Fall leaves

Motion and stasis mix poetically in this picture book about autumn. The title itself is a play on words that references foliage but also indicates the finite life span of a season. This duality is visualized on the cover, where children play by the side of a lake on a bright autumn day, while the reflection in the water shows the same children in winter gear, and the words of the title upside down. Each page is titled with two words, all of them including a variation of either the word fall or leaves, which gives the book an almost poem-like structure: Fall Arrives, Birds Leave, Leaves Twist, Rain Falls, and so on. Each title sets up a descriptive paragraph below, which provides the science behind what is happening. The text is accompanied by line illustrations photographed by MacKay inside a light box. The effect is ethereal and lovely and gives a sense of time standing still as nature starts to slow down in preparation for the winter. Instructions for making leaf prints complete this striking book. Copyright 2014 Booklist Reviews.

Gr 2–4—This picture book cleverly maximizes the different meaning of the title words to teach readers about autumn. For example, apples and leaves "fall," and when fall ends and winter officially starts, the temperature "falls," as do the first flakes of snow. Similarly, summer "leaves," as do the birds to fly South, along with leaves and flowers. Directions are included on how to make leaf prints. The ink and photography illustrations make for appealing landscapes, with two redheaded children walking through or playing in most of the scenes; however, the images do not often support all the ideas presented in the text. For example, the description of the earth's rotation (explaining the arrival of fall) is paired with an illustration of the children bike down a hill. Nevertheless, there's as much value in the wordplay as there is in the presented facts.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library [Page 118]. (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Part poem, part silent stage with luminous light-box illustrations, this innovative picture book puts autumn on display to beautifully capture the art and science of season change. 15,000 first printing.

"Wordplay with homonyms puts autumn on display and captures the art and science of season change"--

Two children experience the majesty of fall, from migrating birds and increased rain to falling apples and early sunsets.

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow! Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow! Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Autumn is in the air: days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall'then snow! Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.

Part poem, part silent stage with luminous light-box illustrations, this innovative picture book puts autumn on display to capture the art and science of season change. 

Part poem, part silent stage with luminous light-box illustrations, this innovative picture book puts autumn on display to capture the art and science of season change.