Fall: A Seasons Story

by Kelsey E. Gross, Renata Liwska (Illustrator)

From Kelsey E. Gross and New York Times bestselling artist Renata Liwska comes the next book in the stunning Solstice & Seasons series, this time as the animal pals celebrate fall with a new monarch butterfly friend.

Fall is here, and so is a new friend! Monarch is making her way south before winter arrives, and she needs a safe place to rest. Owl, Mouse, Duck, Rabbit, Squirrel, Chickadee, and Raccoon are ready to lend a helping hand. Soon it’s time for Monarch to continue on her journey, but first a celebration of the season reminds everyone that even when things change, the friends will always have each other.

Genres: Picture Books, Autumn, Childrens, Cozy

Kindle Edition

First published August 25, 2026

About the author

Kelsey E. Gross grew up in Wisconsin and lived in New Mexico and California before returning to the Midwest. She now lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula with her partner, son, and silly, snow-loving pup. When she's not writing, she looks for owls and other forest friends while hiking and skiing in the woods. Kelsey strives to write books that inspire kids – and grown-ups – to take care of one another and the natural world. Find her online at kelseyegross.com

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fall has come to the woodlands, and when Owl spies weary Monarch, resting on her long journey south, he summons the rest of his friends to aid the traveler. Each one brings something to keep her warm and comfortable during her stop, from fuzzy moss and cattail fluff for a bed to a wildflower containing nectar for her to eat. The friends keep watch until Monarch is ready to fly again, and then all celebrate the fall before the butterfly heads on her way again...

Published earlier this year (2026), Fall: A Seasons Story is the third seasonal picture book I have read from American author Kelsey E. Gross and Polish Canadian illustrator Renata Liwska, following upon their Winter: A Solstice Story (2023) and Summer: A Solstice Story (2024). I was a tad disappointed to see that it wasn't about the Fall Equinox, given that the earlier two highlighted cardinal points of the solar year, but leaving that aside, it was a sweet little autumn tale. I was charmed by the fact that it featured a monarch butterfly during this season, as so many other butterfly stories focus on the summer. I also found the digital artwork every bit as lovely as the previous two titles, with a soft and welcoming feeling, and a wonderfully warm autumnal color palette. I think the text here was weaker than in previous titles—somehow it felt disjointed, alternating between rhyming dialogue and prose description—but overall I still enjoyed this one, and would certainly seek out any vernal tale this pair might produce. Recommended to picture book audiences seeking sweet friendship-focused stories for the fall.

[Dorie - Cats&Books :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful book about a Monarch who is on her way to fly south - but she is tired and needs a rest.

The forest animals come to her aid, Owl, Mouse, Duck, Rabbit, Squirrel, Chickadee and Raccoon all help in their own ways. They build her a small place to nestle with fuzzy moss and cattail fluff. They make walls out of twigs and a cornstalk for a roof.

They wait with Monarch until she is strong enough to continue her fight south. Before she leaves they celebrate Fall and Owl leads Monarch to the top of an oak tree - her landing strip!

I think this is a great book for perhaps a 3 to 5 year old. The colors are beautiful but very subdued.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this children’s title.

[K G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curl up with a fuzzy blanket and a stuffed animal--this book has all the feels of fall, friendship, and flight! When a monarch butterfly must take a short nap along it's way, a cornucopia of forest friends come together to make the experience positive and successful. It is one of the sweetest stories (along with author Kelsey Gross' other seasons books!). Gross' lyrical language, creative actions each animal generously takes, and interspersed rhyming by the monarch will soothe and delight young children. The animals look so soft and behave with enormous kindness--kids will want to pet them! Highly recommend! Loved it!

[Claire Noland · Rating 5 out of 5]

FALL: A Seasons Story is a glorious celebration of Autumn. The lyrical text welcomes the reader into a cozy forest world where woodland animals work together to help an exhausted Monarch butterfly on its southward migration. The glowing illustrations of nature are as cozy as a warm, soft blanket. The book ends acknowledging that goodbyes are hard but “Even when you’re miles apart, Friends are always in your heart.”
This is a wonderful to book to welcome the change of seasons and is a beautiful addition to the Solstice & Seasons Series written by Kelsey Gross and illustrated by Renata Liwska. Highly recommended.

