Fletcher and the Falling Leaves: A Fall Book for Kids

Product Information

This book was selected as one of the October 2011 - Autumn and Halloween reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads. Rawlinson truly does have a way with words, and has painted a beautiful picture of a beautiful season that is backed up by the soft brush strokes and rich colors of Beeke’s artwork. Her other recent works include Sweet Dreaming, illustrated by Nicola Wong (Sourcebooks), Dragon's Lost Roar, illustrated by Beccy Blake (Franklin Watts) and Mule School, illustrated by Lynne Chapman (Gullane Children's Books).

Fletcher's sensitivity is commendable, his curiosity and misunderstanding easy to relate to as it is all to easy to want something (or someone! Fletcher loves his tree, but when autumn comes he begins to fear that something terrible is happening--for the leaves begin to turn color and fall off. This book shares the precious innocence that children will easily relate to and the gorgeous artwork is such a treat. Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” is a cute story about the beauty of changes in weather that I am sure that many children who are interested in knowing what happens to the trees during winter and autumn will easily enjoy for many years!Tiphanie Beeke’s illustrations are cute and beautiful, especially of the image of Fletcher himself as he has black dotted eyes, a short bushy tail, large ears and reddish-orange fur. I love the way that Julia Rawlinson makes Fletcher into such a cute and determined character and what I really loved about Fletcher was how he did not understand about how it is natural for leaves to fall off the trees during winter and autumn but it made him into a caring and determined character which many children will definitely relate to Fletcher’s predicament as I am pretty sure that some small children wondered about what happens to the leaves on the trees during winter and autumn just like little Fletcher here! Fletcher And The Falling Leaves features cozy artwork, introducing readers to a curious fox named Fletcher whose looking to protect his favorite tree as the seasons change and the leaves begin to fall. I have loved this picture book ever since I first read it, and I asked for a copy for Christmas when I was sixteen. Since then I have written lots of stories about rabbits, bears, mules, dragons, hedgehogs, squirrels, mice, a kind-hearted but easily confused fox.

I didn't really like the story at all, I don't know what it was but the little fox going around trying to put the leaves back on the tree just wasn't cute for me. I could definitely relate to this fox; telling a tree it will get better seems like something I would have done as a kid. Fletcher si rubah kecil yang amat menyukai sebuah pohon harus berurusan dengan angin dan tupai dan landak karena mencuri semua dedaunan. The oil pastel art not only incorporates the colors of fall/autumn and winter, but also is very nice to look at, going well with the heartfelt tale. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

All of the copies in the library system were checked out or requested, so I used my own, and it was really special. This charming autumnal picture book for young children with a gentle caring storyline by Julia Rawlinson is brought to life with stunning artwork by Tiphanie Beeke. Having spent the last 8+ years on a tropical island, I can understand how someone who has never seen the fall might be confused. I adore the pastel created illustrations; they’re the kind I can see in my mind and would love to be able to create, but can’t get down on paper the way I’d like.

This went over very well on Saturday, when there were more preschoolers and kindergartners, and I enjoyed sharing it. The final page, in which Fletcher finally sees his tree in a new light, was particularly beautiful, offering a satisfying reassurance that, while change has come, it hasn't destroyed the tree's beauty. The picture book was introducing a lot of themes here from the melancholy of Fletcher's feelings to the grief of his favorite tree changing to only being able to hold onto just a few leaves, seeing animals take the falling leaves leaving him with a sense of worry and much more.

There's a melancholy to the story as Fletcher is confused and sad as to why the leaves continue to fall, so he protects the leaves day after day, but as the season changes the reader understands his grief. She had a great opportunity to help him learn about seasons, but instead left him feeling, well, confused and sad and worried.

I read this aloud to 4-year-olds today, and I have never, ever heard such audible gasps of "ohhhh"s as I did when I revealed the final page. I am actually writing a review of this picture book because I saw that it was published in Great Britain as "Ferdie and the Falling Leaves," and as an American I am horribly offended that we couldn't be trusted with a fox named Ferdie. Deeply attached to his favorite tree, Fletcher was terribly worried, as autumn proceeded, to notice it losing leaves. Each morning, Fletcher would come out of the den and explore the world, but then he realizes that the tree’s leaves were turning gold and beginning to fall off the tree. edit: I just read Leaf Trouble and I like it much more, and not only because the mom actually explains what is happening, and what will happen in the spring.I have always loved writing poetry - I enjoy the sound and rhythm of words and the first things I published were poems. Fletcher is such a sweet character, and the book's gentle exploration of accepting change is perfect. I grew up in London, close to Richmond Park - a beautiful deer park big enough to get lost in, where I got to know lots of the animals who have since popped up in my stories.