”)
Children will delight in puzzling out each creature and learning more about the winter-time whereabouts of even the tiniest forest-dwellers. And once they’re “tucked in tight” like “Small Boots” and her dog, they can admire all the drawings she made on her trek to inspire their own “woodland dreams.”
