Autumn Children’s Books and Outdoor Play

Amy Barry, Program Manager, Smart Start of Buncombe County, likes The Dandelion Seed (by Joseph Anthony, Illustrated by Cris Arbo). She says, “A related activity is a seed search. Children put adult athletic socks (high ones) on over their shoes and pants and walk in an area where there are grasses/plants with seed heads. They examine what they collect on their socks, to determine which plant it came from and how it got there (wind borne or from brushing against their legs).” This book, particularly the illustrations, should inspire many other fall activities.

Anthony and Arbo also collaborated on In a Nutshell, which tells the life story of the oak, from acorn to mighty, mature oak. With the many acorns to be found right now (you will have to beat the squirrels to them), autumn is the perfect time for this book, as well.