Children's Picture Books

A Leaf Can Be…

By: Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by: Violeta Dabija
Publisher: Millbrook Press
Publication Date: March 2012
ISBN: 9780761362036
Reviewed by: Holly Connors
Review Date: December 16, 2011

A leaf is just part of a tree, right? It emerges in the spring, matures during the summer, and then, in the fall, changes color and falls off. But a leaf can be so much more and in this lovely new book, author and illustrator take the young reader on an adventure to learn about all the wonderful possibilities.

A leaf is a leaf –
a bit of tree.
But just try to guess
what else it can be!

Using poetry to gently show what else a leaf can be, author Laura Purdie Salas has come up with quite a list. Starting with the spring and taking us all the way through winter, we see so many things leaves can be as they change with the seasons. From the obvious – sun taker/food maker – to the more unusual, - snake concealer, the reader will learn about so many things that leaves can be used for. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of air cleaner/earth greener as well as fine healer.

No review of this book would be complete without mentioning the truly beautiful drawings that capture the essence of the story. Bright and playful, they also have a delicate look to them that truly gives this book a unique feel.

At the back of the book are several informational pages, with explanations for each of the uses of leaves mentioned in the story, as well as a glossary and further reading suggestions.

Quill says: Whether or not your child is a burgeoning botanist, this book is sure to become a bedtime favorite.