This post is designed for speech-language pathologists looking for SLP-approved, fall-themed books for speech therapy sessions. These are tried-and-true books I’ll be using this October in my speech room.
Fall Feelings
Ah, fall. I absolutely love the fall.
This summer, forest fires have surrounded the community where I live. That means July and August were smoky. Some days, air quality was so poor that the children I work with needed to stay inside, resulting in some serious pent-up energy. We adults felt some serious cabin fever, too.
I love the fall because it means blue skies and fresh air where I live. The kids I work with get to play outside, meaning a little more focus in our speech therapy sessions. For me, the fresh air means I get to play outside too – taking long hikes, spending time in the yard, and sitting outside at the cafe to drink my coffee.
So this fall, I’m thankful for those blue skies and I’m ready to crack open the books I usually read each October. So, let’s get into it.
Why is it hard to choose books?
This post is for SLPS who want some high-quality books to use every year during fall-themed lessons. Finding a good book isn’t as easy as it seems. For me, books that last in my speech room are ones that:
work for mixed groups
are easily adaptable for mixed groups
contain a variety of vocabulary
are engaging
After years of working on my collection, I do have some tried-and-true books that I keep coming back to. I’ll share some here, along with helpful targets you can work on with these books.
October Reads: 5 Terrific Fall-Themed Books
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
| Title | The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything |
| Author | Linda Williams |
| Theme | Halloween |
| Age Range | Preschool and Elementary |
| Potential Targets | Clothing names and functions, Wh-questions, Sequencing |
The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear
| Title | The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear |
| Author | Don and Audrey Wood |
| Theme | Late Summer/Early Fall strawberry picking |
| Age Range | Preschool and Elementary |
| Potential Targets | Wh questions (especially where), Inferencing, Emotions/Feelings |
Fall Mixed Up
| Title | Fall Mixed Up |
| Author | Bob Raczka |
| Theme | Fall, Leaves |
| Age Range | Elementary |
| Potential Targets | Verbs, Descriptors |
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves
| Title | There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves |
| Author | Lucille Collandro |
| Theme | Fall, Leaves |
| Age Range | Preschool, Early Elementary |
| Potential Targets | Sequencing, Vocabulary, Multiple Meaning Words, Grammar |
It’s Pumpkin Day Mouse
| Title | It’s Pumpkin Day Mouse |
| Author | Laura Numeroff |
| Theme | Pumpkins |
| Age Range | Preschool, Early Elementary |
| Potential Targets | Where, Past-Tense Verbs, Emotions |
Honorable Mention
Stellaluna (great for Elementary students)
Eek! Halloween (great for Preschool students)
Conclusion, October Reads: 5 Terrific Fall-Themed Books
After reviewing this book list, you should have some ideas of new books to use this month in your speech room, as well as some ideas of targeted objectives you can work on as you teach from those books.
For me, it’s always helpful to get book recommendations from other speech-language pathologists. As SLPs, we really do look for specific criteria in books, so the best place I find book recommendation lists is from other SLPs.
If you have other October book suggestions, contact me and I may include them in a future blog post.
Wherever you live, here’s to hoping for those crunchy fall leaves, blue skies, and some great speech-room reads.
Sarah Lockhart is a speech-language pathologist with experience in private practice, school settings, telepractice, and travel SLP settings. She owns a private practice in Southern Oregon.
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