Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber and Leslie Evans

A fantastic introduction to identifying leaves! Leaf Jumpers begins by describing kids playing in leaves, a good hook to capture kids’ attention, and then provides descriptions of eight common leaves. One of the highlights of Leaf Jumpers is Leslie Evan’s graphic, glowing illustrations.  Gotta love the video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uqccfcCGeo
 

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert. Leaf Man is best read to one or a small number ofchildren who can take the time to pour over the pictures at their own pace. The story is not particularly exciting. Instead, the fun comes from observing how Lois Ehlert used leaves to create images of chickens, ducks and geese, pumpkins and winter squash, and much more. Leaf Man will inspire kids to create their own fall leaf artwork.Here is a teacher's guide - http://www.harcourtbooks.com/leafman/teacherguide.asp

Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak

This adorable classic by known author and illustrator Maurice Sendak of Where the Wild Things Are fame includes a simple poem for each month of the year. In addition to being a super cute story, Chicken Soup with Rice also has a song that goes along with it. Children who learn best through music may benefit from this added element of this picture book for teaching the months of the year. Just search online for the Chicken Soup with Rice song if you would like to add it to this cute book. An excellent read-aloud, demonstrating the progression of the year, seasons, and the power of poetry. And of course . . .
the video . . .  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ve3dC9HRxU

Here are some other books for the months of the year -
Here Comes the Year by Eileen Spinelli. This picture book for learning the months of the year is more complex than most. The lyrical, rhyming words for each month use descriptive adjectives and verbs to describe each month as it relates to nature. Because of the rhyming words this book is a great read-aloud choice for teaching the months of the year. This book, however, is best for older children that already have a somewhat established idea of months. The wording is too difficult for very young learners.

The Turning of the Year by Bill Martin Jr. Teachers, parents, and just about anyone who knows the first thing about children's books, knows Bill Martin Jr. as the author of the wonderful Brown Bear, Brown Bear picture book series. Martin delivers again with this great book for teaching the months of the year. Cute poems on each page give insight into what each month holds. The illustrations are lovely (though not done by Eric Carle a la Brown Bear, Brown Bear) and add to this great picture book for teaching the months of the year.