It’s a time-honoured tradition!
Kick the leaves into a pile and jump on them. Or collect an array of fallen leaves in gorgeous colours (which will eventually be discarded when they fade). And be sure to read these picture books about the glories of fall foliage.
Full of Fall by April Pulley Sayre, Simon & Schuster, $23.99
April Pulley Sayre’s stunning photographs document the changes in the forest from the end of summer to the beginning of winter. Fall colours are amazing and Sayre makes the most of them in photo closeups of individual leaves and trees and foliage taken from interesting angles.
Minimal text in verse accompanies the illustrations and Sayre includes an explanation of how and why trees change at the end of the book.
In the Middle of Fall by Kevin Henkes, Illus. by Laura Dronzek, NY, Greenwillow, $21.99
Henkes once again showcases his phenomenal talents as a writer in another collaboration with Dronzek whose vivid paintings show the appeal of fall to a small child.
The story begins in the middle of the season when “the pumpkins are ready and the apples are like ornaments” and ends with a time when “the sky will be white and empty.” The paintings focus initially on a single tree in full fall foliage. A child sits quietly on a swing hung from the tree.
As fall progresses and the wind blows we see the sky change from blue to a cold gray. In one very effective double-page spread the child contemplates the scenery as small pictorial emblems remind the reader of the seasonal changes that have occurred.
Eventually, a bare-limbed tree with an empty swing heralds the arrival of winter and on the final page the child gazes at the first snowflakes.
Fran Ashdown collects autumn leaves every year with the grandchildren. For more information check your local libraries.
