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Fall Leaves
Autumn is in the days grow shorter and nights are long. Birds leave, flowers, too. Apples and temperatures fall—then snow!
Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.
Part poem, part silent stage, this luminous picture book puts autumn on display and captures the spirit of change that stays with us long after fall leaves. Unlock the secrets of this busy and beautiful time of year as the natural world makes way for winter.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
August 15, 2018
This is not what I had in mind when I saw the cover. From the cover, this looks like a cheerful, fun children's book about leaves. Upon opening the cover, you will find that this book reads more like a science book detailing the changes of the seasons, how trees change and how the weather changes with the seasons. I thought this would be fun, playful book but it is more of an educational book. There are a few difficult words but if you know weather and trees, you should be fine. I thought the illustrations are beautiful with their striking colors. This wouldn't be a book I would read again.
November 3, 2019
I was expecting a story here (there appears to be some confusion as to how some libraries are cataloging this title) but it's actually a lyrically written non-fiction book with dreamy, luminous paper-cut light box illustrations by the very talented Elly MacKay. For very young readers you could simply read the large text on each page ("Fall Arrives" then "Birds Leave" then "Leaves Twist" etc.) and pore over the illustrations. Older readers can delve into the further text on each page, which explains more about the scientific aspects of the season. Just lovely!
January 14, 2015
"Oh my God this is beautiful!"
--Me, to my manager, as I looked upon the first pages of this book.
(images taken from Elly MacKay's website)
Illustrations: 10 out of 5.
Poetic Titles: 10 out of 5.
Informational Text: 3 out of 5.
Okay. I really did not enjoy the meat of the text at all. It seemed out of place next to the whimsy of the beautiful, bright illustrations. The titles were really clever, though, so I ended up abandoning the informational junk about what leaves are all about and moving on to just pretending that the headings were the intended text. Join me on the dark side where we make up text for our books!
October 14, 2014
The CIP for this book lists it as fiction, but I can't figure out why. The text is factual, giving information about the season of autumn and how it affects plants. It's beautifully written and illustrated. I added it to our library collection in the 508's because I think it belongs there. Just gorgeous.
September 8, 2016
Okay. The illustrations are cool and the homonyms were an interesting touch, but this. is. not. a. picture. book. Word usage is WAY too advanced and there are too many words per page to be a picture book. Unfortunately, the juxtaposition of format and content ruined this one for me.
September 30, 2020
This was a book that was on my niece's reading list and after hitting two really great books I thought I was on a roll. That roll unfortunately finished on this particular book.
Fall Leaves is suppose to be a poetry book but I think I lost the memo on where exactly the poetry in this particular book started at. Instead the way the book reads is it starts on a bit of a whimsical note "When summer leaves..." then progresses into a bit of a possible poem title that precedes a somewhat lengthy factual description, which kills the possible purpose of the book. As a result if you are reading to much younger children please just read the title and skip the details or read the details then come back to read the title separate.
This same time of change is seen in the formatting of the book from where the book is opened with a full page illustrated spread that then dissolves only into one illustration per page while the other page that is dedicated to text is colored. Fortunately most of these colored backgrounds correspond with the main color in the opposite illustration.
To me this book does have one and a half redeeming graces. The half grace is in the back of the book where there is a nice little activity that gives guidance on how to make leaf prints although by the text it isn't an autumn activity. Furthermore I do have a nature arts and crafts book floating around my house that does offer seasonal projects so as a result I wouldn't really want to spend any money to buy the book only for this reason.
And the last most powerful redeeming grace of the books is the illustrations - they are magical, brightly colored, beautiful and set to be realistically 3-D. They cry out the strongest that this is a picture book whose author got lost in the concept of leaving it as such and ruined the beauty of the whole work with the clunking nonfictional explanations. It is actually quite a shame.
All in all it was an okay book but one that was much better for the illustrations than it was for its writing. As such I wouldn't recommend anyone spend any money but just check it out from the library so you bask in the magical glow of the illustrations at least once then send it back on its awkward way.
