It's Fall!

Celebrate the Seasons #1

by Renee Kurilla

An homage to the joys of the season—from jumping into piles of leaves, to trick-or-treating, to baking tasty meals—written in sweet and simple verse.

Colors bursting, shadows tall. There’s lots to celebrate—it’s fall!

Break out your fuzzy socks and cozy scarves! Bring on the doughnuts, cider, and pies! It’s time for corn mazes, trick-or-treating, and all the Thanksgiving food you can eat.… It’s fall! With playful rhymes and lively illustrations, this celebratory book shows the many ways we welcome and enjoy a special season.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Halloween, Holiday, Juvenile, Thanksgiving

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2023

About the author

Renee Kurilla is a children's illustrator, author, and designer. She loves drawing nature, animals, and working on projects that require a little bit of research.

She has illustrated many books for kids including ORANGUTANKA (by Margarita Engle), CHICKS RULE! (by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen), RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE (by Lisl H. Detlefsen), and the ADA LACE series (by Emily Calandrelli).

ONE SPRINGY, SINGY DAY, Renee's debut picture book as both author and illustrator, publishes in March 2021. THE FLOWER GARDEN, Renee's first young graphic novel, publishes in Spring 2022.

Renee has a BFA in Illustration and a Diploma in Graphic Design from Lesley University College of Art and Design. Before transitioning to a full time career in children’s books, she was a Lead Artist at FableVision Studios in Boston for 10 years.  

She currently lives in MA with her illustrator husband Keith Zoo, their 4 year old daughter, Zoey, and the fluffiest cat in the world, Timmy.
 

Reviews

[Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful children's book. I loved the fall colour palette with cozy shades of orange. Compared to other falls books I read, this one is not spooky at all. Instead it's perfect for people who avoid the creepy aspects of the season. This book instead focuses on pumpkins, falling leaves and Thanksgiving dinner. I would recommend to readers looking for a seasonal book that isn't spooky.

Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[debbicat *made of stardust* · Rating 5 out of 5]

So stinking cute! The littles loved it. 😊
Highly recommended for fall.

[Afaf Ammar · Rating 3 out of 5]

قصة حلوة ودافئة للاحتفال بالخريف برسوم مبهجة ودافئة كالخريف،
أحببتها كحبي للخريف الدافئ🧡🍂🍁🍂🧡

"colors bursting, shadows tall.
There's lots to celebrate, it's fall!"

1 October 2024

[Cathie (ClassyLibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the illustrations and sweet rhyming text.
Perfect for fall storytime!

[Sarah BT · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great new addition to storytime books about seasons.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. All the fall colors palette, rhyming text flows smoothly, fall activities and fun, adorable illustrations, fun endpages, delightful addition to seasons collections

[Guylou (Two Dogs and a Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT'S FALL by Renée Kurilla is an enchanting children's book that radiates the joys of the autumn season. Bursting with vibrant colors and playful verse, it encapsulates the essence of fall's magic. The pages come alive with images of leaf-filled escapades, cozy scarves, and delightful treats. From corn mazes to trick-or-treating, this book captures every cherished fall activity. The simplicity of the rhymes, accompanied by captivating illustrations, makes it an absolute gem. Notably, the book's inclusivity adds an extra layer of warmth. Reading it feels like a celebration of the season's wonders. A delightful addition to any child's collection, IT'S FALL is destined to become a cherished favorite, capturing the hearts of both young readers and their grown-ups alike. I can't wait to read this one to my grandson!

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[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely rhyming picture book about standard fall activities for the preschool/elementary set, starting with back-to-school and ending with Thanksgiving foods. I think this would work really well in a fall-themed storytime, especially because the rhymes flow well and the text-to-picture ratio is perfect for keeping the pages turning. I liked that the color palette was all reds, oranges, yellows, and gray/black - fall colors only.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the perfect Fall book to read to children!!! The artwork with autumn colors makes the book fill like Fall!!! Fun rhyming story!!

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 rounded.

[Teresa Traver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely seasonal picture book. It's great for "spooky season," but it isn't exclusively about Halloween. Instead, it covers major events of autumn beginning with Back-to-School and ending with Thanksgiving. That gives it more flexibility than some seasonal books, as it could be read any time between late August and late November. (Of course, children are often willing to read seasonal picture books at any time of the year, but if you're thinking of when to incorporate it into a classroom or reading circle, it's flexible.)

The artwork is gorgeous, done in shades of orange, brown, beige, etc. Thanks to that palette, the whole book is a riot of autumn color, and I love that about it. The color scheme might be my favorite thing about the book.

My only criticism is that there are a couple of places (1 or 2) where the meter/rhythm seems rough to me. I have not gone through and formally scanned the book, so I can't tell you what the issue is. I just know that there are couple of lines that don't sound quite right. Still, that's a minor issue, and it doesn't stop me from recommending the book.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: Colors bursting, shadows tall.
There's lots to celebrate--it's fall!
Early-morning sunny skies.
Back to school with new supplies.
In class, our teacher asks to hear
what things we love this time of year.

Premise/plot: This picture book celebrates all things fall/autumn. (Think activities in September, October, and November.) It does feel like it is segmented into three distinct categories: the start of school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. It is written in rhyming verse.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the illustrations. The color palette is as awesome as you'd expect. I adored the end pages. The illustrations just won my heart. The text is solid. I liked the rhyming. It does seem to have rhythm--not all rhyme does. So it is 'proper' enough in that aspect.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.

