Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
74th out of 104 books
—
65 voters
A Leaf Can Be...
by
Laura Purdie Salas (Goodreads Author),
Violeta Dabija
A leaf can be a . . .
Shade spiller
Mouth filler
Tree topper
Rain stopper
Find out about the many roles leaves play in this poetic exploration of leaves throughout the year.
Shade spiller
Mouth filler
Tree topper
Rain stopper
Find out about the many roles leaves play in this poetic exploration of leaves throughout the year.
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
February 1st 2012
by Millbrook Press
(first published January 1st 2012)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
447)
Leaves are "sun takers" and "food makers", "air cleaners" and "Earth greeners". Laura Purdie Salas' delightful word choices and Violeta Dabija's round, joyful illustrations celebrate the many roles that leaves play in Nature. In the back, Saldas explains each phrase with additional information about leaves and includes a short glossary of scientific terms.
A Leaf Can Be... by Laura Purdie Salas, illustrated by Violeta Dabija, is a poetic explanation of the many roles a leaf may fill.
Dabija's glowing, peaceful illustrations highlight the brief text, particularly the pages with rhyming couplets, such as soft craddle, leaf laddle, or air cleaner, earth greener. Some pages seem to have texture. My favorite images are soft craddle, tree topper, skin welter, shade spiller, earth greener, hill glow-er, frost catcher, and discover.
Salas' simple, whimsical...more
Dabija's glowing, peaceful illustrations highlight the brief text, particularly the pages with rhyming couplets, such as soft craddle, leaf laddle, or air cleaner, earth greener. Some pages seem to have texture. My favorite images are soft craddle, tree topper, skin welter, shade spiller, earth greener, hill glow-er, frost catcher, and discover.
Salas' simple, whimsical...more
In poetic language and simple rhyming text, the author extolls the many uses of a leaf. The words she chooses are delightful, imaginative, and downright fun to say; for instance, she describes a leaf as a "soft cradle" (unpaginated) paired with a "water ladle" (unpaginated), and a "frost catcher" paired with a "moth matcher" (unpaginated). While some of these creations are fairly obvious, others are quite original and will aid readers in seeing leaves differently. Backmatter includes explanation...more
A wonderful book that shows very simply and beautifully, in flowing rhymes with soft, whimsical, yet vibrant illustrations that a leaf is not just a leaf – it is and can be many different things – other than the obvious. It can, of course be, a sun-taker, and it can also be a moth-matcher!
The book takes us through the seasons to show the many faces of the leaf during the many phases of the year. Author Laura Purdie Salas and illustrator Violeta Dabija have blended their talents to bring together...more
The book takes us through the seasons to show the many faces of the leaf during the many phases of the year. Author Laura Purdie Salas and illustrator Violeta Dabija have blended their talents to bring together...more
A Leaf Can Be is imaginative nonfiction at its best. By exploring the different jobs a leaf could have from mouth filler to ground warmer, rain stopper to nest warmer this book is a great discussion starter to use with children to see if they can think of other jobs leafs play in nature or as an jumping to board to create fiction based on one of these jobs. This book also lends itself well to studying the seasons as all four seasons are represented in this book as well.
Violetta Dabija has create...more
Violetta Dabija has create...more
Feb 05, 2012
Meagan Myhren-bennett
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Home Schoolers, Families, School Libraries, Public Libraries
A Leaf Can Be...
By Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrations by Violeta Dabija
In simple but descriptive language the various functions of leaves are shown.
The first section illustrations with one to two words name the various jobs of leaves in nature.
The second section describes the functions and purpose of the different jobs.
The final section is a glossary of the terms used in the book and suggestions for further reading on leaves.
The poetic rhythm and illustrations will capture the attention of young li...more
By Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrations by Violeta Dabija
In simple but descriptive language the various functions of leaves are shown.
The first section illustrations with one to two words name the various jobs of leaves in nature.
The second section describes the functions and purpose of the different jobs.
The final section is a glossary of the terms used in the book and suggestions for further reading on leaves.
The poetic rhythm and illustrations will capture the attention of young li...more
Rhyming text and illustrations explore some of the many things a leaf can be, from tree topper to rain stopper. Includes facts about leafs and a glossary.
A leaf is a leaf—
A bit of a tree.
But just try to guess
What else it can be!
This book, A Leaf Can Be . . . is a feast for your eyes. Astonishingly beautiful seen on a computer, I can only imagine what this book looks like in print. Told in rhyming text and illustrations that need each other to work as wonderfully as they do in A Leaf Can Be . . ....more
A leaf is a leaf—
A bit of a tree.
But just try to guess
What else it can be!
