by Thom Wiley
Scholastic, $6.99, 24 pages
The arrival of autumn is a cause for celebration. The changing colors of falling leaves make for a stunning landscape. Adventure waits when the weather changes and kids love to be out in the crisp, cool air. Author Thom Wiley has written a fun, festive book celebrating autumn. The Leaves on the Trees is filled with rhyming versus that can be read or sung to the tune of “London Bridge is Falling Down.” Since it is a song many youngsters learn early, they will soon sing along. Wiley introduces the names of trees commonly found in backyards, parks, and schoolyards. “The birch leaves glow a bright yellow! Bright yellow! Bright yellow! The birch leaves glow a bright yellow! Autumn is here!” Illustrator Andrew Day’s beautiful artwork makes the book come alive. Readers will feel like they are under the falling leaves or jumping into the big leaf pile. He features a charming multicultural cast of kids who romp and play among the trees. Animals join in too – a puppy tastes the air on his pink tongue, squirrels collect acorns, and turtles sun on the bank of a stream. Bring autumn to your home or classroom with this festively fun book.
Reviewed by Kathryn Franklin