The Ugly Pumpkin by Dave Horowitz is a charming and heartwarming story about an adorable little pumpkin who feels out of place because he doesn’t look like the other pumpkins. While the other pumpkins are bright and perfectly round, the Ugly Pumpkin is lumpy and different. He sets off on a journey to find where he truly belongs, only to discover that with time, he transforms into something beautiful, just like the autumn season itself. This story is a delightful reminder that sometimes, our uniqueness is what makes us special. 

Meet October (The Calendar Kids) follows October, a boy who loves the cool fall weather, camping with his family, and visiting pumpkin patches. He also has a pet spider named Boo. But October is uneasy about all things “spooky.” On his walk to school—alongside Boo and his sister—he must pass a spooky house that scares him. At school, he learns about nocturnal animals, and things take a turn when Boo goes missing. With courage and help from friends, October sets out to find Boo and confront his fears. 

Fletcher, a young fox, has a favorite tree that he loves dearly. As autumn arrives, the tree’s leaves turn brown and begin to fall, which alarms Fletcher — he worries the tree is sick. Despite his attempts to reattach leaves and to prevent other animals from taking them, the leaves continue to fall until only one remains. Fletcher takes the last leaf home and cares for it through the night. But when he returns the next day, he is surprised and reassured: the tree is still there, now adorned with shimmering icicles, and life continues in a new season.