This book, A Leaf Can Be . . . is a feast for your eyes. Astonishingly beautiful seen on a computer, I can only imagine what this book looks like in print. Told in rhyming text and illustrations that need each other to work as wonderfully as they do in A Leaf Can Be . . ....more
"Soft cradle. Water ladle. Sun taker. Food maker. Tree topper. Rain stopper. Skin welter. Bat shelter." What a wonderful rhyming rhapsody on leaves in their many varied glories! The book concludes with an in-depth look at each of a leaf's roles. "Soft cradle: Certain kinds of caterpillars spin cocoons around themselves and turn into moths. Some caterpillars spin their cocoon right on leaves. The leaf acts as a cradle, keeping the cocoon safe until the moth comes out." A brilliant book to bring a...more
A leaf can be... Oh my what a wonderful book! This book really appealed to me because of its simplistic language and style, its creative illustrations and the fact that it can have so many uses in the classroom!! I love how every page only has a few words, but those words go with the illustrations in a perfect way. I love the rhyming within the story! I just LOVE this story.. My favorite page has to be the last, I think how it says, "A leaf is a leaf- a bit of a tree. Now go and discover what el...more
This is a beautifully illustrated poem book. The pictures are dreamlike. It is intended for preschoolers and school age children. It describes the roles of leaves, from “sun takers” to “ food makers.” The words are filled with fun rhymes. The text is simple enough for a beginning reader and the back includes a glossary of unknown words. This is a very informative poem book which could be used to teach a lesson on nature. Even with it's two worded rhymes, it can be used for older children as well...more
Beautiful Verse Detailing the Life of a Leaf
A Leaf Can Be…. is a beautiful story of the many things that leaves do in the world. The pictures are beautiful and the information presented in such a way that allows for learning and discussion. The verses are restful and informative. The text is too difficult for beginning readers, but the ideas beneficial for K-2 learning. It could also be used in classes to supplement science lessons on trees or the environment by including beautiful poetry and il...more
A Leaf Can Be…. is a beautiful story of the many things that leaves do in the world. The pictures are beautiful and the information presented in such a way that allows for learning and discussion. The verses are restful and informative. The text is too difficult for beginning readers, but the ideas beneficial for K-2 learning. It could also be used in classes to supplement science lessons on trees or the environment by including beautiful poetry and il...more
Salas presents some of the things a leaf can be with delightful, whimsical illustrations by Violeta Dabija that present the "can be" elements on facing pages.
One of my favorite spreads depicts a child under a tree with the words, "shade spiller". The facing page shows a giraffe at twilight with the words, "mouth filler."
The back of the book offers non-fiction approaches to explanations of how a life can be that particular "thing."
Pair this one up with classic picture books like Lois Ehlert's...more
One of my favorite spreads depicts a child under a tree with the words, "shade spiller". The facing page shows a giraffe at twilight with the words, "mouth filler."
The back of the book offers non-fiction approaches to explanations of how a life can be that particular "thing."
Pair this one up with classic picture books like Lois Ehlert's...more
A leaf is more than just a simple part of a tree. Many of a leaf's uses are described in simple rhyming pairs such as, "skin welter, bat shelter. shade spiller, mouth filler". The cute illustrations add some character to the minimal text while displaying a variety of shades of greens and browns that are befitting to a book about leaves. As a bonus, at the end of the book there are a few pages giving more detailed information for each statement. This is great as it makes this picture book accessi...more
A LEAF CAN BE... is magnificently illustrated. It has a soft, light, airy and whimsical feel to it. I wanted to put some of these illustrations on my walls.
The book itself is rhyming and short but is quite informative, I wanted to keep reading. At the end of the book, there is an explanation on the jobs of leaves, along with a glossary on a few words that are used.
The way the author incorporates many seasons, is not only great for the story, but ingenious in that way that this book can be read...more
The book itself is rhyming and short but is quite informative, I wanted to keep reading. At the end of the book, there is an explanation on the jobs of leaves, along with a glossary on a few words that are used.
The way the author incorporates many seasons, is not only great for the story, but ingenious in that way that this book can be read...more
First of all, the illustrations are gorgeous. Good job, Violeta Dabija. I am enchanted.
The writing is rather melodic (a very good bedtime story? I have yet to test this with my wee ones). What really caught my attention was the More About Leaves section at the end of the book. An older reader has supplemental information for younger questions, or just good discussion information. Classrooms could easily incorporate this book into an Earth Day lesson. What more can I say? It's an excellent book.
The writing is rather melodic (a very good bedtime story? I have yet to test this with my wee ones). What really caught my attention was the More About Leaves section at the end of the book. An older reader has supplemental information for younger questions, or just good discussion information. Classrooms could easily incorporate this book into an Earth Day lesson. What more can I say? It's an excellent book.
