September is a perfect time to start celebrating the bounty of Fall. Here are some delicious reads that you can feature in a fun food themed storytime perfect for young readers ages two to five years old. If possible, invite a local farmer or grower to bring some of their crops in for a demonstration so little ones can explore and experience Fall’s bounty for themselves. If that is not available, see about picking up some of the featured fruits and veggies at your local stores or farm stand. For an easy to share snack serve small cups of store bought unsweetened applesauce. Keep the container handy in case of any questions about food allergies and make sure to advertise that food will be served.
Apples
Bad Apple by Huw Lewis Jones and Ben Sanders
Meet Bad Apple who causes problems for everyone he encounters until he meets a snake who puts him in his place. The sequel Apple Grumble is equally charming and funny. (Fans of Jory John’s Food Group books will enjoy these read-a-likes).
Apples Here! by Will Hubbel
This beautiful illustrated book follows the entire growth cycle of an apple tree from the bare stems of Winter to late Fall after all the apples are harvested.
Apple Cake: A Gratitude by Dawn Casey
This beautifully illustrated book thanks all the things in nature that led to the creation of a delicious apple cake. Recipe included.
Pumpkins
The Great Pumpkin Contest by Angie Rozelaar
Two feline neighbors work hard to grow pumpkins in their yards, but learn that being friends is even more important than winning.
Pumpkins by Ken Robbins
A non fiction title that clearly shows the growth cycle of a pumpkin from seed to fully grown. Illustrated with photos taken from working farms it nicely balances factual information and large scale photographs.
It’s a Pumpkin by Wendy McClure
This book starts with a group of animals who find a pumpkin in the road, but they have no idea exactly what it is. After many interesting ideas and iterations they still don’t figure it out, but readers will have plenty of funwatching the pumpkin change from pumpkin to seed and back again.
Vegetables
The Ugly Vegetables by Grace Lin
While all her neighbors plant gardens full of flowers the unnamed girl of this story helps her mother plant Chinese vegetables. While they are not the prettiest they make a delicious soup that brings all the neighbors together.
Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert
An urban rooftop garden provides the perfect spot for growing vegetables.Follow along as each veggie is sent off to sleep by worm so they can rest and grow another day.
Goodnight Veggies by Diana Murray
An urban rooftop garden provides the perfect spot for growing vegetables.Follow along as each veggie is sent off to sleep by worm so they can rest and grow another day.
Sweet Potatoes
Little Sweet Potato by Amy Beth Bloom.
Poor Sweet Potato finds himself separated from all friends. He goes all around the farm trying to find a place to fit in, but is rejected for being lumpy and bumpy until he finds friends who accept him exactly as he is.
For those looking for a crafty tie in, teach your young patrons a magic trick: transform apples into pumpkins. Slice apples in half and dip them into orange paint and print them on paper to make an apple into a pumpkin.
Today’s guest contributor is Monica Williams. Monica is a Children’s librarian at the Port Jefferson Free Library located in Port Jefferson, NY Long Island. She received both her BA and MA in Art History from SUNY Stony Brook. She has been working as a librarian for over 17 years.She loves being creative and crafty and sharing those skills with others through her library programming.
Core Competencies: This post addresses the core competencies of ALSC III- Programming Skills and IV-Collection Knowledge and Management
Please note that as a guest post, the views expressed here do not represent the official position of ALA or ALSC.
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The post Fall Harvest Stories – These Books Look Good Enough to Eat! appeared first on ALSC Blog.
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