Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Fern & the First Day of Fall: A Wheel of the Year Book by Kathleen Converse, illustrated by Hannah Soltanova, in exchange for an honest review. This post also contains an affiliate link. If you make a qualifying purchase through my link, Greatful Moments may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
As much as I hate to say it when we was planning our content for the Holidays I let Autumn and Fall slip though the cracks. But the LORD knew my needs before I did and send me a post about a new children’s book I would be able to share with my friends and family. and Buttercup I’m so grateful, thankful and blessed to have the opportunity to read this fun book and share it with you.
For my family Fall is one of those seasons that gives my family so many opportunities to slow down, enjoy the changing colors, gather around the table, and find ways to help others. From pumpkins and colorful leaves to homemade soup and family crafts, there is always something new to explore with children.
Fern & the First Day of Fall:is a children’s picture book that brings together Autumn, seasonal traditions, and the importance of caring for our communities Written by Kathleen Converse and illustrated by Hannah Soltanova, =k is a hardcover picture book with a retail price of $18.99.
This is the fourth installment in the Wheel of the Year series and it is the first book of hers I’ve read.. The story follows Fern as she prepares for a fall harvest feast. Unfortunately, the hot weather has spoiled her garden, leaving her wondering how she will find enough food for her friends.
As the story unfolds, Fern discovers the importance of community support and working together to overcome challenges. I liked how the characters come together to celebrate the fall equinox and Mabon, a pagan harvest festival associated with the autumn season. Which would have been a #teachingmoent for my family if we had still been #Homeschooling Charlie and was a learning moment for me.
The book features beautiful fall colors, seasonal illustrations, and familiar characters. Readers will find pumpkins, corn, vegetables, woodland creatures David like, and a gathering of friends sharing food around the table with Charlie enjoyed seeing and so did I. .
Following the story, the book includes information about the history of fall equinox celebrations, along with seasonal rituals, spells, and activities intended for families who celebrate these traditions. The publisher describes this book as being especially suited to pagan and earth-based families celebrating the arrival of autumn.
One of the themes that stood out to me while exploring this book was the importance of making sure everyone has enough to eat. Fern’s garden does not produce the harvest she expected, but she learns that she does not have to face the challenge alone. The story explores the value of coming together, sharing resources, and helping neighbors.
These ideas can lead to meaningful conversations with children. What happens when a family does not have enough food? Where can people turn for help? How can we help someone in our own community? Parents and homeschool families can use these questions to introduce children to food banks, community food drives, and other local programs that help families in need.
Children might help choose shelf-stable groceries to donate, decorate a collection box, or participate in a family project to gather food for a local pantry. This book shows us a wonderful opportunity to remind children that even small acts of kindness can make a difference.
I wanted to remind you a picture book can be more than a story to read before bedtime. It can also become the starting point for learning across several subjects. Here are some activities families might enjoy exploring alongside the seasonal themes in Fern & the First Day of Fall.
Cooking and Life Skills– The harvest feast and soup-making themes offer opportunities to practice measuring ingredients, identifying vegetables, following directions, and learning basic kitchen safety. Older children can help read a recipe, while younger children might wash vegetables or count ingredients with an adult. Families can also prepare a pot of vegetable soup to share with loved ones.
Physical Education– The book includes an activity called Apple Tree Breath. It encourages children to imagine themselves as trees, stretching their arms like branches and picturing roots growing into the ground while taking slow breaths. Parents can adapt the imagery into a simple tree-stretching activity. Children can reach toward the sky, stretch from side to side, and practice balancing like a strong tree. This can be a gentle movement break between homeschool lessons.
Art and Creativity– A gratitude wreath is another activity inspired by the book’s seasonal themes. Children can cut out paper leaves, write or draw something they are thankful for on each one, and arrange the leaves into a wreath. Families can display their creations during autumn, Thanksgiving, or another time when they want to celebrate gratitude.
