For the first Perfect Picture Book Friday of Autumn, I have the perfect autumn picture book to share with you! It’s an oldie, but a beauty!
Title: The Little Yellow Leaf
Written & Illustrated By: Carin Berger
Publisher: Greenwillow Books, August 26, 2008, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-6
Themes/Topics: autumn, courage, embracing change
text and illustration copyright Carin Berger 2008, Greenwillow Books
Opening: “It was autumn.
In the hush of the forest
a lone yellow leaf
clung to the branch
of a great oak tree.”
text and illustration copyright Carin Berger 2008, Greenwillow Books
Brief Synopsis: It is autumn and the leaves are coming down. But one little yellow leaf is not ready to let go. As he watches the approach of winter, he clings fiercely. “I’m not ready,” he thinks. And, “Not yet!” How will he let go?
text and illustration copyright Carin Berger 2008, Greenwillow Books
Links To Resources: make a leaf collage; 25 Fun and Interactive Fall-Themed Activities For Preschoolers and Toddlers
text and illustration copyright Carin Berger 2008, Greenwillow Books
Why I Like This Book: This book is written in spare, lyrical text, and illustrated with gorgeous collage – papers in shades of yellow, green, blue, and beige, with scraps of lined ledger and graph paper as well as colored and printed magazine pages, and tells the story of a little yellow leaf determined to hang on to his oak tree. From his branch he watches the approach of winter, as the apples and pumpkins ripen, the geese head south, and the snow flurries, and still he clings, not ready to fall as all the other leaves have done. At last, he spies a little red leaf clinging just as tightly. He is not alone! The two leaves take comfort and courage in each other and agree to let go. The wind catches them and they soar and dance, away and away and away, together. This is a story of embracing change, of finding the courage to face the unknown, and the power of friendship, and also a lovely introduction to autumn.
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 blog 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!
Entries are showing up on the sheet in my google drive, but I can’t get them to show here! I will keep working on it, but rest assured your books ARE being recorded – they just won’t show up on this page!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
I love Carin’s work and this book. Great choice for fall.
I love her work, too, Patricia! I’ve shared other books of hers here before. I’m glad you like it!
Lovely choice as the air gets crisper and cooler!
Thanks for your efforts to get the list to show, Susanna!
So far those efforts are very unsuccessful! I do not like technology!
It’s the effort I am grateful for!
I love this book, and Carin Berger’s work in general!
Me too!
This looks gorgeous, Susanna! Some books have such a classic feel, and this is one of them. And it would be a great book to pair with Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, a story that my almost-21-yr-old son still loves.
The colors are grand. I love fall and therefore I love this book. Happy apple picking!!!♥️
Nice choice, Susanna. Definitely one for the ‘littles’! Heading out o buy one today. Happy Fall 🙂
Such beautiful illustrations. Another fall gem!
I tried to submit but it won’t let me. I did get a highlighted message that my entry is showing up on the sheet in your goole drive and to be assured my books are being recorded. Otherwise I give up. Will continue to publish. Let me know if you see anything.
I love Carin’s PB! I agree, An oldie but a beauty❣️
Carin always creates beautiful books. This one is perfect for Fall. Good luck with the tech. I agree with Julie and also appreciate your efforts.
This looks quite perfect, indeed! So to my taste — I can’t believe I don’t know this book! It will be the perfect read for this first week of fall. Thanks, Susanna.
“I’m not ready yet!” – haven’t we all felt that way? What a great book to pull off the shelf and share. Thanks!
This is gorgeous! I want to read it right now!