Fall Writing Frenzy 2024: Fall Food and Friends Around the World

This is a bit different sort of post than what I usually put up here. But I love writing. And one of the many things I love to write about here is kids' books! I think it's so fun to see the creative books other authors come up with and spread the word about them. But I also have a dream of writing my own, and this month to stretch my writing skills, I decided to participate in a fun little contest called "Fall Writing Frenzy" where writers are invited to write an autumn themed short (super short, under 200 words!) piece based on their choice from several inspiration photos. 

I was charmed by a darling little hedgehog, and I came up with this idea for a nonfiction picture book about fall food. I found it very interesting to research, because to be honest, I hadn't really ever looked into whether the leaves turn beautiful colors in Australia (they do!) or if they eat pumpkin-based foods in fall in Chile while we are celebrating spring here (they do!)

If this was ever turned into a book for real, I would expand the descriptions a bit, add a few more countries (including India and South Africa, which sadly pushed me over my word limit), and have an illustrator draw the cute animals and food and appropriate foliage for the nation being described. Anyway, for those who have stuck around long enough, I hope you enjoy my little peek at fall all around the world:

Fall Food and Friends Around the World

by Lindsay Hindman

Photo #12
Credit: Unsplash via Piotr Łaskawski

When a rainbow of leaves tumbles in the breeze, we know it's fall!

In autumn or "fall", our world changes from summer to winter.

And everywhere you look, delicious food is ripe and ready!

Let's visit some friends and see their favorite fall foods!

In the northern hemisphere, the half of the Earth closer to the North Pole, we celebrate autumn in September, October, and November.  

In the US, squirrels gather nuts while people visit pumpkin patches and bake pumpkin pie.

In France, hedgehogs crunch across the leafy forest floor while people eat apple tarte tatin.

In Israel, jirds scamper near red-dotted orchards, while people eat apples and honey.

In China, red pandas nap amidst bamboo while people eat cozy congee

And in the southern hemisphere, the half of the Earth closer to the South Pole, people celebrate autumn too--but not at the same time! Fall down under is in March, April, and May!

In Peru, chinchillas jump together while people enjoy pumpkin sopapillas

And in Australia, wild platypus families roam amidst colorful leaves in the forest while people enjoy mince pies.

All over this world, there's great food and great fun to celebrate 

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