A Field Guide to Autumn: Play and Learn in Nature

by Gabby Dawnay, Louise Black (contributor), Dorien Brouwers (illustrator)

A pocket-sized introduction to the wonders of autumn that combines hands-on activities, facts about flora and fauna, and poetry to read in the wild.


A Field Guide to Autumn is a pocket-sized introduction to autumn. Building on children’s natural curiosity about the world around them, this book aims to establish a connection with nature at an early age that will go on to last a lifetime!


Go berry picking, make art out of fallen leaves, identify mushrooms, and build a woodland den. Discover why the weather changes in autumn and how animals prepare for winter.


This book features lyrical poems, hands-on crafts and activities, scientific facts, and identifier pages to help children spot different spiders, leaves, and fungi. Whether a child’s access to nature is in the form of an urban park, a private garden, a field, or a forest, there is so much to discover and experience.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Environment, Nature

64 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Erin Buhr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these nature field guides. The latest in the series is all about autumn and invites you to play and learn in nature with your kids all Fall. Get ready to learn how seeds are spread, enjoy the tastes of Autumn, learn about fungi, identify spider webs and more. On the smaller side, it is easy to tuck these into your backpack and head outside together. These guides all do a lovely job of weaving subject areas together, offering short explorations to fit into your day throughout the Fall, and encouraging you to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty of the seasons. 

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated book is full of autumn inspiration and activity ideas for children. However, American readers should note a few regional differences: what the British refer to as "sycamore" trees are actually a type of maple, not the same as American sycamores which have very different seeds than maples. Additionally, native Buckeye trees are far more common in the U.S. than the European horse chestnut, though the two have very similar leaves and seeds.

[Gina Zappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enamored with this lovely lil book! I added it straight away to my gifts list for all the littles I know!

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am far too old for it, but I did the activities myself and looking through the book, getting involved and seeing the pictures reminded me of doing an autumn project as a little girl. It is then that it became my favourite time of year. I'm letting go of this reluctantly!