As all the other leaves float off and fly past, Little Yellow Leaf thinks, "I'm not ready yet."
As the seasons change all around, Little Ye... read full description
reviews
Oct 07, 2008
Gwen the Librarian
rated it: 
This is a graphically gorgeous and quiet fall story. It is autumn and a little yellow leaf is hanging from a tree in the forest. Other leaves start falling and flying away from their tree, but the little yellow leaf isn't ready yet. All through the autumn the leaf is not ready to leave the tree. Will the little leaf every fly away?
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Sep 02, 2008
Carter
rated it:
I like this one. So very nice. One of my favorite scenes is where the sun sets and the words follow it down the page. I also love how the two children are illustrated in the book. Also, how you can occasionally see words written on the leaves. So much in this book is beautiful. "Are you ready?" 1, 2, 3...
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Dec 18, 2008
Kate Hastings
rated it:
Caldecott contender 09. A little yellow leaf isn't ready to leave-- and holds on until winter, all alone. When he discovers a red leaf at the top of the tree, they decide to let go... together. Beautiful.
0 comments
like
(3 people liked it)
Aug 27, 2008
Alison
rated it:
Picture books don't get any more beautiful than this. A new fall favorite!!
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
Apr 06, 2009
Kayne
rated it:
I wish I could have picked this for the Caldecott Winner! What creative, excellent Art! It is very exciting.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 03, 2009
Rose
rated it:
This picture books beautifully depicts a lone leaf's struggle to not let go - it doesn't want to embrace change (i.e. the changing of the seasons; it's fall from the tree). But when it discovers a like-minded leaf, or a friend, it feels able to take the leap into the unknown. The illustrations are stunning - rich yellows, reds and browns, set on a background of a variety of papers re: textures and styles. A must read for the topic of seasons and changing seasons, as well as the issue of facing t
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 17, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
rated it: 
Well, Abigail, I made the connection, and I haven't even actually read Leo Buscaglia's Freddie book. (Flipped through it at the library once.) I liked your review. And I liked Lisa Vegan's, in which she says (among other interesting things) that if the text had matched the pictures she'd have given this another star or two. I agree. The art is wonderful indeed.
I don't quite see the 'death' in this. Buscaglia refers to death and rebirth, but this is about embarking on a new adve More...
I don't quite see the 'death' in this. Buscaglia refers to death and rebirth, but this is about embarking on a new adve More...
Dec 19, 2008
Tracie
rated it:
These pictures are beautiful and calming and the story is sweet.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 18, 2008
Julie
rated it:
This was a beautiful story about letting go and flying free. :)
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 13, 2008
Joann
rated it:
A perfect, quiet fall story. Fine for a fall story time. Beautiful art.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 22, 2010
Kim
rated it:
The little yellow leaf is not ready to let go of the branch of a great oak tree. The leaf’s thoughts are indicated with italic type, and when the yellow leaf spies a scarlet leaf high across the tree, their dialogue of few words is shouted in larger font. The layout and wording of the text is poetic. The pages are filled with warm, autumn colors that shift to a few pages of cool winter blues as the setting changes. The illustrations were created using collage. It appears that several of the i
More...
Mar 22, 2011
Kathryn
rated it: 
A little story about a leaf not ready to fall from the tree. The art work is very unique. I'm not sure what the style is called, but I'd never seen it before. Now everytime I see one last leaf or two on a tree in the fall I will think of this book.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 17, 2008
Tamara
rated it:
How beautiful!
Favorite Quote:
I'm not ready yet, thought the Little Yellow Lead as a riot of fiery leaves chased and swirled round the tree.
Favorite Quote:
I'm not ready yet, thought the Little Yellow Lead as a riot of fiery leaves chased and swirled round the tree.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 05, 2010
Amanda
rated it:
This book had a very unique way of using color all around, but very few images per page.
This children's book appeared to have quite a bit of space around the pictures. While the space was filled with color, there were few images/elements per page. The texture appeared to be very smooth, but the pages did have some different patterning that was different than the other books that I was analyzing. The use of line was definitely very horizonal or vertical. In fact, many of the backg More...
This children's book appeared to have quite a bit of space around the pictures. While the space was filled with color, there were few images/elements per page. The texture appeared to be very smooth, but the pages did have some different patterning that was different than the other books that I was analyzing. The use of line was definitely very horizonal or vertical. In fact, many of the backg More...
Nov 05, 2008
Suzanne
rated it:
Beautiful art and soothing, rythmic language will make this a fall favorite! Definite Caldecott contender.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 11, 2008
Cindi
rated it:
A perfect book for fall/winter. I just loved it!
