Our Autumn TBR list of Children’s Classics

It’s mid-Autumn and high time that I wrote an Autumn TBR List. I wanted to share a mix of old and new favourites that my children have loved over the years.

For me, Autumn always makes me think of new beginnings because the new school terms in Britain starts in September. Autumn also puts us in the mood for adventures and books with a spooky twist.

I’ve come to realise that the books I grew up with in the UK might be different to those that are favourites in other parts of the world. So with that in mind, I’d love to hear from you too. What would you consider a classic children’s book to read during the Autumn months?

I’m currently writing this post on the Substack app whilst on holiday in Wales so you’ll have to forgive the list-style format. To be honest, I’m not even sure what this post will look like once published! Over the coming weeks and months, I’ll be adding more detailed posts on all of our favourites.

Themes we love during the Autumn months

• Books with a back to school theme, particularly those that are set within a boarding school - like Malory Towers

• Books that are set within the natural world, such as The Animals of Farthing Wood and Brambly Hedge

• Books that observe the seasons - Anne of Green Gable, for example

• Books that take the reader on an adventure - like The Hobbit

• Books with a supernatural theme, such as The Children of Green Knowe

Picture Books

Visual literacy is a vital part of the reading process and for that reason, we continue to read picture books. They are great as a short teatime read or when we are between longer chapter books.

• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson

• Brambly Hedge Autumn Story by Jill Barklem

• Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

• Autumn with Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel

• Autumn by Gerda Muller

• The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Chapter Books

Books to read as part of a read aloud session or part of independent reading. I’ve aimed to put them in order (in terms of length) with shorter chapter books at the start of the list.

• Winnie The Pooh by A.A Milne

• Paddington Bear by Michael Bond

• The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

• The Witches by Roald Dahl

• Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

• The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

• The Animals of Farthing Wood by Colin Dann

• Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone by JK Rowling

• The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M Boston

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

• The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkien

What would you add?

What books say ‘Autumn!’ To you? I’d love to read your suggestions…