FLETCHER AND THE FALLING LEAVES (PICTURE BOOK)

PICTURE BOOK

FLETCHER AND THE FALLING LEAVES by Julia Rawlinson, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke (Greenwillow) Fletcher the Fox is distressed to discover that his favorite tree is losing its precious leaves. He tries tying leaves to the tree, catching them as they blow in the breeze, even assisting the tree in holding on to its last leaf as long as it can. But when nature takes it course, Fletcher feels like he has failed, until he sees the glittery garb in whichthe tree is adorned after the first frost. The transformation of the seasons is fully celebrated in this gentle picture book, featuring dear and unpretentious watercolors and a story full of the sincerity and eagerness of one friend trying to help another. I was already a fan of Tiphanie Beeke after her storytime charmer BOOK! BOOK! BOOK! by Deborah Bruss (Scholastic), but this latest seasonal surprise had me "falling" for her all over again. (4 and up)

Also of interest:
FALL IS NOT EASY by Marty Kelley (Zino Press) In this book, a tree tries to change color, and ends up looking like a rainbow, a hamburger, a smiley face and more! Children will love drawing their own trees in the midst of changes! One of my fall favorites, this book is by smaller publisher so the book is perhaps a little bit more obscure, but don't give up, it's as wonderful to find as a leaf with five colors.(5 and up)
A LITTLE BIT OF WINTERby Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell (HarperCollins) A rabbit is asked by a hibernating hedgehog to preserve for him a little bit of the season. The profound characterization of the animals in this book evokes a comparison to the great Warner Brothers animator Chuck Jones; just as funny and expressive.
BLUE BURT AND WIGGLES by Derek Anderson (Simon and Schuster) Two friends try to stop summer fun from fading by using colorful art supplies to disguise autumn's approach.

On a personal note:
Advance review copies of VIVE LA PARIS are now officially all gone, so I cannot honor any further requests. To those who participated, your books are en route, and thank you for your enthusiasm and also your willingness to get the word out about this book, it is very important to me. I wanted to write a book that would introduce children of all colors and creeds to some of the background knowledge of WWII in a way that preserves optimism and hope. You'll let me know if I managed! I am so excited for you to meet Paris, her family of four brothers, her worst enemy Tanaeja, and her unexpected ally, Mrs. Rosen. Of course, our friends Sahara, Darrell and Miss Pointy that some may remember from SAHARA SPECIAL are back as well!

Even if you did not get an advance review copy, you will still have an opportunity to don your rose-colored glasses...it is now available in bookstores! Hooray!!!

Happy fall, everyone!

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