Autumn Picture Books

Summer is winding down and cooling off...trees are showing tinges of orange and gold...days are growing shorter...what better time to cuddle up with a little person and a story book?  Here are two of our family favorites. Both are written and illustrated by beloved Swedish children's author Elsa Beskow.

Woody, Hazel and Little Pip.  Written and illustrated by Elsa Beskow 1939. Available on amazon for a mere $9.95.

On a windy wild autumn day,  Woody and Pip, the two little acorn boys disappear while Mrs. Acorn and Mrs. Hazelnut gossip over coffee in their cozy oak tree house. Never fear, big sister Hazel, aided by impatient Mr. Squirrel sets off to find them.
Meanwhile, Woody and Pip have been pressed into service by the old gnome women, delivering freshly laundered beards to the gnomes. While searching for her brothers,  Hazel meets a magpie,  a gnome who lives in a mushroom and sells herbs, a grouchy troll in a juniper bush, and finally two gnomes hiding in a hollow tree, who turn out to be a disguised Woody and Pip.
On their way back home on an improvised lily pad raft, they meet the Chestnut Boys with whom they play. All is fun until a scolding Mr. squirrel shows up and hastens them home. Mr. And Mrs. Acorn are mad--but so relieved that the boys are safe they throw a party to which animals, bugs, elves and all are invited for a happy and magical ending.

This is a perfect book for ages 2-6...or those peculiar grown ups who love beautiful children's books.
Modern kids suffer so much from nature deprivation syndrome or whatever it's called. This book not only transports us to a magical forest, but it's almost sure to inspire some creative outdoor play.








Christopher's Harvest Time.   Elsa Beskow. 1920. Available on amazon for only $15.48!         Christopher is an only child, and one lovely autumn day he takes his new ball out to the garden to play...but surprise...there's a strange new boy there to play with him.
The boy, named September, tells Christopher strange riddles and plays a reed-pipe. Suddenly, all the plant spirits become visible. The gooseberry boys tussle over Christopher's new ball, Old Man Currant gripes about the time, the scarecrow complains of his rheumatism. The bean and pea ladies dance, and Mrs. Bramley, the apple tree, gives Christopher and his mysterious new friend apples, plays the lute and sings. The Misses Plum tease, and the Strawberries march pompously, while brash Mrs. Cabbage spouts off.
Finally, all the garden people gather together and September plays the lute and they all sing Song of Autumn.
       
             "The sun is still high in the sky,  
               Giving warmth and glee;
                Fruit and flowers all colorful
                Glow with good cheer.
                So come and dance with me,
                For autumn's here."

The illustrations are exquisite, perfectly capturing the different persona of the plants, and the warm, rich abundance of autumn.