Review by Booklist Review
Three leaf friends, Birch, Oak, and Maple, live in neighboring trees. As temperatures drop, they sense something new is coming--suspicions that are confirmed by gossipy squirrels. Excited Birch is absolutely delighted to burst into vivid yellow. Oak is pleased with her new orange look but would be just as happy if things stayed the same. Grumpy Maple, always complaining, is resigned about turning a new color--but nothing happens. Then the leaves start hearing rumors about falling and something called the ground. Birch can't wait to try, hoping that falling will be just like flying. Oak decides to climb down her tree. And Maple, still green, sits still. Eventually, the three leaves end up on the ground together and are scooped up by a little girl to be taken home and turned into art projects. This reassuring story about facing change is beautifully illustrated. The bright gouache collages perfectly capture autumn colors, and very simple cartoonlike features effectively bring out each leaf's personality. A choice pick for a fall read-aloud.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
From within a collective of autumn leaves, readers meet three individuals, each with a distinct human-like personality. There's Birch, the optimist; Oak, the contented; and Maple, the complainer (and late bloomer). The weather turns cold, but having been "born" in the spring, the trio must rely on a pair of know-it-all squirrels to tell them what's happening: that each will change colors and then fall to the ground. Birch, Oak, and Maple meet this news with glee, acceptance, and distrust, respectively. Maple spends more time in its tree, hearing from the squirrels about the downside of falling ("bottoms of boots and gutters"), but as it turns out, they're missing some vital information. A young child collects the leaves and gives them new life as cheerful art; her designs and projects displayed on the book's final page may inspire readers to create their own leaf art. The cheerful mixed-media illustrations, personifying each character, employ fall colors and make maximum use of white space for readers to consider the subtle but multiple themes, such as: change is inevitable; there is no single way to approach the future; and new experiences may well bring unexpected pleasures. Betty Carter September/October 2022 p.63(c) Copyright 2022. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Change is on the horizon for a trio of leaves at home in the branches of various trees in a park. When the air grows chilly, Birch, Oak, and Maple all experience different emotions. Birch is optimistic and expectant, Oak is cautious and reluctant, and obstinate Maple feels left out as the other leaves change colors but she doesn't. Illustrations rendered in acrylic gouache, colored pencil, and collage depict endearingly anthropomorphized leaves, with autumnal colors that pop. As the leaves learn more about fall from a pair of knowledgeable squirrels, Maple's slow change to red is overshadowed by her impatience to join her friends. It's only when she pulls herself free that she learns about the downside of fall--namely, the bottoms of boots, rain gutters, and rakes. Much like the shift from the bright crisp early days of autumn to the damp cold ones later in the season, it's here that the story changes, going from a surprisingly nuanced examination of growth to something fluffy and less interesting. A young girl with straight black hair and tan skin finds the fallen leaves and takes them home, where she draws them as anthropomorphic characters, and all discussion of the importance of change is lost. Caregivers looking for a springboard to a discussion about growing up and the uncertainty of change may find this useful, but its sputtering ending detracts from its early momentum. Maybe next year will bring a more promising crop of leaves. (This book was reviewed digitally.) After a promising start, this autumnal offering ultimately disappoints. (Picture book. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
