Recommended Reads - Our Bookshelves in Autumn

Well hi there Autumn! Where did you come from?

Here’s a little look at some of the books we’ve been enjoying over the last few weeks. Recently a follower messaged me to ask if I could recommend books with less writing as her toddler didn’t listen for long enough to finish the story. We read lots of long books, usually I abridge them until Alfie is familiar with the story and illustrations and we eventually build up to the whole story.

Friends

This is a treasure of a book! Alfie is obsessed with farming, in fact obsessed might be an understatement so the setting of this story is perfect.

This beautifully illustrated story explores the familiar scenario of two young friends falling out and reconciling. Alfie requests it several times a day.

A Year In Nature

I harbour a natural scepticism for books that cross the line from literature into toy but this book has found a permanent place on our bookshelves.

The same scene is represented in each season, the realistic illustrations and the peekaboo pop ups provide the perfect invitation to play. Alfie and I have had some great conversations about changing seasons and what the animals would be doing in each. Alfie plays with this book several times a day and loves filling the pages with his Schleich woodland animals.

After The Storm

Initially Alfie hated this book which I found very upsetting as this was one of my favourite childhood books. Once I gave up on it he decided he liked it after all.

While it is beautiful and fun it’s not Montessori appropriate, depending on where you stand on the fantasy debate you may want to give it a miss.

The Night Gardener

I borrowed this from the library more for myself than Alfie but he surprised me (as he so often does) by loving this tale!

The illustrations are some of the nicest I’ve ever seen and the story is enchanting. This books feels magical and slightly nostalgic. We both love it.

Time Now To Dream

Sam and Alice hear a strange noise in the woods and go to investigate. Helen Oxenbury has once again created the whimsical, pastoral world we’ve come to expect from her.

We can’t get through bedtime without Alfie hollering “Sam and Alice!” so I guess that means he likes it?

Hello Horse

This is a beautiful book, full of stunning realistic illustrations that tell the story of a little boy overcoming his fear to ride a horse for the first time.

When this first arrived Alfie and I were both instantly enchanted. He remains enchanted and demands Hello Horse several times a day. For me the novelty wore off on the 10,000th read but I’d still recommend it!

A Year Around the Great Oak

I’m not keen on most seasonal fiction, in most books the plot seems to be an after thought to falling leaves and apple picking but not where Gerda Muller is concerned