Every year we watch the leaves change from greens to vivid hues of orange, red and yellows. While enjoying this yearly panorama get out LEAF TROUBLE by Jonathan Emmett, illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church (Chicken House, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc, 2009, $16.99) and introduce the very young readers to Pip Squirrel. One early fall day Pip falls from his oak tree home. While on the ground a leaf falls. Poor Pip is certain his beloved home tree is falling apart. He must return the leaf immediately. As the leaves fall Pip is determined to affix them back to the branches. He enlists his sister, Blossom, to assist him. The job is made even more difficult when a strong wind gust shakes the tree causing hundreds of leaves to come free. Pip tells his mother about the tree dying and she explains what is happening. She tells Pip and Blossom to be happy for the tree and for themselves.
The artwork here is brilliant. The vivid colors ultimately remind Pip , “They’re the colors of the sunset!” A genuinely charming and informative book for the younger readers to explain, in their language, this wonderful miracle of nature. Picture book, available now.