Fall parade

A young fox delights in the coming of autumn. "Here comes fall. The parade is about to start!" Accompanied by a parent, the little fox looks on eagerly. On each following spread, the fox joyfully observes other animals gathering to celebrate the harbingers of fall, from the "first sunflower" to "plump orange pumpkins" and, eventually, "the first golden leaf, dancing as it falls." The phrase "Here comes," which appears on almost every spread, builds anticipation with each page turn as readers wonder what new animal or plant will show up next. Howard's brushwork, with its vibrant oranges, blues, and yellows, beautifully captures the season's energy and the animals' soft fur. It's refreshing to see animals as disparate as badgers, spiders, and a hedgehog included. Little ones and their caregivers will enjoy poring over the pages as they linger over each animal and learn their names. The simple story ends with all the animals joining in a glorious tumble in the "soft piles of fallen leaves." This satisfying conclusion is complemented by cozy endpapers with smaller images of the fox immersed in activities such as cavorting with a butterfly and snuggling with its parent. Gentle words and softly painted illustrations convey the pleasures of autumn for the very young. (Picture book. 1-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.