Fall Leaves is suppose to be a poetry book but I think I lost the memo on where exactly the poetry in this particular book started at. Instead the way the book reads is it starts on a bit of a whimsical note "When summer leaves..." then progresses into a bit of a possible poem title that precedes a somewhat lengthy factual description, which kills the possible purpose of the book. As a result if you are reading to much younger children please just read the title and skip the details or read the details then come back to read the title separate.
This same time of change is seen in the formatting of the book from where the book is opened with a full page illustrated spread that then dissolves only into one illustration per page while the other page that is dedicated to text is colored. Fortunately most of these colored backgrounds correspond with the main color in the opposite illustration.
To me this book does have one and a half redeeming graces. The half grace is in the back of the book where there is a nice little activity that gives guidance on how to make leaf prints although by the text it isn't an autumn activity. Furthermore I do have a nature arts and crafts book floating around my house that does offer seasonal projects so as a result I wouldn't really want to spend any money to buy the book only for this reason.
And the last most powerful redeeming grace of the books is the illustrations - they are magical, brightly colored, beautiful and set to be realistically 3-D. They cry out the strongest that this is a picture book whose author got lost in the concept of leaving it as such and ruined the beauty of the whole work with the clunking nonfictional explanations. It is actually quite a shame.
All in all it was an okay book but one that was much better for the illustrations than it was for its writing. As such I wouldn't recommend anyone spend any money but just check it out from the library so you bask in the magical glow of the illustrations at least once then send it back on its awkward way.
December 29, 2023
3.75 stars
October 10, 2014
FALL LEAVES, by Loretta Holland, makes you want to climb inside and explore the warm, vibrant world illustrated by Elly MacKay in beautiful oranges, browns, and golds. The narrative is a play on the title, with the word “fall” or “leaves” featured on each page, as in, “Birds Leave,” “Leaves Twist,” and “Fall Leaves.” Under each of these clever headings, we learn the science behind this mysterious season. For example, under “Leaves Fall,” we find out why leaves change their color as they prepare for winter. Under “Leaves Leave,” we learn what happens to the branches once leaves fall to the ground. The colors cool as the book comes to its conclusion with the arrival of winter, when “Temperatures Fall” and all of life finds shelter in which to hide from the cold. A great book for teaching Science to early grades, or for extending a lesson on chlorophyll or photosynthesis in middle grades. Also a great book to snuggle up by the fire with your favorite young reader and a cup of hot cider! If you are a lover of Fall, as I am, you will love it!
October 10, 2014
Classic, timeless, sublime fall display of the spirit of change that is in the air through the months of September through early December. FALL LEAVES is not just about leaves, but a sort of play on words as the days grow shorter, and the nights longer and fall no doubt--leaves.
FALL LEAVES is very sweet, transcendendalist, and almost mythic in it's presentation. For young readers and adults, I guarantee you will fall in love with the exquistite illustrations--richly hued watercolors, and perhaps some mixed media with scraps of paper and marbling techinques--as well as the two characters who may very well be brother and sister as they explore the great outdoors, the fall air and time together.
A darling book worth a read this fall.
FALL LEAVES is very sweet, transcendendalist, and almost mythic in it's presentation. For young readers and adults, I guarantee you will fall in love with the exquistite illustrations--richly hued watercolors, and perhaps some mixed media with scraps of paper and marbling techinques--as well as the two characters who may very well be brother and sister as they explore the great outdoors, the fall air and time together.
A darling book worth a read this fall.
October 20, 2014
Not quite what I was expecting. Enjoyed the progression of how Fall comes about, but felt that it might be a little beyond the level for a picture book.
August 19, 2019
An incredibly vibrant work of art! The glowing colors of autumn are honored in full within these pages, as well as the slow transformation into winter with all its paler hues.
