I Know It's Autumn [Hardcover]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Nancy Hayashi (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

I know it's autumn when
we rake the leaves in piles,
when doorstep jack-o'-lanterns
wear their crooked smiles ...

Leaves are falling, geese are flying, and warm coats are -- reluctantly -- being worn to school. That can mean only one thing: It's autumn!

Eileen Spinelli and Nancy Hayashi invite you to enjoy autumn's many delights -- from warm socks worn on chilly mornings to tempting piles of crackly leaves on the lawn -- in this sweet, funny look at fall.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1–A young girl lists all of the ways she recognizes the season's onset, from the late morning light to her dad pulling her coat out of storage to making acorn art at school to watching the geese fly south. The rhyming text meshes beautifully with Hayashi's color-washed illustrations, which portray the child and her family apple picking, going on a nighttime hayride, and listening to a Native American storyteller perform near a campfire. A delightful book that will be especially appreciated by teachers looking for autumnal materials.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. A little girl identifies the clues that tell her autumn has come. Narrated in rhymed verses, this picture book shows the activities of a little girl and her brother, parents, grandfather, friends, and the community where they live as the season progresses. Each verse begins "I know it's autumn when . . ." The expected apples, pumpkins, and red leaves make their appearance, but Spinelli also finds less obvious signs of fall, such as Father bringing out the box of winter clothes and the sight of a turkey sticker on the girl's spelling chart. Large enough for group sharing and as quiet and comfortable as the text, Hayashi's illustrations feature rounded lines, soft shading, and gentle colors. An amiable read-aloud choice for the season. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (July 27, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060294221
• ISBN-13: 978-0060294229
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #950,931 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm and cozy, August 17, 2004

By 

Christine G. "Chris" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Know It's Autumn (Hardcover)

What a warm and cozy book to read to the kids before going back to school. Filled with bright friendly pictures, this book will keep the attention of any child. A fun thing we did was ask the kids how do they know it is Autumn?!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sweet seasonal treat, November 4, 2009

By 

M. Frank "mom of A&E" (Oakton, Virginia USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Know It's Autumn (Hardcover)

We've read this book to my daughter the past 4 autumns, and she still loves it. The illustrations are full of warmth and detail, and portray some of the most joyful pleasures of fall in a rural American setting. Particularly interesting is that the family is illustrated as multi-racial, which I think is a nice touch for young readers. The rhyming text is not at all forced or cliche, but is rather creative and almost poetic. We reference this book constantly during the season (every hay ride, camp fire, orchard trip or baking session gets me quoting it!), and it's actually sparked some nice fall traditions for us, like baking pumpkin muffins for breakfast. Definitely one of our favorite fall books (and we have many!).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Book For Teaching The Seasons, November 12, 2008

By 

Kara N. Vergison (Michigan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Know It's Autumn (Hardcover)

This is such a great book to use in a classroom when talking about the different seasons. "I Know It's Autumn" would be perfect for children 1st grade and below. The pictures really bring autumn to live with the detail that they have. The book also provides several different types of activities that could only occur in the autumn season. As a future teacher, I suggest that Preschool-1st grade teachers own this book for their classrooms.