The Best Books About Seasons For Kids

When the warm breezes blow after a long, cold winter or the first autumn leaf changes color I
feel my heart stir. My boys can feel there’s a change in the air, too, and somehow this seems to
rejuvenate them just as it does me. To help my kiddos better understand the change that is
occurring I switch out our children’s books for appropriately themed seasonal books. And when
spring is in the air or autumn is all around I choose these times to specifically read books about
seasons.

As a psychology graduate and mom, I've observed how seasonal changes provide powerful opportunities for emotional development in children. When we read books about seasons with our little ones, we're not just teaching them about weather patterns - we're helping them build emotional vocabulary to describe changes in their environment and in themselves. Seasonal transitions serve as natural metaphors for managing life's changes, a skill that builds resilience in children of all ages. - JordanHallie

Why do kids need books about seasons in their lives?

Books are stories and stories have limitless possibilities. Stories allow someone to experience
worlds they’ll never get to travel to, learn from characters they’ll never meet, or do things that
never seemed possible. Countless times I’ve also found stories and books to be best at
explaining the world around us.
If you live where all four seasons are on display during their given months, books can help you
explain the changing weather, temperatures, and environment. Best of all, books about seasons
help you and your child embrace every season in all its beauty.
Books about seasons are especially needed for my three boys. We live on the Gulf Coast, which
means we don’t experience all four seasons. I definitely miss the snowy winters and the colors in
the fall! Books about seasons allow me to experience each season with my boys.

Don’t stop at books about seasons

Poetry is meant to be read aloud.

Children’s picture books are phenomenal but I would be amiss to not mention poetry. We read
and recite poetry daily in our home. Our family’s absolute favorite poetry book is Doubleday’s
Favorite Poems Old and New: Selected for Boys and Girls by Helen Ferris. Seasonal poetry
selections are included as well as a plethora of other topics.
Sing a Song of Seasons: A nature poem for each day of the year selected by Fiona Waters, also
includes beautiful and classical poetry. Although I appreciate Doubleday’s entire collection
choices this poetry book does include illustrations.
An honorable mention is the beautiful book The Illustrated Treasury of Poetry for Children
selected by David Ross. It comes in as an honorable mention because it is difficult to come by.

🌱 FROM MY EXPERIENCE: In my work with children, I've found that multi-sensory experiences deepen learning. When we pair seasonal books with related activities, we create neural connections that strengthen both cognitive understanding and emotional processing. Try asking open-ended questions like "How do you think the bear feels about hibernating?" or "What's your favorite thing about summer?" to help children connect seasonal concepts to their own experiences and emotions. - JordanHallie

Seasonal activities

Next, let’s talk about including your child in learning about the seasons with hands-on activities
and play-based learning opportunities. You can be creative with this. If you’ve selected an apple
cider-making book to read aloud to your child. You can also plan to visit an apple orchard or
bake apple muffins.

Similarly, maybe you’re reading a book about flowers for spring. So, why not try flower pressing?
The ideas are limitless, and you can let the elements in the books guide you too!

If you want to study all four seasons with your child using art, poetry, and a free printable, you
can go to the Study the 4 Seasons post at Playing for Hours.

The top books from each season.

So, I’ve selected 6 books for each season that we love to read in our family. Some are whimsical
while others are educational. But all the books are living books with great writing and beautiful
illustrations.

Spring Books:

When I think of springtime, I think of birds, windy days, rainbows, and blossoms. The following
books feature these themes and more in ways that will ignite your child’s imagination.

1. Nesting by Henry Cole
2. Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
3. Going To Town by Laura Ingalls Wilder
4. A Rainbow Of My Own by Don Freeman
5. Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms by Julia Rawlinson
6. Nest by Jorey Hurley

Summer books:

During summer, nature beckons and children respond. These books are filled with nostalgic
summer activities. Your child will love adventuring both day and at night.

1. Blueberries for Sal by Rober McCloskey
2. The Night Gardener by The Fan Brothers
3. The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher by Beatrix Potter
4. Wind Says Goodnight by Katy Rydell
5. Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
6. Summertime In The Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Fall books

Warm colors contrast the cooling temperatures when fall arrives. And so do the illustrations in
this selection of books. From nature study to whimsical tales your child will be captivated.

1. Fall Walk by Virginia Brimhall Snow
2. The Scarecrow by the Fan Brothers
3. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
4. A Friendship Yarn by Lisa Moser
5. The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter
6. Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell

Winter books:

As the bitter wind blows and snow accumulates on the frozen ground, there’s no better place to
be than curled up on the couch with a good book. These books will let you experience the cold,
snowy days with your child but in the coziness of your own home.

1. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
2. Snow by Uri Shulevitz
3. Stopping by Woods On A Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and illustrated by P.J. Lynch
4. Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett
5. Winter On The Farm by Laura Ingalls Wilder
6. Winter Is Here by Kevin Henkes

The top 5 books about seasons

The following books are the ones that strongly feature all 4 seasons. From specifically watching
a tree change to how a farm adapts throughout the year, these are perfect books to pick up and
read about all four seasons anytime of the year.

1. Tree: Seasons Come, and Seasons Go by Patricia Hegarty
2. Four Seasons Make A Year by Anne F. Rockwell
3. The Year At Maple Hill Farm by Alice and Martin Provensen
4. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons
5. Old Bear by Kevin Henkes

Honorable mentions

The following book series by Kenard Pak doesn’t fit into one season or the other, but I had to include them in this list because they are excellent books about seasons. They are, Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn. Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter. And Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring.

Don’t miss reading books about seasons to your child

In conclusion, these carefully selected books will undoubtedly ignite your child’s imagination and encourage them to observe the world around them. Moreover, I strongly encourage you to read picture books, poetry, and engage in activities with your child to help them understand the changing world around them. Fortunately, the best part is that you don’t have to wait to start reading books about seasons; in fact, whatever season you’re currently experiencing is perfect to pick up a seasonal book and begin incorporating this into your home’s routine. If you’re interested in more book recommendations, play-based learning activities, poetry ideas, or homeschool encouragement, you can certainly check out my site, Playing for Hours. I’m Julie, and I genuinely look forward to seeing you over there!

🌈 DEVELOPMENTAL JOURNEY
Experiencing the full cycle of seasons through literature gives children a framework for understanding life's natural rhythms and transitions. This understanding builds cognitive flexibility and emotional resilience as children learn that change is normal and often beautiful. When we help children connect with seasonal changes through books, we're providing them tools to navigate their own developmental seasons with confidence and wonder. - JordanHallie

About The Author – Julie Owner of Playingforhours.com

Homeschooling Mom

Julie is a dedicated homeschooling mom to three lively boys, whose energy and curiosity inspire her every day. With a background as a public school teacher, her journey into homeschooling began long before her children arrived. This path was further shaped by her deep understanding of the challenges faced by military families. Having witnessed firsthand the instability that frequent moves and
transitions can bring to a child’s education—especially for military kids—Julie knew she wanted
something different for her own family. When she married her husband, an Air Force man, her
resolve strengthened, and she made the heartfelt decision to homeschool their future children,
providing them with a stable, nurturing, and joy-filled learning environment.

Her Passion

Today, Julie enthusiastically pours her passion into creating a home brimming with play, laughter, and connection. Fundamentally, she believes that joy is the heartbeat of a thriving family, and consequently, she’s made it her mission to weave that philosophy into every corner of her household. Through her blog, Playing for Hours (playingforhours.com), Julie generously opens her world to others, thereby offering encouragement, practical resources, and creative ideas to help moms and kids alike embrace the magic of play. Whether she’s thoughtfully sharing tips for hands-on learning, imaginative games, or alternatively, simply ways to slow down and savor the moment, Julie’s words consistently resonate with warmth and authenticity.

Homemaking

As the dedicated keeper of her home, Julie consistently finds deep fulfillment in the art of homemaking. Throughout her daily routine, from whipping up hearty meals in the kitchen to subsequently baking treats that fill the house with irresistible aromas, she genuinely delights in nourishing her family. Indeed, her hands are rarely still—whether she’s meticulously knitting a cozy scarf, patiently tending to her thriving garden, or diligently caring for her backyard chickens, Julie wholeheartedly embraces these tasks as meaningful acts of love. Ultimately, for her, homemaking isn’t just a duty; rather, it’s a vibrant canvas for creativity and furthermore, a powerful source of joy that she enthusiastically hopes to inspire in others.

When she’s not chasing after her boys or dreaming up new adventures for her blog, Julie can
be found sipping tea with a good book, dreaming of her next project, or simply soaking in the
chaos and beauty of life with her family. Through her work and her life, she invites others to join
her in rediscovering the simple, profound power of play—and the happiness it brings to both
little hearts and big ones.
Follow Julie on Instagram and Facebook for more ways to create play and discover joy in your
home.