Community Service– The story’s emphasis on sharing food also provides an opportunity to create blessing baskets for neighbors or families who could use a helping hand. Depending on the needs of the recipient, families might gather groceries, toiletries, or other useful necessities. Children can help select items and make a card expressing kindness and encouragement. Before donating, families should check with the receiving organization about what items are needed and accepted.
Learning About the Seasons– The fall equinox offers a chance to explore why daylight hours change throughout the year, how autumn affects plants and animals, and why harvest time has been important to communities throughout history. Children can keep a fall nature journal, observe changing leaves, collect fallen leaves for an art project, or record daily weather observations. These activities can be adapted for different ages and learning levels.
An important part of reviewing a book is helping readers understand what they will find inside. Fern & the First Day of Fall specifically celebrates the fall equinox and Mabon, a seasonal festival observed by some pagan and earth-based communities. Its additional pages include rituals, spells, and activities connected with those traditions.
Families approach seasonal celebrations in different ways, and parents may wish to preview these sections before sharing the book with their children. Even when a family chooses not to participate in every activity presented in a book, parents can use its storyline to explore topics such as harvest traditions, cooperation, food insecurity, community support, and the changing seasons. The choice of how to use those learning opportunities belongs to each family.
More Books in the Wheel of the Year Series includes other seasonal picture books, including:
- Flora & the First Day of Spring
- Luke & the Longest Night
- Sam & the Samhain Scare
The publisher identifies Fern & the First Day of Fall as the fourth installment and notes that the complete series contains six books. Readers interested in the other titles can explore the publisher’s catalog for additional information. Fern & the First Day of Fall: A Wheel of the Year Book is available in hardcover for $18.99. The publisher lists the book as available wherever books and e-books are sold, as well as directly through Red Wheel/Weiser.
If you’re looking for a fall picture book that opens conversations about seasonal celebrations and community care, this is one to explore. Families can use the story as a starting point for discussing how neighbors support one another and for finding practical ways to help others.
At Greatful Moments, we believe that teaching children to care about the people around them is an important part of growing up. Whether that means sharing a meal, donating groceries, creating a handmade gift, or simply checking on a neighbor, there are plenty of ways to put kindness into action. After all, sometimes the most meaningful lesson we can teach our children is that we do not have to wait until we have everything figured out to help someone else.
Easy Harvest Vegetable Soup
Prep: 15 minutes · Cook: 30–40 minutes · Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened.
- Add the carrots, potatoes, green beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, and Italian seasoning.
- Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Let the soup cool to a safe temperature before serving to young children.
Homeschool teaching moment: Let children help count vegetables, measure broth, identify colors, and talk about where different vegetables grow. An adult should handle chopping and the hot stove as appropriate for the child’s age.
Easy Harvest Vegetable Soup
A warm bowl of fall goodness to share!
Prep: 15 minutes | Cook: 30–40 minutes
Serves: 6
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 potatoes, diced
- 1 cup green beans, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened.
- Add carrots, potatoes, green beans, corn, tomatoes, broth, and Italian seasoning.
- Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30–40 minutes, until vegetables are tender.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper. Cool to a safe temperature before serving to young children.
Invite children to count vegetables, measure broth, identify colors, and learn where vegetables grow. An adult should handle chopping and the hot stove as appropriate for the child’s age.
Sharing makes the harvest sweeter!In the story of Fern, a garden does not grow as expected, and friends learn the importance of coming together. Our communities also have families who need a helping hand. Let’s find one way our family can show kindness this season!
Our Family Challenge
Choose one or more ways to help:
Ask a local food pantry which shelf-stable foods it needs. Gather appropriate items together as a family.
Help organize a food drive, donate requested groceries, or contribute to a community food program.
Prepare a basket of useful, requested items for a neighbor or community member, checking with the recipient or organization first.
Find out where local families can go for food assistance and discuss how these services help neighbors.
Let’s Talk About It
Our Helping Hands Plan
Our family will:
We plan to do it on: __________________________
People we can ask for help:
A grown-up reminder: Contact the food pantry or receiving organization before donating to confirm its current needs, accepted items, and drop-off arrangements. Children should participate in ways appropriate for their age.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
Greatful Moments
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
