Author-illustrator Eugenie Fernandes uses clay, acrylic paint, and mixed-media collage to create a visual feast in her second seasonal tale (following Kitten’s Spring) featuring a curious calico cat.

Quality autumnal picture books that deal with neither witches nor turkeys are a boon, and Kitten’s Autumn is the ideal fall read for very young children. Fourteen animals are portrayed feasting on various forest snacks, preparing themselves for the coming winter. Kitten tumbles through each spread, always hiding behind a leaf or tree, before coming home to a cozy fireside meal. Opportunities for interactive reading abound as tots try to find Kitten, name the different animals, and identify the everyday materials used in the collage. The text is full of onomatopoeic verbs of the crunching and munching variety that are best enjoyed read aloud.

The art maintains a clear, crisp aesthetic that seems three-dimensional: readers will likely find themselves running their fingers over the pages to try to feel the paper ferns and thread grasses. The book begs for a ­follow-­up excursion to the craft drawer.

Kitten’s adventures are a fun, engaging seasonal staple. Rain or shine, youngsters will soon be able to read along with Kitten year round: winter and summer instalments are currently in the works.