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Fall Is Not Easy
Fall is a tough time of year for a lot of us. Kids have to go back to school, teachers and football players have to go back to work, and parents have to look for new places to hide holiday presents. But perhaps fall is hardest of all on trees. After all, they have to change their entire appearance every year! This book is the rhyming story of a tree's humorous struggles to change its colours for fall. And it's a perfect introduction to the seasons for young children.
The tree in Fall Is Not Easy has its share of trouble with its fall colors. No matter what it tries, nothing comes out quite right. What will our struggling tree friend end up looking like? A smiley face? A cow? An "Eat at Joe's" sign? We'll never tell.
The tree in Fall Is Not Easy has its share of trouble with its fall colors. No matter what it tries, nothing comes out quite right. What will our struggling tree friend end up looking like? A smiley face? A cow? An "Eat at Joe's" sign? We'll never tell.
30 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1998
2 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews
October 16, 2015
* * * Read to me by my niece Emma * * *
I'll tell you what's not easy, listening to a 1st grader butcher the English language!
I kid. Honestly, Emma's getting along fine. Watching her fumble over the occasional word can be frustrating, and I do need to curb my habit of jumping in and feeding her the correct words, but she's getting better.
Fall is Not Easy was our after-school read and we both liked it well enough.
"Why isn't Fall easy," Emma asked me as we picked up the book.
"That's why were going to read it, to find out," I exclaimed and might have added a "ya knucklehead" at the end.
I think Emma was worried that Fall was difficult for everyone and just hadn't heard yet. Being that it's October and probably the first time in her life she's truly understood what that means, one can understand her concern. She needn't have worried. It's only difficult for this poor sod of a tree, which has to jump through hoops during the foliage season.
Not much of a learning book, Fall is Not Easy is more just a light, fun read that satisfied a 1st grader's need to put in some reading time. If we had time, we would've gone on to other more enjoyable reads, but someone wanted to be wrapped up like a burrito...
I'll tell you what's not easy, listening to a 1st grader butcher the English language!
I kid. Honestly, Emma's getting along fine. Watching her fumble over the occasional word can be frustrating, and I do need to curb my habit of jumping in and feeding her the correct words, but she's getting better.
Fall is Not Easy was our after-school read and we both liked it well enough.
"Why isn't Fall easy," Emma asked me as we picked up the book.
"That's why were going to read it, to find out," I exclaimed and might have added a "ya knucklehead" at the end.
I think Emma was worried that Fall was difficult for everyone and just hadn't heard yet. Being that it's October and probably the first time in her life she's truly understood what that means, one can understand her concern. She needn't have worried. It's only difficult for this poor sod of a tree, which has to jump through hoops during the foliage season.
Not much of a learning book, Fall is Not Easy is more just a light, fun read that satisfied a 1st grader's need to put in some reading time. If we had time, we would've gone on to other more enjoyable reads, but someone wanted to be wrapped up like a burrito...
November 5, 2016
Winter is easy.
My branches are bare.
Then snow starts to melt
And spring's in the air.
(and so forth through the seasons...
until fall)
Here the illustrations are a riot.
When leaves change color do they make
a Rainbow?
a Smiley face?
etc.--going through 8 more silly trys.
It would be fun to distribute coloring sheets with just a tree outline and challenge the children to make their own silly fall leaf design.
My branches are bare.
Then snow starts to melt
And spring's in the air.
(and so forth through the seasons...
until fall)
Here the illustrations are a riot.
When leaves change color do they make
a Rainbow?
a Smiley face?
etc.--going through 8 more silly trys.
It would be fun to distribute coloring sheets with just a tree outline and challenge the children to make their own silly fall leaf design.
October 21, 2008
The seasons are told from a tree’s point of view with fall season having a lot of tongue in cheek turn of events before autumn is shown as is. The story is cute and funny and is in simple rhyme form. The pictures are a delightful and silly. This is a good introduction to the seasons for young children.
September 14, 2017
This is a really fun book that will be great choice for the toddler audience in my fall-themed craft storytime. I love some of the tree's leaf difficulties. I think the older kids will get that, too.
