Filling our home with books is one of my favorite parts of motherhood, and these fall books and activities are ones your family will love.

It’s my hope that beautiful books and compelling stories will help my children develop an eye for beauty and an arsenal of narratives that inspire a virtuous life. As they grow, I pray that the time we spend reading—from picture books to great epics—will cultivate in them a deep affection for literature and a lifelong love of reading.

Sarah Mackenzie, founder of Read-Aloud Revival, offers wonderful advice for bringing books to life at home. She believes that just three simple steps—read, relate, and remember—can lay the foundation for a child’s love of literature.

The cupcake metaphor

To illustrate her method, Mackenzie uses the metaphor of creating a delicious cupcake.

The cupcake itself is the act of reading aloud a beautiful, living book.

To add frosting, you take time to relate and build relationships around the story. How? Through one of the most powerful tools you have: conversation.

“When we talk with our kids about books, we communicate something to them. We communicate that ‘you matter to me,’ ‘what you think matters,’ and ‘I have time for you,’” says Mackenzie.

Even a brief discussion with a young child—say, after reading a Beatrix Potter tale—teaches them the value of curiosity and the importance of slowing down to savor a story.

Then come the sprinkles. These are small, memorable ways to help your child remember the story.

“There are a few keys to why we remember what we remember,” Mackenzie explains, referencing The Power of Moments. “People remember things that are sensory and social. So, if you want someone to remember something, heighten the sensory and social experience.”

One of the easiest ways to add sensory engagement? Food. It can be as elaborate as Turkish Delight while reading The Chronicles of Narnia, or as simple as popcorn during a read-aloud.

And finally, for the cherry on top, you can follow a rabbit trail—exploring related stories from the same time or place. This part is entirely optional, but adds an extra layer of fun and learning.

Inspired by Mackenzie’s approach, here are five fall books you and your children will love—along with some ideas to bring your own literary cupcakes to life:

1. Autumn Story (Brambly Hedge Series) by Jill Barklem

This beloved tale features stunning illustrations and a sweet story of a young mouse who gets lost while exploring the forest. Her community bands together to find her, and her mother welcomes her back with a lullaby and a warm cup of acorn coffee.

Relate & Remember:
Go on an acorn hunt and make your own “acorn coffee.” Try steeping an herbal harvest tea blend, adding maple syrup and cream, and topping it with cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (pretend it’s ground acorn!). Sip and talk about the story together.

2. Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

On a windy day, Leaf Man blows across hills and fields, spotting other leaf-shaped animals along the way. A fun book for both storytelling and leaf identification.Relate & Remember:
Collect colorful leaves and create your own leaf people or animals. Then jump into a leaf pile! Try identifying leaves from the book and describing their features.

3. Flower Fairies of the Autumn by Cicely Mary Barker

This beautifully illustrated book of poems introduces the flowers of fall, each paired with a charming fairy. It’s a wonderful read-aloud and a great way to introduce poetry.

Relate & Remember:
Build a fairy house outside using natural materials. A tree hollow or flower bed corner makes a perfect fairy home. You might even spot your flower fairy while on a walk!

4. The Seasons of Arnold’s Apple Tree by Gail Gibbons

Follow Arnold and his apple tree through all four seasons in this informative and visually engaging book. Gibbons is known for weaving facts seamlessly into kid-friendly narratives.

Relate & Remember:
Pick apples—or grab some from the store—and make applesauce or a pie. Share your favorite parts of the book while enjoying your apple treat.

5. Bear Has a Story to Tell by Philip C. Stead

Bear wants to share a story, but his forest friends are too busy preparing for winter. When spring comes, they’re ready—but Bear has forgotten his tale. A sweet, reflective story about patience, service, and friendship.

Relate & Remember:
Bake cookies together and freeze half for winter, just like Bear’s friends were storing up. Talk about acts of kindness in the story and consider delivering some cookies to a neighbor.

Let these cozy stories and small activities spark joy and connection in your home this fall. And remember: even a simple cupcake—just the story itself—is nourishing. Everything else is just frosting.