We love Autumn, the golden light, crunching in the fallen leaves and making our homes as cosy as possible. When the temperature plummets and the wind picks up, there is something very special about snuggling down in a cosy reading nook with a blanket, some hot chocolate and a stack of your best books.

Here at TCFC we read all kinds of stories, but the best ones are the ones that leave us feeling cosy on the inside when the weather outside is less than ideal.

So, our very own Founder, Clare Hanson, has selected some of her favourite cosy children’s books that will warm us up from the inside out. Here’s why she love them:

Pumpkin soup by Helen Cooper

“A wonderful autumnal tale about friendship, sharing and adapting. The illustrations are beautiful and the animals are so lovable. Leaves you feeling warm and cosy and hungry for soup!”

Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh

“A timeless classic that feels as fresh as the day it was written. When Rosemary meets Carbonel, a cat prince and former Witch’s cat, she agrees to help him gain his rightful place as king, What follows is a wonderful adventure filled with witches, magic and talking cats.”

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

“Mary Lennox goes to live with her uncle after the sad death of her parents and discovers a secret garden in the grounds which has been locked for years. When she finds the key to open the garden, she unlocks a world of hope and adventure and new joy. The descriptions are so evocative, you really feel that you are in the garden with Mary and her friends. It is a tale of transformation and the positive effects of nature on mental health and wellbeing.”

Anne of Green Gables by L M Montgomery

“Anne with an ‘e’ has been a favourite of mine since I was a little girl, I loved the capers of Anne Shirley and her friends in Avonlea. The autumnal descriptions of the trees and the fields make you feel like you are in the story seeing them with your own eyes. She is a loveable, imperfect rogue who I always wanted as a friend.”

Brambly Hedge – Autumn Story by Jill Barklem

“My daughters and I like to reread this every Autumn. The beautiful illustrations and the sweet harvest descriptions are as warming as a mug of hot chocolate. I cannot begin to describe the details within the illustrations, but you can look at them for hours (or years as I have) and still discover new little treasures.”

Make your own reading corner!

More recently, kid’s bedroom and playroom decor has become more than just a practical play or sleep space, with parents and home bloggers finding ways to keep their kid’s interior spaces beautifully on-trend, without losing the playful colours and style our kids love.

And one trend we love is the reading nook! With nothing but some basic storage and soft furnishings, you can create the cosiest of corners in no time. And if you want to add a flash of colour or a lick of paint, simply painting that section of the wall a different colour will make it look even comfier.

Here are our must-haves for the perfect family reading space:

Snuggle up on one of our comfortable Large Quilted Bean Bags.

Cuddle together under our snuggly Blankets & Quilts.

Keep all your books in one place with our sturdy Tweedle 4 Shelf Bookcase.

Or, ‘branch’ out (pardon the pun) with a feature bookcases like our Louane Tree Bookcase!