Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur (illustrated by Leslie Evans) is one of my favorite fall books. It’s a wonderful book for discussing the highlights of the autumn season, acrostics, poetry, or the unique illustration style. So much is wrapped up in each page that it provides not only an enjoyable read aloud, but also an educational experience. It is the first book in a series that includes:
Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic
A single seed
Can feed a squirrel
Or grow into a giant oak that
Rains down new
Nuts every autumn
For the letter N we have NORTH:
Now cold winds come down
Out of Canada and
Rain
Turns to
Hail and then to snow.
Each page is filled with a gorgeous illustration. The hand-colored linoleum cut blocks are rich with detail and evoke a strong sense of warmth and coziness.
I definitely recommend Autumn: An Alphabet Acrostic as part of your homeschool library.
Homeschooling Ideas
Nature Study – Have your children collect a variety of nuts, leaves, and pine cones from outdoors. Nuts can be sorted by shape, color, and size. Leaves can also be sorted by shape, size, and color. Pine cones can be sorted by size and shape. Discuss what is unique about them and what they share in common.
Art – Make leaf rubbings using peeled crayons and white paper. Take your children on a walk to collect a variety of fall leaves in different sizes and shapes. Demonstrate how to place the leaf under the paper and then rub the side of the crayon over the hidden leaf so the texture will show through the paper.
Poetry – Read and discuss poems such as:
- “September” by Helen Hunt Jackson
- “Come, Little Leaves” by George Cooper
- “October’s Party” by George Cooper
Writing – Create acrostics of your own with autumn-themed words related to your family or community.
Handwriting & Copywork – Practice handwriting with these free pages featuring the poem “Autumn Fires” by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Apple Farmer Annie | Picture Book Activities
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