A leaf can be many things. It can be a "shade spiller" or a "mouth filler." This book explores the many aspects of a leaf and all it can be in an enjoyable poetic tour of all things leafy. Accompanied by soft illustrations of cool blues and greens or warm yellows and golds, we glide through the rhythm of the words as if we too are leaves moving on the wind. Reading this book aloud as a bedtime book or to a group will only add to its ability to evoke all those wonderful thing a leaf can be.
Great book for a read aloud to preschool thru 2nd grade. Each page tells a use of the leaf as a sun catcher, mouth filler, frost catcher, air cleaner, and much more.
"A leaf is a leaf- a bit of a tree. Now go and discover what else it can be!"
The notes at the end tell more about what each phrase means about the leaf. I wish though that the information was actually on the same page so you could read it once through without the background info and once through reading the background info to explai...more
"A leaf is a leaf- a bit of a tree. Now go and discover what else it can be!"
The notes at the end tell more about what each phrase means about the leaf. I wish though that the information was actually on the same page so you could read it once through without the background info and once through reading the background info to explai...more
This is a great book about everything a leaf can be...in the spring AND the fall, which makes it a perfect book for both seasonal story time programs. It also has a great index and glossary explaining "leaf" terms that can lead to extension activities. Also, you could point out to the kids why the leaves are doing what they're doing and talk about each picture.
Mar 05, 2012
Mary
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Teachers doing leaf/nature/metaphor units
Shelves:
children-s,
picture-books
Simple text and beautiful illustrations show readers all of the things a leaf can be - from the (somewhat) obvious: Ground warmer/Nest former to the less obvious: Fine healer/Snake concealer. This would be a good book to use not only in the fall when teachers tend to do units on leaves, but also year-round to show what "a leaf can be" through the four seasons.
I loved the illustrations, though they seem to be more appropriate to a fiction book. They are so dreamy, but sort of non-specific. I do like it as a preschool book--I think it fits well in the curriculum of most preschools. I'm not sure if we have room in the non-fiction for it, but if it were not a non-fiction I'd buy it.
The many things that leaves are and do are described in two word phrases. I like the illustrations. Some appear to be inked leaves pressed on paper. Others have an almost ethereal spring feeling. Includes: Four page addendum describes in greater detail about those phrases. Glossary. Further reading.
This is less a story and more a stream of consciousness. It invites discussion while reading. It also has an excellent resource/read aloud section in the back that covers the things "a leaf can be" in depth.
This could be an excellent way to introduce multiple types of science and EE lessons.
This could be an excellent way to introduce multiple types of science and EE lessons.
Simply delightful book, just love the illustrations!! Our school library as well as public have it cataloged in the easy section, but it really is an information book, disguised as a story in verse. Can't wait til a class wants a lesson on plants!
This is a rhyming list of all the things a leaf can be. Sweet, sweet book. I don't really have much else to say about this book...other than I think I should go out and find some leaves and make some fun projects with them. Because there are all sorts of things that a leaf can be.
Wonderful nonfiction book about leaves told in poetic form. I appreciated the extended informational notes in the back as well as the glossary and "for further reading" section. A great addition to any biology unit on plants.
Simple rhyming phrases paired with vivid, glowing images in all shades of green. Concludes with a "More About Leaves" section, which elaborates on the previous material, and a glossary. A beautiful, earth-friendly book.
Love Dabija's glowing illustrations and how Salas, in rhyming couplets, shows all kinds of things a leaf can be:
"Tree topper/ rain stopper/ skin welter/ bat shelter"
Author's note at the end for more information on each verse.
"Tree topper/ rain stopper/ skin welter/ bat shelter"
Author's note at the end for more information on each verse.
A leaf can be many things, like a "frost catcher. . .moth matcher. . .pile grower. . .hill glow-er." Follow the whimsical text and captivating pictures through the many things a leaf can be.
ARC provided by Net Galley(dot)com
ARC provided by Net Galley(dot)com
Useful, especially for preschool and K teachers.
Fun invitation at the end. What else can a leaf be?
Rhyming, poetry-like language.
Appealing stylized illustrations.
Will use as a display book during storytimes.
Fun invitation at the end. What else can a leaf be?
Rhyming, poetry-like language.
Appealing stylized illustrations.
Will use as a display book during storytimes.
This book would be wonderful as a read-aloud for young children and as an anticipatory set for older children...tackling word choice and fluency would be a simple task if you used this as a mentor text, I think.
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
Laura Purdie Salas is the author of more than 100 books for kids and teens, including BOOKSPEAK! POEMS ABOUT BOOKS (Clarion, 2011) and STAMPEDE! POEMS ABOUT THE WILD SIDE OF SCHOOL (Clarion, 2009). POEMS ABOUT FALL. She loves to introduce kids to poetry and help them find poems they can relate to, no matter what their age, mood, and personality. She has also written many nonfiction books.
Besides r...more
More about Laura Purdie Salas...
Besides r...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