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 27, 2008
Dawn
rated it:
This is a little book with a great big message about the power of friendship.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Nov 23, 2010
Jennie
rated it:
This book is one of my favorites for fall, and I use it for read alouds with kindergarteners and first graders during some of the first autumn weeks. We could spend an hour talking about the book, and I love to point out the illustrations, especially the afternoon sun, and one of the mountains, which is actually a water bill from 1914. We do a lot of re-purposing at our school, and it's a great example of saving random stuff for art's sake. Discussions invariably turn towards how important frien
More...
Sep 20, 2010
Natalie
rated it:
i would have this book on my wall.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 25, 2010
Lisa
rated it:
Hmm. I checked and this book was first published in 2008, but it feels like one of those touchy feely books that was so popular 40 years prior to that.
I loved the illustrations. They make this a beautiful book. Even the slightly unusual shape of the book makes it a stunner.
I think I was in too vile a mood to enjoy the story very much. I suppose this would make an appropriate gift for any child or adult about to embark on a new phase of life: new school, etc. While I’m su More...
I loved the illustrations. They make this a beautiful book. Even the slightly unusual shape of the book makes it a stunner.
I think I was in too vile a mood to enjoy the story very much. I suppose this would make an appropriate gift for any child or adult about to embark on a new phase of life: new school, etc. While I’m su More...
3 comments
like
(4 people liked it)
May 19, 2010
Abigail
rated it:
Reading through the reviews of this book, both here on goodreads and elsewhere on the internet, I'm struck by the fact that no one else has drawn the comparison I think fairly leaps to mind. Namely, that between Carin Berger's recent The Little Yellow Leaf, and Leo Buscaglia's classic picture-book explanation of death, The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. The two narratives are so very similar, in fact - a leaf clings to its tree as the autumn deepens into winter, afraid to let go, and face whatever co
More...
12 comments
like
(5 people liked it)
Oct 03, 2009
Kathryn
rated it:
A visually beautiful book with a touching story. Little Yellow Leaf is not ready to fall from the tree--even though he watches other leaves swirling around through the autumn activities a fallen leaf might experience or see. He thinks he is all alone in his reluctance. But, then, he sees another leaf clinging far up the tree and they decide to "let go" together. The collage art is intriguing adds the finishing touches to this cozy and thoughtful autumn read.
Dec 03, 2008
your neighborhood librarian
rated it:
Was entranced by the art. Not with the story. The whole 'last leaf hanging on' thing always puts me in mind of that maudlin O. Henry story about the sick girl and the painter... plus, ok I'm a literal-minded person, but the leaf? is DEAD. And is just hanging there getting deader. I will always pick up anything illustrated by Carin Berger and stare and stare at her collages, and wonder where she gets her paper, but the words I could skip.
Jan 24, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
The images take precedence in this charming, spare little tale of courage (the little yellow leaf doesn't want to let go of the branch as the weather harshens). Inviting the kids to notice what's going on in the illustrations is critical to engaging them in the story. My PreK/K's were delighted to recognize graph paper and printed words in the leaf cutouts.
Oct 04, 2010
Heidi
rated it: 
This isn't too bad. I was reading it with a storytime in mind and not sure how I might make it work. I think most of the interest is in the illustrations and how they were created. That will got lost in a crowd, or in too young of an audience. But I won't rule out the book just yet. The story part was all right, but I do like that the leaf let go of its own will.
Aug 17, 2010
Jane
rated it:
Another very lovely new picture book.It's a story about courage, and fear, and friendship...
It's very simple in both the text and the illustrative style, but powerful emotionally. I just love this new find; I keep renewing it from the library just so I can re-read it to John Ronan. Sometimes I just read it to myself :)
It's very simple in both the text and the illustrative style, but powerful emotionally. I just love this new find; I keep renewing it from the library just so I can re-read it to John Ronan. Sometimes I just read it to myself :)
Jan 13, 2012
Inna
rated it:
-great way to introduce the seasons
-follow the leaf as it transitions from autumn to winter.
-very creative illustrations
-can be used to an activity where the children make their own little booklet of differences between autumn and winter
-different color leaves, different birds, different activities to do
-follow the leaf as it transitions from autumn to winter.
-very creative illustrations
-can be used to an activity where the children make their own little booklet of differences between autumn and winter
-different color leaves, different birds, different activities to do
Oct 19, 2011
Robin
rated it:
One little leaf isn't ready to fall . . . Text is short but notable, "Not ready, thought the Little Yellow Leaf as a heavy harvest moon bloomed amber in the starry sky." --Clearly care take with choice of every word. Berger's illustrations are a highlight. Paper is really thick and heavy too -- nice design.