Holland’s text is a fun primer for the season, giving the reader highly digestible bits of information that bring insight into MacKay’s artwork. I must say, however, that it reads pretty clinically in style, concentrating on science and fact with dashes of more descriptive prose. A book of this sort of beauty seems more to deserve poetry than facts, something far more lyrical to sweep the reader along with the excellent pictures and become immersed in the wonder of the season.
That being said, the text was enjoyable in its own right; merely out of place in this context. Would recommend for a light and engaging autumn read!
Holland’s text is a fun primer for the season, giving the reader highly digestible bits of information that bring insight into MacKay’s artwork. I must say, however, that it reads pretty clinically in style, concentrating on science and fact with dashes of more descriptive prose. A book of this sort of beauty seems more to deserve poetry than facts, something far more lyrical to sweep the reader along with the excellent pictures and become immersed in the wonder of the season.
That being said, the text was enjoyable in its own right; merely out of place in this context. Would recommend for a light and engaging autumn read!
October 20, 2018
Fall Leaves written by Loretta Holland is book details the changes that take place from summer going into the cold of fall. While it is poetic it’s overall tone reads as both poetic and factual. The illustrations, by Elly MacKay, are also a beautiful bridge between realism and poetic license.
My favorite part of this story is that it bridges the gap between fiction and realism in a very cohesive readable way. I truly enjoyed reading this book and looking at the illustrations.
This is a great book for k-third/fourth. It’s a great book for a read aloud and segues into writing both fiction or non-fiction. It’s also a fun way to introduce the concepts of change and seasons to the students.
My favorite part of this story is that it bridges the gap between fiction and realism in a very cohesive readable way. I truly enjoyed reading this book and looking at the illustrations.
This is a great book for k-third/fourth. It’s a great book for a read aloud and segues into writing both fiction or non-fiction. It’s also a fun way to introduce the concepts of change and seasons to the students.
November 20, 2020
1. None
2. K-2
3. This book introduces the different seasons and how the earth's rotation causes the season changes. The book also discusses the different things that can happen during each season.
4. I enjoyed this book as an adult but I think that most children won't have the same opinion. I think that this book is quite dense and boring for a child to read, however, I do think the children would enjoy the illustrations.
5. A great use for this book in the classroom would be in a science lesson. When beginning a science lesson about seasons this would be a great read-aloud to include. Perhaps the teacher could link a literary lesson with this book when discussing the season changes and why they occur.
2. K-2
3. This book introduces the different seasons and how the earth's rotation causes the season changes. The book also discusses the different things that can happen during each season.
4. I enjoyed this book as an adult but I think that most children won't have the same opinion. I think that this book is quite dense and boring for a child to read, however, I do think the children would enjoy the illustrations.
5. A great use for this book in the classroom would be in a science lesson. When beginning a science lesson about seasons this would be a great read-aloud to include. Perhaps the teacher could link a literary lesson with this book when discussing the season changes and why they occur.
October 26, 2022
Although this is actually about Autumn, I will shelve it with my Thanksgiving books.
I was more than halfway through it before I realized these were not ordinary watercolor pictures. Elly McKay used an interesting miniature theater technique that gave a sense of movement to her pictures.
I loved that Loretta Holland used her words in such an diverse way. Fall as a noun, fall as an adjective, fall as a verb. Leaves as a noun, leaves as a verb. Each section: Fall Arrives, Birds Leave, Leaves Twist, Rain Falls, Flowers Leave, Apples Fall, Leaves Fall, Fall Stays, Leaves Leave, Sun Leaves, Temperature Falls, Snow Falls, and Fall Leaves was a little lesson about nature.
Lovely book to read with a child who is interested in science.
I was more than halfway through it before I realized these were not ordinary watercolor pictures. Elly McKay used an interesting miniature theater technique that gave a sense of movement to her pictures.
