Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!
Today is especially awesome for several reasons:
First, it’s Friday, which is a delight all on its own.
Second, it is the first Friday upon which I am experimenting with a new Friday FB feature which I’m hoping will be tons of fun and not fall flat on its face as some other of my genius ideas have been wont to do! 🙂 Assuming all goes according to plan, it will post at 10:30 AM Eastern and I hope you will all go check it out! (Link to Susanna’s FB page)
Finally, this happy Friday, many folks have a long weekend for Columbus Day… the day upon which (with luck and a following wind) I shall post the guidelines for the 2016 Halloweensie Writing Contest!!! (I can hear you! Snickering in the back row! Just because it sometimes takes me a little longer than I intend to get things organized is no reason to guffaw! I’ll get to it, my pretties… all in good time! 🙂 And I hope you were suitably impressed just there by my spot-on impression of the Wicked Witch of the West! Very fitting for Halloweensie, don’t you think? 🙂 ) So stay tuned for the Halloweensie posting… but maybe don’t hold your breath… 🙂
So are you ready for just about the cutest fall picture book ever written? Have a look at this truly Perfect Picture Book!
aren’t you just already in love with that little fox?! 🙂
Title: Fletcher And The Falling Leaves
Written By: Julia Rawlinson
Illustrated By: Tiphanie Beeke
Greenwillow Books, August 2008, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: seasons (autumn/winter), nature (changing seasons), love
Opening: “The world was changing. Each morning when Fletcher bounded out of the den, everything seemed just a little bit different. The rich green of the forest was turning to a dusty gold, and the soft, swishing sound of summer was fading to a crinkly whisper. Fletcher’s favorite tree looked dull, dry, and brown.
Fletcher was beginning to get worried.”
Brief Synopsis: When the leaves on Fletcher’s favorite tree turn brown and begin to fall, Fletcher thinks something is terribly wrong. “Don’t worry,” his mother tells him. “It’s only autumn.” But Fletcher is worried. He does his best to catch the falling leaves and reattach them, but in spite of his efforts the last leaf finally falls. He promises the tree he’ll keep the last leaf safe and he takes it home to bed, still worried. To his surprise and delight, though, he wakes in the morning to a magical sight that convinces him everything is all right.
Links To Resources: Scholastic Classroom Guide; Teachers Guide (from The Picture Book Teacher’s Edition); 15 Fabulous Fall Leaf Crafts For Kids
Why I Like This Book: Oh my goodness! What is there not to like?! The story is so sweet. Fletcher is so earnest in his desire to help his tree, so dedicated to saving it, and so worried on its behalf since he’s unable to understand from his child’s-eye-view the concept of autumn, changing seasons, and the cycle of life. He doesn’t know that it’s natural for leaves to fall and that his tree is just fine and will green again come spring. It takes the magic of icicles glimmering in the morning sun to show him that his tree is beautiful (and okay!) in every season. The art is such a perfect match for the story – impressionistic water colors in soft, hazy tones of autumn brown and orange that give way to the cool blue/green and white tones of winter, and Fletcher himself is so endearing. As adults, we often take the change of seasons for granted, but this book is a gem for the way it shows the wonder of changing seasons as a child appreciates them.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
What a sweet book. Thank you Susanna for finding another great treasure. I can’t wait to find it at the library.
This one is a true gem, Maria! It got all kinds starred reviews and whatnot. I think you will love it 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend!
The leaves here are falling from drought–I hope we have some pretty ones left to change colors! Fletcher looks adorable.
I won’t be at my desk at 10:30!! I will race back as soon as I can to find out what FB fun you’ve planned.
I know, Wendy, same here. Although yesterday I noticed a couple of trees trying bravely to be orange/red! And I hope it will be worth you racing back to FB 🙂
Huge congrats on the pre-order opening of WHEN YOUR LION NEEDS A BATH and WHEN YOUR ELEPHANT HAS THE SNIFFLES!!
I remember reading this and Fletcher is just such a sweetie!!
Thank you SO much, Joanna! And yes, Fletcher is just as cute as can be. I’ve had this book for a while, but apparently there are a couple others I must investigate! 🙂
You’re right, the cover art is magnetic. So adorable! It sounds like a cozy bedtime snuggling book, Can’t wait to read it. Thank-you. And what is this FB surprise??!? My watch is synchronized. I’ll be there to find out.
