My Leaf Book - Hardcover

Monica Wellington lives in New York City, where she teaches children’s book illustration at the School of Visual Arts.

PreS-Gr 2—One of the most visible indicators of autumn are falling leaves. The narrator decides to take those leaves and create her very own leaf book to commemorate the season. Once she gathers them, she uses a tree guide to identify the tree and record the name. As each leaf is examined, Wellington provides additional facts about trees and leaves (including vocabulary such as lobes and compound leaves), which will help readers create their own leaf books. The author does a terrific job combining subjects here—story is interwoven with fact, and science is interwoven with art. As the leaf-gathering continues, the girl uses leaves to create prints and rubbings as well as adding them to her book. The illustrations are created in bright autumnal colors. Each type of leaf is depicted in color photocopies as well as other artistic methods. The trees scattered throughout have simplified leaf shapes, but the leaves themselves are re-created in detail. VERDICT There can never be enough seasonally appropriate books for classrooms and libraries, particularly when they offer information readers can use.—Susan E. Murray, formerly at Glendale Public Library, AZ