A Leaf Can Be…

A Leaf Can Be…

By Laura Purdie Salas

Illustrations by Violeta Dabija

Millbrook Press, 2012

ISBN #978-0-7613-6203-6

Grades K-2

Nonfiction picture book

"A leaf can be a…Shade spiller…Mouth filler…Tree topper…Rain stopper…."

Spare, simple verse follows the many ways leaves contribute to nature and life in this lovely, appealing picture book. The job of leaves changes with the changing seasons and the book traces these events with Salas's lyrical poetrytext. Soft greens wash the pages until the seasons change and Dabija's mixed media art makes the book lovely and soft, inviting the reader into a gentle, and sometimes not so gentle, world of nature.

Back matter includes specific facts and examples of each of the word choices used. The book also has glossary and further reading suggestions.

Activity

Take a leaf walk. Each time you see a different kind of leaf, have one child collect one. Back inside, draw outlines of each leaf. Then decide on a way to organize the leaves by finding similar characteristics. Post and label your collection with the categories.

Scroll down at this site to see lots of leaf activities.

The author has a site with activities to accompany the book. She also has links to fun leaf activities there.

National Science Standard: Variation of traits; structure and function

Book provided by Lerner.