I loved that Loretta Holland used her words in such an diverse way. Fall as a noun, fall as an adjective, fall as a verb. Leaves as a noun, leaves as a verb. Each section: Fall Arrives, Birds Leave, Leaves Twist, Rain Falls, Flowers Leave, Apples Fall, Leaves Fall, Fall Stays, Leaves Leave, Sun Leaves, Temperature Falls, Snow Falls, and Fall Leaves was a little lesson about nature.
Lovely book to read with a child who is interested in science.
August 11, 2024
So many picture books for young readers aim to teach them about fall, or other seasons. But this book stands out for its poetic and evocative approach.
Absolutely gorgeous, inspiring illustrations bring life to specific examples. So appropriate for children, who tend to be hands on and literal.
Here's an example of the text. Trust me, Goodreaders, when I say that the painting-style illustration accompanying these words? Very likely it's more awe inspiring than you can imagine. Truly wonder-awakening! As for the words:
LEAVES TWIST
Fall usually brings rain which makes leaves twist and squirm on tree branches.
The bottoms of the leaves look silver, like rain,
and flash in the breeze as rain approaches.
FIVE STARS. Also I'm shelving this book under HIGHEST PRAISE. It's that superb.
Absolutely gorgeous, inspiring illustrations bring life to specific examples. So appropriate for children, who tend to be hands on and literal.
Here's an example of the text. Trust me, Goodreaders, when I say that the painting-style illustration accompanying these words? Very likely it's more awe inspiring than you can imagine. Truly wonder-awakening! As for the words:
LEAVES TWIST
Fall usually brings rain which makes leaves twist and squirm on tree branches.
The bottoms of the leaves look silver, like rain,
and flash in the breeze as rain approaches.
FIVE STARS. Also I'm shelving this book under HIGHEST PRAISE. It's that superb.
January 27, 2025
I found this title to be more on the science side than a story about leaves in fall. This title focuses on what happens physically in our World when fall leaves us, daylight becoming shorter, trees making less and less chlorophyll, leaves falling from the trees, rain becoming more frequent, and first arriving. I liked the format of this title as the information was on the left page and a beautiful illustration on the right side.
Elly Mackey used an unusual combination to execute the illustrations, ink, typo paper, light, and photography. A beautiful and scientific look at fall which could’ve used through fifth grade. Copyright in 2014 this is the only title listed for Loretta Holland on Goodreads and I am assuming it may have been a debut title.
Elly Mackey used an unusual combination to execute the illustrations, ink, typo paper, light, and photography. A beautiful and scientific look at fall which could’ve used through fifth grade. Copyright in 2014 this is the only title listed for Loretta Holland on Goodreads and I am assuming it may have been a debut title.
September 8, 2017
Good book for preparing children, probably ages 4-8, for the advent of Autumn. The illustrations are skillfully done and the colors are remarkably vibrant. The headings on each page are fun variations on the same words ("Fall Arrives," "Birds Leave," "Leaves Twist," "Rain Falls," "Flowers Leave," "Apples Fall," "Leaves Fall," "Fall Stays," "Leaves Leave," "Sun Leaves," "Temperature Falls," "Snow Falls," "Fall Leaves"). The content is good, too. Some reviewers complained that there's too much text and too-advanced vocabulary (e.g., perennials, deciduous, chlorophyll), but that's not true at all if you bear in mind that it's not written for toddlers.
November 1, 2017
Using the title words, fall and leaves, each page shares an idea about the things that fall or leave in autumn. After a simple text with beautiful autumnal shades of color accentuating each page, the author provides readers with the science behind fall changes by detailing the movement of the earth and sun, the hibernation and migration of animals, and the loss of chlorophyll in leaves which leads them to change color and drop from the tree.
January 17, 2019
With fall-colored illustrations, each page describes a different phenomenon associated with autumn. I'm ashamed to admit that I was not too knowledgeable on the subject.