[Kris Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s fall! Monarch is making her way south before winter sets in, but needs to stop and rest for a while. All the forest animals get together and offer hospitality, from nectar to sip to a twig and corn husk tent. When Monarch is rested and ready to resume her journey, everyone celebrates fall first—honking, quacking, hooting, chittering! The rhyming and lyrical text by Kelsey E. Gross will sooth and capture young children. And the warm and vibrate illustrations by Renata Liwska add a cozy fall feeling. I received an advanced readers copy.

[Nathan Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a warm and gentle picture book to celebrate fall. The illustrations are super cozy, with absolutely adorable animal characters. My kids love them. The story touches on friendship, helping others, changes in nature, caring for the world around us, and celebrating the changing seasons. The interspersed rhyme and animals helping the monarch butterfly gain the strength to fly south reminded me of Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson, which is a favorite. A sweet choice for fall reading at home or in a classroom.

[Lydia Lukidis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall: A Season’s Story is a charming and heartwarming picture book that celebrates autumn, friendship, and kindness. I especially loved the kid friendly elements woven throughout the story, making the science and nature concepts accessible without feeling like a lesson. The woodland characters are engaging and relatable, while the monarch butterfly’s migration adds an intriguing touch of wonder. The cozy fall setting, gentle storytelling, and emphasis on helping others make this a delightful read for young children.

[Samantha Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a precious fall story!!! I'd definitely add it to my fall themed collection or nature collection. It's giving all the peaceful fall vibes you could ever want, a little monarch (so you get to learn a little about how incredible a monarch's journey is), and a host of kind and caring critters to help the monarch recuperate for the rest of her migration. It's peacefully written and beautifully illustrated. If you want a warm and cozy bedtime read, an introduction into seasons and/or monarchs, or just a cute story about communities, this is the one!

[Natasha Khan Kazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

FALL: A Seasons Story by Kelsey Gross, illustrated by Renata Liwska, is a warm and gentle celebration of autumn, friendship, and caring for others. When a weary monarch butterfly needs a place to rest during her long journey south, a cast of woodland friends comes together to help her recharge. The lyrical text and cozy, expressive illustrations create a soothing read-aloud that feels like a warm blanket on a crisp fall day. A lovely choice for families, classrooms, and libraries looking for a story about kindness, community, and the changing seasons.

[Nora Nickum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, wonderful book to celebrate the fall season! Woodland animals help Monarch Butterfly rest and regain strength for the long migration, using their own skills and things kids too can find in nature in the fall, like cattail fluff and crinkly corn husks. Community and friendship are the thread running through this heartwarming new book in a lovely and cozy series by Kelsey Gross and Renata Liwska.

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of adorable illustrations accompanied by a friendship theme, FALL: A Seasons Story immerses you in a warm and welcoming animals' world. This picture book teaches about seasons, talks about friendship across distance, and even discusses monarch migration. Crafted with gorgeous fall depictions, lyrical language, and multiple hooks to draw the young reader in, this book provides all the cozy feels reminiscent of the season at hand.

[Donna Marx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall: A Seasons Story is a book about the migration of monarchs, but more importantly about friendship. A group of animals work together to protect their friend and ensure that she can continue her journey. The lyrical language and infused rhyming text make for a cozy read about Fall - a favortie season for many. The art is beautiful and causes one to linger on each page. This is a perfect "quiet" book for your bedtime collection.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a tired Monarch butterfly prepares to fly south at summer’s end, a group of forest friends gathers to help her rest before sending her off with a autumn celebration. Kelsey E. Gross’s lyrical, rhyming text pairs seamlessly with Renata Liwska’s cozy, expressive illustrations to create a gentle celebration of nature, changing seasons, and friendship. Warm, beautiful, and comforting—this picture book is an absolute cozy autumn treat!