10/9/10 A perfect choice for craft storytime. The right amount of text for toddlers, and all ages loved seeing the different leaves of the trees and saying what they looked like. Definitely a winner that I must use again this season.
10/12/10 & 10/14/10 Fabulous book for both the Outreach preschool groups and the Outreach toddler group. They got it. They loved guessing what the leaves were doing. And they always got the ending.
10/19/10 & 10/21/10 I used this in both preschool and toddler storytimes, as well as with the special needs group. A hit for all groups and all ages (even the parents). I am now a huge fan of this book.
10/3/12 & 10/4/12 I love this book. You may have guessed that. Such a great one with parents and kids. They love the different leaves and calling out what it is. They love how silly those leaves are!
4/22/15 I was going a Tree theme--I couldn't pass up one of my favorites! And it was short, so I was able to squeeze it in as a 4th book. Perfect closer. The kids always love this.
10/26/16 & 10/27/16 Because I was not as behind some of the other toddler Halloween books I had found, I decided to go with one I knew was awesome and fun. It had a pumpkin in it on one page, so it worked. And the kids and adults loved it. Of course!
9/14/17 Covering for Betsy's toddler storytime with fall theme. The Leaves book from Wed. didn't work so well for me. I lucked out and found this on the shelf and used it instead on Thu. It was a hit. Yay!
10/9/10 A perfect choice for craft storytime. The right amount of text for toddlers, and all ages loved seeing the different leaves of the trees and saying what they looked like. Definitely a winner that I must use again this season.
10/12/10 & 10/14/10 Fabulous book for both the Outreach preschool groups and the Outreach toddler group. They got it. They loved guessing what the leaves were doing. And they always got the ending.
10/19/10 & 10/21/10 I used this in both preschool and toddler storytimes, as well as with the special needs group. A hit for all groups and all ages (even the parents). I am now a huge fan of this book.
10/3/12 & 10/4/12 I love this book. You may have guessed that. Such a great one with parents and kids. They love the different leaves and calling out what it is. They love how silly those leaves are!
4/22/15 I was going a Tree theme--I couldn't pass up one of my favorites! And it was short, so I was able to squeeze it in as a 4th book. Perfect closer. The kids always love this.
10/26/16 & 10/27/16 Because I was not as behind some of the other toddler Halloween books I had found, I decided to go with one I knew was awesome and fun. It had a pumpkin in it on one page, so it worked. And the kids and adults loved it. Of course!
9/14/17 Covering for Betsy's toddler storytime with fall theme. The Leaves book from Wed. didn't work so well for me. I lucked out and found this on the shelf and used it instead on Thu. It was a hit. Yay!
October 9, 2019
Starts out slow and poetic then the unexpected giggles kick in.
January 16, 2016
Great for Autumn story-time.
December 9, 2025
It's always fun to read this halfway through fall just as all the fall holidays are ending and everyone is getting hyped about the winter holidays, but the solstice is a whole month away.
December 2, 2020
- This book is filled with fun rhymes describing the trees’ struggles to go through change every year. Although fall is a busy time for everyone, it’s especially hard on trees! They are constantly having to change their appearance, and this shows us their struggles through the use of rhymes and humor.
- I enjoyed reading this story, especially because of the little humor provided to us. It sends an important message, and the book was fun to read. I can see myself using this book and theme in my classroom.
- I enjoyed reading this story, especially because of the little humor provided to us. It sends an important message, and the book was fun to read. I can see myself using this book and theme in my classroom.
October 18, 2017
With simple, rhyming text and colorful illustrations, this sweet picture book tells about the change of seasons from the tree’s point of view. The tree believes the other seasons are easy, but because of the crazy changes that take place in its leaves colors, fall is the most difficult. This might be a good companion book to Wishtree, by Katherine Applegate. It also could serve as a good mentor text for young writers to write from a different point of view.
