Books We’re Loving This Fall at Thorne Nature Preschool in Lafayette, CO
Reading time with Thorne Nature Preschool’s director, Lorene
Celebrating the season with children’s books that inspire outdoor learning and nurture social & emotional growth.
As the days become shorter and the weather gets colder, we’ve found more opportunities to read some fantastic books at Thorne Nature Preschool. Leaf Man, an autumn classic, has helped us usher in the season as the children follow the changing leaves wherever the wind blows. This journey continued with the fun of We’re Going on a Leaf Hunt. Our preschoolers love singing along as we read the tale of three friends on an epic leaf-hunting adventure. Driftwood Days equally anchors us in autumn through meeting a young boy who watches a beaver build a dam on a fall day. One branch slips away, sparking a beautiful story of change, growth, and science as the branch travels through the changing seasons. We’ve further explored the science of nature’s travel in A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds, which has also taught us how we can help those seeds find new homes to bloom.
The Little Black Crow is a great read for curious young minds. In watching a bird fly across all kinds of skies, a young boy is prompted to wonder—beyond where the crow goes—about “family, friends, love, fear, and, above all, self-worth.” We’ve grown closer as a community as we’ve considered these big questions together. Listen offers the perfect alternative for quieting down a busy mind that’s filled with “what ifs.” The children have practiced mindfulness and listening in nature with the aid of this calming picture book.
Some of our favorite books have shown us important lessons about ourselves. If I Were a Tree follows two siblings into woods filled with the courage to branch out and embrace new growth. We’ve enjoyed discussing different types of trees and which ones we might want to be when we grow up. If You Plant a Seed builds on these reflections as children see how one small act of kindness can grow into a plant of shared compassion and joy. The Kindness Book, in its distinctly colorful form, emphasizes that joy is among the greatest values in being kind to others. And in being kind to others, we form stronger friendships! Stick and Stone and Bear’s New Friend are humorous reminders of just how awesome it is to have and be a friend.
We hope these book recommendations can inspire many adventures, conversations, and joyful moments at home!
Discover how Thorne Nature Preschool can help your child thrive by attending one of our open houses this winter. To get started, click on the link below to fill out an interest form!