Seasons

One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews.

A really simple book, illustrated with photo collage, it tells the story of one very hot day in the city when it's too hot to play outside until the rain comes. Lots of adults think this book is very strange, but it appeals to children because it tells the story of something real using real pictures of a real little girl.

Old Bear by Kevin Henkes.

Old Bear The illustrations are extremely beautiful and the dream sequence is a real treat for the imagination, especially the blueberry rain.

Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

I've recently been struck by exactly how well tuned these classic American books are. Peter wakes up one morning and everything is snowy, he makes pictures in the snow, hits a tree with a stick and decides he's not old enough yet for a snowball fight. No wonder that books by Keats are so well loved by toddlers and preschoolers.

I Am A Bunny by Ole Risom and Richard Scarry

Yes, that Richard Scarry. But from before he was famous for drawing apple cars. The illustrations in this little board book are actually very realistic, each of the butterflies, frogs, flowers and animals are all recognisable. It's surprising and if you haven't seen it before I would recommend it.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke

This book is beautiful and poetic. A slightly neurotic fox named Fletcher is terrified that his favourite tree is dying. His mother's assertions that it's "just autumn" don't help. Luckily the tree ends up being more beautiful than ever and Fletcher gets a nice warm breakfast.

We'll be singing Mr Sun, It's Freezing, It's Freezing I hope I don't Start Sneezing, Incy Wincy Spider and The Leaves are Falling Down and the poem will be one of Ted Hughes' Autumn Nature Notes