Book Reviews by Bonnie Fisher

Author: Lois Ehlert. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Harcourt Children’s Books (1991); Nuts to You, Voyager Books-Harcourt (1998); Leaf Man, Harcourt Children’s Books (2005). Recommended for ages 3 through 8.

I’m thrilled every autumn when the maples dress the drowsy lawns in bright skirts. I’m always disappointed when the skirts fade and crumble. Artist Lois Ehlert, like me (and like you, I suspect), is subject to that fall obsession, the maple leaf stoop. For years she’s collected colorful leaves and pressed them in her phone book. Recently she began color copying the leaves to preserve the fresh colors of September and early October for the beautiful collages she creates for children.

Ehlert has written and illustrated many acclaimed books for young children. Three of them offer her art in the context of simple stories about the experiences of autumn for children and those who read to them.

In Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf, Ehlert takes us, through the eyes of a child, on the journey of a maple tree she calls “my tree.” Born in a forest, transplanted to a tree nursery, purchased by the child and her father and planted in their yard, the maple thrives under the child’s affectionate care.

The book is rich with simple words and complex art. Ehlert uses real leaves, twigs, roots, paint, crinkled paper leaves, seeds and more in this autumn adventure. Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf features a section with straightforward information about trees that will intrigue children, already drawn in through story.

Leaf Man tells the tale of a child’s imaginary man composed of whimsically scattered leaves. Carried by gusts of wind, Leaf Man floats over gardens and prairies, up over the lake and along the river. Collages place leaves against painted backdrops of Leaf Man’s travels.

In addition to the art, children will enjoy Ehlert’s playful repetition of “a Leaf Man’s got to go where the wind blows.” By the way, besides Leaf Man, there are also leaf chickens and ducks, leaf fish and even a leaf moose. What fun to try and find them.

What would autumn be without a pesky squirrel? Ehlert’s particular pest shows up first in Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf and later in Leaf Man, but it is the star of Nuts to You. Perky, bright-eyed Squirrel digs up Mom’s bulbs, sits in Mom’s flowers, always hovers near. Why? The child in this story always has a nut in her pocket which she judiciously drops.

Ehlert’s picture books are wonderful opportunities for adults to share fine art and stories about the natural world with young children. The digital age allows for such rich artwork as Ehlert’s to be affordably replicated in full-page illustrations.