I liked how the illustrations looked three-dimensional. It seemed as if different clipart pieces of trees or treehouses were almost standing up on the page. The whole thing just felt like I could reach out and expect to touch a different texture of drawing.
I liked how the illustrations looked three-dimensional. It seemed as if different clipart pieces of trees or treehouses were almost standing up on the page. The whole thing just felt like I could reach out and expect to touch a different texture of drawing.
August 26, 2025
I had high expectations for this, so I was disappointed when my children did not stay engaged – neither the four-year-old nor the seven-year-old. The illustrations are beautiful, and the text is interesting, but I think the mishmash of poem and scientific fact didn’t flow with the dreamy illustrations. Perhaps simple-moving poetry with the illustrations—scientific facts tucked at the end—would’ve been more useful. Lovely book though.
October 4, 2025
Non fiction text explaining the changes that happen in fall. The worldview seems rather narrow, restricted to a couple of pale-skinned children in a geographical location where deciduous trees lose their leaves, air is moist, and snow eventually falls. The illustrations are painted paper cutouts set up in a miniature theater. The illustrations with their distinct and dreamy style are the best thing about Fall Leaves.
November 6, 2017
This is a wonderful book, I love the illustrations. Today I read this in Baby Storytime and while it does have a lot of words each page as two worlds that are very large and tell their own story. It is these words that I read and the children loved it. I recommend reading this to children as a lap sit book or bedtime story book for fall as it has a calm feel to the illustrations.
December 23, 2019
Fall temperatures have nothing to do with the turning of the planet, spinning around the sun, or movement of the galaxy. It's about planetary tilt.
And fall isn't known for rain, despite what the book says.
There's a bit of text in really large font size on each page, but the rest is very tiny -- just too small in comparison.
And fall isn't known for rain, despite what the book says.
There's a bit of text in really large font size on each page, but the rest is very tiny -- just too small in comparison.
August 23, 2020
Stunning book
This book does a great job explaining all that happens during the fall season. Also, the art of Elly McKay is stunning. Where I live, I can't experience the seasonal changes as people do elsewhere. That is why a love when a beautiful illustration or photo take me to another place. If you love fall,do yourself a favor and buy this book.
This book does a great job explaining all that happens during the fall season. Also, the art of Elly McKay is stunning. Where I live, I can't experience the seasonal changes as people do elsewhere. That is why a love when a beautiful illustration or photo take me to another place. If you love fall,do yourself a favor and buy this book.
September 18, 2022
4 stars (I really liked it).
I'm in search of a fall Story Walk book...
This one is definitely a contender. I like how the large text on each page always has either "fall" or "leaves" in it. For younger readers, you could just read the large text. Then the smaller text has nonfiction information about the season. I really like how this book is done!
I'm in search of a fall Story Walk book...
This one is definitely a contender. I like how the large text on each page always has either "fall" or "leaves" in it. For younger readers, you could just read the large text. Then the smaller text has nonfiction information about the season. I really like how this book is done!
October 29, 2019
I wish I could give this more stars for the amazing, amazing light-box illustrations, but the content was simply too complex for an easy reader book. Even I had to look up vocab words, like "deciduous."
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September 30, 2021From looking at the illustrations and esp. the cover, I thought it would be a story book... but it's not. It's just informational text on the season... the illustrations are pretty, but I was disappointed..
December 10, 2021
Fall is my favorite season and I like that I can read the short version to my 3 year old (the one line large text per page) and my 9 year old can go more in depth but overall I didn't care for the illustration style or the format.
July 9, 2022
What a wonderful story about the time of Fall. The paper art by Elly MacKay brings each scene to life unlike any children's story that I've read before. It is also a great learning tool to teach children the basics of why Fall happens. What changes happen.
September 18, 2022
Gorgeous artwork! Fall Leaves tells of the transition from summer to fall and, finally, to winter using somewhat complex language for a picture book. I read this to my five-year-old, and some of it was over her head, but she loved the art and we had a couple of good discussions based on the text.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews