Cozy Picture Books for Autumn
By Lindsey Cornett
Englewood Press Managing Editor
Forts
Katie Venit (Author), Kenard Pak (Illustrator)
Hardback: Viking Books for Young Readers, 2025
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One of my favorite photos of my oldest son is from a gray, rainy day. On that afternoon, he had pulled two arm chairs back to back, draped a quilt over the top, and sat there in his fuzzy pajamas with a book in hand. He was content to read in his solo fort for hours and hours. It’s this exact feeling of coziness and warmth that Katie Venit and Kenard Park bring to their new picture book, aptly titled Forts. In this story, a young girl moves through her life and the seasons, exploring all the various forts one might encounter—from hollowed-out logs to treehouses to nooks under the stairs, not to mention towers of couch cushions and blankets stretched across chairs. Along the way, the text conveys all the gifts forts give us: space for quiet, a bit of mystery and magic, shade and shelter, and especially opportunities for solitude or connection, depending on the day and your mood. “The world is filled with forts,” the book begins. “Tiny worlds within this world, safe as coat pockets.”
The beautiful, richly saturated illustrations are just about perfect. They complement the text and its themes beautifully and also make this book great for autumn reading, as falling red leaves float across the cover and throughout. And though faith is not explicitly mentioned in the text, I can imagine Christian families expanding the conversation to include the idea that God is always present, no matter where we might roam or hide, and perhaps to consider the value of silence and solitude for both children and adults as we seek to commune with God.
Just as a fort is cozy and inviting, so is this delightful book. The medium is the message. I look forward to reading it with my own kids on a chilly autumn day and can’t wait to witness the exploring and construction it’s sure to inspire.
Late Today
Jungyoon Huh (Author), Myungae Lee (Illustrator), Aerin Park (Translator)
Hardback: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2025
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Late Today is a new picture book from Jungyoon Huh and illustrator Myungae Lee, translated from Korean into English by Aerin Park. It is the English-language debut for both author and illustrator, and how grateful I am to Eerdmans Books for Young Readers for bringing this book to an American audience. It is so wonderful–one of the most captivating picture books I’ve read in awhile. It tells the story of drivers stuck in morning commuter traffic in Seoul. On the opening pages, the reader sees simple, spare text in white space: “8:15 a.m. We can’t be late today.” On the opposite side of the page, Lee has painted a sea of cars, bumper-to-bumper, sitting at a red light. The combination of text, art, and design elicit a visceral feeling, and they continue to work together in this evocative way throughout the story. (I have few words to adequately describe how expertly this book has been illustrated and designed! You’ll just have to pick it up. Don’t miss the endpages.)
In the middle of all this traffic, a small black kitten is loose. It darts among the vehicles, searching for safety. Then, it begins to rain. The drivers and passengers all have a choice: stop their commutes, step out into a busy road, save the small kitten? Or continue on in their relative safety, according to their predetermined agenda? Adult readers might recall the oft-cited research study in which seminary students who, told they were running late to class, failed to stop and help and injured passerby. The tension is palpable as the reader wonders: Will anyone help?
And so, this simple story becomes a jumping off point for so many important conversations with young readers about what it means to be a bystander or an upstander, the value of slowing down and being interruptable, and practically caring for the “least of these.”
Henry is an Artist
Justin Worsley
Hardback: Flamingo Books, 2025
Buy Now: [ BookShop ] [Amazon][ Kindle ]
And now for something completely different. This book is a departure from the previous two titles in both tone and content–but it is hilarious, will stimulate laughs and conversation, and will appeal to so many young readers. Let me say off the bat: If you don’t like potty humor, this is not the book for you. Henry is a dog with an appreciation for art, especially sculpture and street art. And suffice it to say, on his daily walks with his owner, he enjoys creating his own small sculptures. Imagine his dismay when no one seems to appreciate his creations, and in fact they are swiftly scooped up and thrown away. Until one day, Henry’s art is discovered by the insect population, and his art finally receives the appreciation he has been hoping for.
I admit to being someone who does not love potty humor, and I was skeptical about this book. But I laughed aloud when I read it and was surprised by the touch of warmth and heart. If you want to use it to spark conversations about what constitutes good art, what it means to be appreciated, and how we can encourage the creative people in our lives, this book can certainly do that. But you could also let it stand as the funny, goofy story it is. Toddlers and preschoolers will delight in this book. I know exactly the kid I want to share it with myself. Cozy up on the couch with a child you love and get ready to enjoy their giggles.
Lindsey Cornett
Lindsey Cornett is a loud talker, obsessive coffee drinker, and lover of the written word who lives in downtown Indianapolis with her scientist husband, 3 kids, and crazy Bernedoodle. Most days, you’ll find her wrangling the dog, managing snacks, reheating her coffee, and trying to savor as much joy and gratitude as she can in the middle of these very full days. Lindsey writes a monthly-ish email newsletter about the intersections of faith, community, and curiosity at lindseycornett.substack.com.
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