When Autumn Comes

by Robert Maass

Large photos and a simple text portray a typical New England autumn.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Science

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 1990

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Photojournalist, documentary film-maker and picture book creator Robert Maass celebrates autumn in this seasonal title, pairing a simple text describing things done in the fall with his own photographs. The activities described and depicted are rural—getting the harvest in, pressing cider, selling pumpkins—and the photographs look like they were taken in upstate New York (or maybe Long Island? there is a shore scene) or somewhere in New England.

I've recently become interested in picture books illustrated with photographs rather than drawings, paintings or other visual arts, and being fond of this season, sought out When Autumn Comes as a result. Maass has created four picture books in this vein, for each of the seasons, as well as the more recent (2011) A Is for Autumn . I found this one fairly engaging, and appreciated that the photographs captured real people doing real things. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the photographs had been a little more colorful, as the bright hues of the season are something I look forward to all year, but the understated images here also capture the feeling of autumn, in its less showy moments. Recommended to those seeking photographic picture books in general, or picture books about autumn and the activities associated with the season.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Autumn comes
By Robert Maass
A little rough read, a good conversation starter . It has great pictures but the ideas are sprinkled though the season and meaning. Makes it need more explanation for the younger child.

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to introduce children to autumn and all its chilly glory!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book for Pre-K through grade 1. I then had students write/draw three signs of autumn.

[Jane Dotson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love children’s books with real life photos.

[Elissa Genry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about what happens in autumn. It discusses the different tasks that have to be done, such as cutting wood and raking leaves, and it also mentions the enjoyable activities to do during this season, like pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, celebrating Thanksgiving, sports. It ends talking about the transition to the cold winter season.

I liked the photographs in this book of the fall in New England because it reminds me of home and it gives children an idea of what all of the things in the book really looks like.

This book could be used in a classroom to discuss seasons and the differences in seasons.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass portrays a typical New England autumn.

Autumn brings sweaters and long pants, birds migrating, and boats pulled onto shore. Autumn marks a new school year, and time to prepare homes for winter, including wood cutting and chimney sweeping. Leaves are raked, crops are harvested and Halloween is celebrated. Shadows lengthen and the first frost arrives. Thanksgiving is celebrated, as heavy coats come out and autumn ends.

The text describes the changes of the Autumn season. Two favorite sentences are "When the first frost comes, the cold is easy to see." and "Winter's at our heels as autumn ends."

The photographs are large and match the text nearly perfectly. Among my favorites are the chimney sweep, the apple cider, pumpkin people, the stretching shadow, the boy's breath visible and the children on the snowy dock.

This would be a good seasonal read-aloud selection.

For ages 3 to 7, seasons, Autumn, and fans of Robert Maass.

[Asho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great photo essay for introducing (or elaborating on) the season of autumn. My four-year-old seemed to like this, and it's the sort of book I remember enjoying quite a bit as a kid. It was first published in 1990 so the pictures are a bit dated at this point, but not as much as you might expect. I like that the book depicts a wide variety of fall activities, and that it does a bit of a time lapse, taking you from the beginning of fall with the start of school all the way through Thanksgiving to the first snow at the end of autumn/beginning of winter.

[Hannah Sheffield · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would be great to read to students at the beginning of fall. The teacher could then talk to the students about the seasons, months, or even activities in the fall.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice photographic journey through what people do in the fall.

Merged review:

Nice photographic journey through what people do in the fall.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this one to my class every year.

[Shelby]

All of the things that autumn brings for people. School is starting, leaves changing colors as they fall, apples are ripe and cider is pressed. So many fun activities come along. We can't forget to go to the pumpkin patch or to celebrate Halloween. The days will become shorter and frost will be seen when autumn comes to an end.

This was a really simple read and good book. I enjoyed how it was not just the typical about autumn weather it really focused on what people did in autumn.

This book would be a great read aloud to the younger group when learning about the seasons. You could then lead into discussion and ask what they are looking forward to do in the fall.