Leaves

I Love this book, and wish I could give it a hundred stars. The illustrations capture the rich colors of autumn and the emotions of a new little bear who has never seen the leaves fall. Best of all it was so true to childhood and a little boy I once knew who wanted to put the leaves back on the trees and was joyful when he discovered that the leaves came back. To read this book is to experience the wonder of childhood the way a child does. Take a bow, David Ezra Stein.

A sweet story about a bear in autumn, wondering about the falling leaves and not understanding the change in seasons. Yet he goes about his business and ulitmately finds joy in what he discovers. The artwork has an urgent, scribbled quality that lend motion to the images (e.g., the falling leaves) and a colorful fun quality--you want to jump into those leaves. Excellent for prereaders and early readers.

An uncomplicated, innocent look at one of nature's quiet, reliable gifts. The text has been pared down to the essentials, leaving only eloquence. A poem-like simplicity and beauty forms the framework for David Ezra Stein's evocative, stirring illustrations. How can brown, yellow, and green watercolors that look so (wonderfully) muddy and messy never fail to enliven the senses? It's not that you feel like you've been there before... you are there. You feel the breeze push the leaves past you.

David Ezra Stein's LEAVES tells of a young bear who has never seen leaves fall off a tree before. Should be try to put them back, or use them as bedding? Leaves are falling all over his island: what should he do? A whimsical story of seasonal changes will delight the very young.

Through the eyes of a young bear, David Ezra Stein captures the bittersweet feelings of autumn. With the heart and vocabulary that a toddler will understand, the bear expresses wonder and concern for the falling leaves. It is a simple story, beautifully written and illustrated, that my 3 year old begs to hear over and over.