[Jyoti Gopal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is fall and nature is getting ready to rest for the long winter. But when Owl spies a Monarch butterfly too tired to follow her companions on their migration southward, rest is the furthest thing from Owl’s mind! He reaches out to his forest friends and together they make Monarch comfortable and safe until she feels string enough to leave. A warm gentle story about friendship, community and kindness.

[Caroline Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful, cozy celebration of autumn! When a weary monarch Butterly needs to rest during her long migration, woodland animals come together to make sure she has a comfortable place to recharge. In this latest installment in the "seasons" series, Gross's soothing, lyrical text pairs perfectly with Liwska's soft, endearing illustrations. A charming addition to any home, school or library collection!

[Susan]

As a Monarch prepares to fly south at summer’s end, the other animals help her rest. Once she’s rested and ready to continue her journey, the animals welcome the arrival of fall and send her on her way. Kelsey E. Gross’s lyrical text & Renata Liwska’s warm illustrations create a beautiful celebration of nature and the seasons.

[Alliekbreads17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an advanced copy received from Netgalley
This book was read with my 8 year old and 5 year old boys. They both loved this book. It comforts children who are separated from friends, which my children recently dealt with. This book offers hope and a great fun message with a monarch butterfly. My 8 year old is very intrigued with these butterflies so it held his attention too.

[JWPreK · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful story about fall and friendship. The illustrations are beautiful and soothing to look at. I look forward to adding this to my Fall unit and also use the story to remind my preschoolers about how we all have something to bring to a friendship.

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy.

[Brandi Uyemura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warm and cozy, this book is autumn wrapped up in a book. With soft and whimsical illustrations, the story shares the changing seasons through the flight of a monarch. I love how the animals care for each other and the comforting pace of the story. It would make a soothing bedtime read as well as a great resource for kids learning about the seasons and as we transition from summer to fall.

[Jilanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With thoughtful woodland friends who help a tired monarch rest before she continues on her journey south, this is a lovely ode to friendship. But it also highlights elements of the Fall season, and as with the other two books in this series, the soft-edged illustrations and the earthy palette give the book a cozy, snuggly feel. Perfect for bedtime or anytime! Beautiful book!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Fall, by Kelsey E. Gross, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is a delightful read! Monarch is tired and needs a rest, the animals take care of the butterfly until she can fly again. Loved the illustrations and the story.

[Neha Rawat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story about community, friendship, and helping each other. Adorned with soft lyrical writing and illustrated with warm soothing color palette and adorable characters. Different animals come together to help Monarch rest before it gathers strength to fly south where it’s warm.

[Jen MacGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely story about a group of animal friends who work together to take care of a monarch butterfly resting before her next flight. With its soft, sweet illustrations, this picture book is perfect for cuddling up on a blustery fall day.

[Brenna Jeanneret · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent portrayal of community, friends coming together and the seasons of both life and nature. A sweet, heartfelt look at what it means to be a true friend. And Liwska's illustrations are soft, sweet, vibrant and full of fall colors.

[Kari Gonzalez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall: A Seasons Story is the warmth of a best friend's hug and the embodiment of community lending a helping hand. Beautifully written text, and rich, golden-hued illustrations make this a perfect story to cozy up to this Fall, and any season, with ones we love.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book has that elusive "aww" factor that makes it a joy to read aloud with children. We enjoyed the lovely lyrical language, themes of kindness and friendship, and delightful illustrations. I was thrilled to add this beautiful book to my own Solstice & Seasons Series collection!

[Bonnie Kelso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Appreciate fall as a time for rest and restoration, as a butterfly decides she needs a nap before her long journey south. Her adorable fuzzy friends help her feel safe and card for. Part of a beautiful series with calming prose, seasonal information, and gorgeous illustrations. Highly recommend!

[Ryann Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful, lyrical story about friendship and fall. The artwork is adorable and so are the actions the creatures take to help a tired monarch butterfly rest before flying south for the winter. Definitely worth a read!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from NetGalley for my honest review.

This was a cute story! It was such a good lesson on kindness, and how one person might not be able to do everything, but everyone can do something. And when we join together it makes a big difference.

[Dylan Teut · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite in the Seasons series thus far- and several pieces of text that could be turned into a refrain that is singable.