Ooh! Synchronized watches! Why didn’t I think of that?! hehehe 🙂 Yes, Fletcher is cute and snuggly and sweet and truly a perfect picture book – I hope you get to read it!
The cover does grab your attention. Another beautiful autumn book, with a different twist. Am eager to see the FB surprise.
I know… I’m on a autumn book kick, apparently 🙂 There are just so many good ones…! And I hope you like the FB surprise… I’m starting doubtful about it’s worth as an idea…!
You have found a perfect autumn picture book, Susanna, and yes, I am marveling at your Wicked Witch of the West impression. Counting down the minutes to the FB surprise!
It is perfect, Patricia – beautiful and sweet! And thank you for being impressed by my WW of the W! She used to scare the bejeesus out of me… actually, she probably still would if I were to watch that movie again. I used to hide behind the living room chair whenever she came on screen 🙂 As for FB, Joanne suggested synchronized watches, which I think is an excellent idea! 🙂
This one sounds lovely — a nice way to draw children’s attention to questions and thoughts about a natural occurrence.
It really IS lovely, Andrea! I think your class would love it. And the last page is sparkly 🙂
“Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” sounds lovely, and looks like a great book to snuggle up with , thanks for sharing the story and art!
I can’t wait to hear about the Halloweensie contest! Hope I can squeeze a piece in!
You will LOVE Fletcher, Michelle! So sweet! So beautifully done! And I hope you can manage a Halloweensie entry – it IS weensy 🙂 I’m sure you can do it!!!
I love fall! And the cover art is GORGEOUS! I’m putting this book on hold right now. Thanks for sharing, Susanna 🙂
Let me know if you love it as much as I do, Shelley 🙂
Such a wonderful pick for fall! As much as I love the season I am always a bit sad to see the trees lose the leaves here in CO because there is not as much color as back east. The browns are missing all the fanfare!
We are actually having spectacular color here this year, Julie! I don’t know if it’s because of the drought or in spite of it, but WOW – so pretty!!!
The perfect Autumn book choice! Just from looking at the front cover, I know I’m going to adore the illustrations. I love Fletcher’s sweet heart. How precious to try to help his tree! I’m looking forward to checking out this book. However, I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to buy this book.
It’s so gorgeous and sweet, Leslie – I love it! And I discovered while reviewing it there’s another one about Fletcher and snowflakes, so I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to be checking that one out!
I do love little Fletcher already. He is adorable. And the timing is perfect! Thank you for sharing this one!!
You’re welcome, Lisa! I hope you get to read it – it’s so sweet 🙂
The leaves are just starting their amazing change here in Southern New Hampshire…and this is the perfect book for PPBF today, Susanna! Will try to get my post done by the end of the day.
Oh, pshaw, Vivian! You ALWAYS get your post done 🙂 I am NOT worried 🙂 I’m way behind on replying to this post, but at this point the colors down here are at their peak, I’d say – breathtaking!
Can’t wait to read it. What an adorable story idea. Very much from a kid’s view. We are enjoying warm remission, but fall peeks out every now and then.
I hope you like it, Keila – I think it’s so perfect! And I’m late responding to this post, but we have full color here at this point… but also Indian Summer… it’s been 85 degrees for 2 days!
I can’t wait to meet Fletcher. He looks as endearing as his story sounds. Thank you for sharing this delightful-looking picture book.
I hope you get to read it, Carleen, and that you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
Well that does take the prize for the cutest fall picture book ever! 🙂 The imagery is amazing too – The rich green of the forest was turning to a dusty gold – love that!
I know! Isn’t it so pretty? I’m glad you like it, Erik!
That is a delightful choice PPBF. Fletcher sounds absolutely adorable and the cover is beautiful.
And I look forward to seeing what great fun you have planned for Halloweensie. 🙂
I’m glad you like the PPBF choice, Angela 🙂 And I hope you’ll want to join Halloweensie this year! 🙂
Oh who doesn’t love foxes – and the innate desire to fix things to maintain the status quo – adults should read this, too! This has read aloud potential, combined with a finger lay about falling leaves that reseats the children for the next story!