Millions of children are heading back to school campuses and buildings. As students pick up textbooks and workbooks, parents can supplement their children’s education with these age-appropriate, nonfiction books. A couple of books in this lineup help preschoolers celebrate fall’s abundance.
Fall for Preschoolers
‘A Pinecone!’
By Helen YoonIn this fun picture book, a little girl goes for an autumn walk with her father. She sees a pinecone … then another … and another … and starts picking them up. She starts a collection of a “family” of pinecones, and before she (or her dad) knows it, she’s amassed a whole room of them—along with a few hitchhikers!
The story relies on the illustrations’ clean lines and colors, rather than on text, to evoke the fun and silliness of the characters and the situation they find themselves in. Instead of throwing the pinecones out, the father-and-daughter duo find a creative end for these fall finds.
Parents of preschoolers can relate to children stuffing their pockets with all sorts of objects after a walk in the woods. This is a book preschoolers can understand all on their own—with a little help from the illustrations.
Candlewick Press, 32 pages, Sept. 10, 2024
Apple-picking season may already be underway, depending on your location. In this colorful picture book, a green apple feels sad (and sour!) as it gets passed over during apple-picking season. It starts questioning its purpose. Is it not good enough to be used in pie? Is it not enough to keep the doctor away? The book’s illustrations depict scenes from science history (Isaac Newton and the discovery of gravity) and literature (William Tell), which gives added nuances for parents who want to explain the role of the apple in these stories.
As the apple continues to be overlooked, nature’s reject later discovers that it actually has a sweet role to play in the grand scheme of things. The story explains the beauty of nature’s ability to transform something simple into something magnificent. Perfect for preschoolers and primary elementary students.
Ahoy there! Though this isn’t a book on pirates, it does explain what happens to ships that sink into undersea graves in the open seas.
The author draws inspiration from a real-life Spanish treasure ship that sank off the coast of the Florida Keys during a hurricane in 1733. In “Sunken Ship,” readers follow the journey of one vessel’s transformation from wreckage to blooming underwater garden. As nature takes over the masts, the hull, and the ship’s ballasts (well-labeled in the book’s illustrations), readers will become reacquainted with undersea creatures such as the octopus and the anemone. They’ll also meet new organisms like piddocks and gribbles. Find out how shipwreck remains become a place where coral reefs grow and thrive, providing a home for diverse marine life.
This is a great addition to the “Tiny Habitats” series. Primary elementary students will get lots of facts and fun from this colorfully illustrated book.
Beach Lane Books, 48 pages, Sept. 24, 2024
“Horses!” (2007), by beloved children’s book writer Gail Gibbons, got an update this year. With a new cover, the re-release also offers additional information on horse-grooming tools and clarification of equestrian terms from the original book. It provides a look back at the earliest horses, parts of a horse’s body, different kinds of horses, and interesting trivia for horse-lovers everywhere.
The text is direct, straightforward, and accessible to children of all ages. On each page, the writer illustrates with clean lines and warm tones that are soothing to little eyes. This new and updated version is a great addition to any home library.
Holiday House, 32 pages, May 7, 2024
‘Heroes of World War II: 25 True Stories of Unsung Heroes Who Fought For Freedom’
By Jarret Keene and Ricardo GualbertoMost World War II books focus on important political and military leaders such as Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower. It’s rare to find one that deals with lesser-known personalities—resistance fighters, war photographers, code-talkers, and prisoner interrogators—who contributed to the war effort in their own ways.
In this compilation of biographical shorts, young readers will get to know Ira Hayes, Desmond Doss, and Audie Murphy, as well as fearless fighters from Europe (Oskar Schindler and Geneviève de Gaulle). To capture the essence of a truly global conflict, the book also covers war heroes from Nepal, the Philippines, and India.
The book contains an overview of the war, presented in snippets and blocks of information, making it accessible for readers intimidated by text-heavy histories. Each page is graced with photos and illustrations which add color and light to an otherwise dark time in history. It’s an informative book made interesting for elementary-age students and World War II scholars young and old.
Bushel & Peck Books, 64 pages, May 21, 2024
A Lesson on Gratitude
‘Good Night: Prayers for Bedtime’
By Kenneth Steven and Amberin HuqAn old proverb goes: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Though there is some debate as to whether Aristotle actually said it, the wisdom from this saying is undeniable.
In this wonderful prayer book, readers young and old are reminded of the value of being thankful at day’s end. The constant refrain is seen in almost every page: “We whisper our prayer of thanks for this day.” It’s a reminder that it’s good to be thankful—whether for the beauty of the night sky or for the love given to us by family, friends, and pets. The power of a grateful heart acknowledges that each day is a gift and helps us in our relationships with others. This appreciation offers the balance we sometimes need in this crazy, frenetic life. Perfect for all ages.
Lion Club Books, 32 pages, July 23, 2024
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