I cannot resist a good book featuring one of the seasons. This one has a fabulous rhyming text to go along with some truly wonderful illustrations that were brimming with everything traditionally fall -- from the content to the colors. Not only do you get a variety of fun fall activities highlighted, but the various holidays also make an appearance. This is a beautifully executed celebration of all things autumn. I see there is a winter one I will need to add to my evaluation list, and, based on what I saw here, I am hoping there will be a spring and a summer forthcoming, to round out the series.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great new book to start off the fall season with by remembering all the things we love. Beginning with the many beautiful colors and warm cozy clothes to scarecrows and corn mazes, this story takes you on a fall journey of your senses. Not only do you see the beautiful and colorful pages, but during reading I could feel, taste, hear, smell and touch everything the author celebrates about fall. What a wonderful way to show children how to take in the season by using all of their senses. I enjoyed reading this celebration of the Autumn season book!

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A darling story of fall, the season of Halloween and Thanksgiving. The warm, orange, red, brown pallet truly conveys the feel of the season. Diverse characters represent a typical classroom in mainstream America; but it's very predictable.

Readers practice with this book before reading in storytime as some of the rhymes will need very intentional enunciation. For example: "Floating friends on our TV! Giving thanks with family." To make the rhyme work, readers will need to say FAM-I-LY, not FAM-LY.

Recommended with practice.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It's Fall" is my new favorite book to share aloud with young listeners and their grown-ups to signify the change in seasons. The illustrations are detailed (but not cluttered), and the rhyming text rolls off the tongue. The occasional change in typeface helps prompt audience participation. An amazing, autumn find!

Publication Date: 2023
Format: Picture book
Elements: Hand-drawn illustrations in a yellow/orange palette with black accents; bold typeface; limited text per page, told in rhyme
Connection/Topics: Fall season (changes outdoors, activities, holidays, traditions)

[Nicole Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect kids fall book. I especially like that it is not just about the nature aspect of fall but all the American holidays as well. It talks about school starting, Halloween, and Thanksgiving so that this book is perfect for the whole Fall season. The beautiful earth/fall tones in the illustrations really make me excited for fall to come again. A great book for any kid to start learning or thinking about fall.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book and immediately fell in love. It's a new favorite. The illustrations are varied shades of orange/red/yellow/brown...and wondrous.

A delightful book brimming with delicious fall favorites: fuzzy socks, back to school with new supplies, Halloween, corn mazes, Thanksgiving, etc. Kudos to the illustrator for including kids of all backgrounds and a differently abled girl.

Themes: fall, stories that rhyme
Ages: K-2nd grade
Pub year: 2023

[Zan Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colors bursting, shadows tall. There's lots to celebrate--it's fall! Break out your fuzzy socks and cozy scarves! Bring on the doughnuts, cider, and pies! It's time for corn mazes, trick-or-treating, and all the Thanksgiving food you can eat. It's fall! With playful rhymes and lively illustrations, this celebratory book shows the many ways we welcome and enjoy a special season."-- Front jacket flap.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief summary: A young girl shares what the fall season brings with back-to-school, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.

Comments: Illustrations are in yellows, reds, and oranges. The story is in rhyme.

What a fun book to share with young readers that introduces fall vocabulary.

Large single-page, double-page spreads, and vignette illustrations make this a read-aloud recommendation.

Rating: 4/5 📗📗📗📗

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's fall and time to go back to school! The teacher asks the kids what they love about fall -- and the answers include leaves and food and pumpkin patches; Halloween and parades and Thanksgiving! All of the wonderful fall-ish things to be thankful for. And it rhymes - a great choice for a fall read aloud. Though read it through first to make sure you get the rhythm right - especially on the pies!
This looks like it is the first in a series which is nice to hear!

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite impressed. I really like how it gradually went through all the fun things kids enjoy about fall.

Goodreads lists this as (Celebrate the Seasons, 1). However, when I click the book, it seems there is no option to look at the series. So I hope to find more books in this series eventually!

[Shandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Fall loving, growing up in central NY state self loved this book, but my equity-seeking adult self was a bit critical. The illustrations were lovely, and did show some diversity, but the pages referencing Thanksgiving completely glossed over any mention of Indigenous people. It's also quite biased to Fall in the northern parts of the US, as many depictions of Fall are. I find myself torn...

[A Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The color scheme in this book fills me with so much joy and the illustrations are charming. I love that Kurilla includes students going back to school, trick-or-treating, and giving thanks instead of focusing on just one of these autumn events! The activities, foods, and sounds of autumn were embodied perfectly in the illustrations and in the rhyming text. I've added this book to my wishlist.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing super special about this book, but I loved it anyway! The colours are so vibrant and everything about it says FALL to me! Simple rhyming text about all the things we love about fall. Spooky costumes and pumpkins, leaf piles, cozy clothes, pumpkin pie. I think it would be a great little book to read in preparation for fall each year.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is not a plot but instead a summary of autumn's activities, sights and holidays. Rhyming text, and simple but beautiful illustrations in orange and brown tones make this book a good addition to the fall collection. Appropriate for preschool through lower elementary grades.
Note that there are two spreads about Halloween, in case that is an issue with your constituency.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Get excited for fall! Read about different activities and celebrations that happen during autumn months.

Highlights: Traditional fall activities leading into Halloween and Thanksgiving. Illustrations include children of various ethnicities and with disabilities.

Lowlights: A little overboard on the fall colors.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars (I really liked it)

This was such a sweet celebrate of the season! This is my second book from this series that I've read and now I feel like I need to read them all! We've been doing a Fall Fest at my school the last couple years and I'm always in charge of a story walk. This could potentially be a choice for that!

[Victoria Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect fall picture book. Adorable, illustrations, great inking, hitting all the fun things about fall while also maintaining a fun rhyme. I could see pulling this out year after year throughout childhood.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absolutely adorable picture book for fall. This will be one that families will ask for year after year -- the illustrations are adorable and introduce all the parts of fall to young kids with rhyming text. Cozy, autumnal, just right.