January 30, 2019
This had potential for me as the storyline was focused on a single tree and the how the seasons affected it. However, when it came to fall this was the hard season. Why,because the leaves changed colors, and then there ten pages of illustrations of the tree turning into a smiley face or a jack-o-lantern, or whatever.
The good illustrations don’t out weigh the trying to be humorous ones therefore a one star for this title?
The good illustrations don’t out weigh the trying to be humorous ones therefore a one star for this title?
September 21, 2020
For crying out loud! It has been a LONG time since a seasonally focused book surprised me. If I has looked at the back cover, maybe I’d have had a clue... but I didn’t. And, Dear Herbie! did I smile.
My six year old laughed out loud at the Hamburger page and my nine year old loved ‘Eat at Joes’.
Thank you Marty Kelley for the giggles provided by this book. Its as pure as reading with my kids can be.
My six year old laughed out loud at the Hamburger page and my nine year old loved ‘Eat at Joes’.
Thank you Marty Kelley for the giggles provided by this book. Its as pure as reading with my kids can be.
September 28, 2017
Fun book about a tree whose leaves go crazy during the fall. The kids didn't understand why fall wasn't easy, but they sure loved all the crazy colors and patterns the leaves turned. They were all crawling up to take a close look. Particular favorites included the world ("that's where we live!"), "EAT AT JOE's" and the hamburger (my favorite).
December 10, 2018
A tree explains that changing colors in the fall is not as easy as it looks. Silliness abides as it goes through several wrong color on its way to getting it right.
Would make a great storytime selection for a fall or color theme, and the storytime craft possibilities are huge. Will certainly try this one next year.
Would make a great storytime selection for a fall or color theme, and the storytime craft possibilities are huge. Will certainly try this one next year.
January 7, 2021
I can't believe I haven't read this book yet. The tree thinks all of the seasons are easy except for fall. Fall is not easy, the tree wants fiery bright leaves but they look like a smiley face, a pumpkin, a rainbow and others. Just when the tree gets it right, the leaves all fall off the tree. Very nice, I wish the pages were bigger
April 12, 2018
A great story told from the point of view of a tree....about the changing seasons...and other interesting challenges! A cute book with sweet illustrations and a great way to introduce the changing seasons.
November 6, 2018
A simple, fun story about a tree trying to get his leaves right for the autumn time. In the process, the trees make some unique and funny designs with its leaves. Great read aloud for toddlers and preschoolers.
May 25, 2019
This is the perfect book to read with children during the fall. A rhyming and humorous story, you could discuss poetry and humor, too. Another opportunity to teach figurative language. Nature is alive. Perfect for Nature and autumn themed activities. Another great story by Marty Kelley.
September 7, 2019
Very short, simple, and easy to follow, but not especially in a good way. It's a cute concept (a tree whose fall leaves change into different patterns like smiley faces and soccer balls), just not particularly striking or memorable.
October 3, 2019
This book is a lot of fun for a storytime. The poor tree can't seem to figure out how to get it's leaves the appropriate fall color. The pictures are great for having kids build their vocabulary and discover their colors.
December 3, 2019
I did not really like this book. It was simple and there was no plot to it. There are many books out there that teach the seasons, but this one is not as fun as others. The illustrations were simple and did not offer relatable connections to the reader.
September 9, 2022
Nice meter to the prose, sweet simple pictures -- that turn hilarious as fall approaches. Children's Librarian tells me the pictures of the tree trying to get its fall foliage right crack up storytime kids every time.
September 14, 2023
This simple rhyming story told from a tree's perspective--with an unexpected twist halfway through--is perfect for a story time about fall or the change of seasons. A fantastic, interactive read-aloud!
November 7, 2023
What a fun book! Great for older kids who have a lower reading level. Quick to read, easy to understand, and yet funny to think of the designs trees would make if they had control of what colors and patterns their leaves make. Very cute.
July 18, 2017
Cute rhyming book...perfect for fall!
August 22, 2017
This is a great fall book. The leaves change color in the most amazing way.
September 28, 2017
This book is always hit with the preschool/kindergarten crowd!
October 4, 2017
When a picture book delights me with a smile and a laugh out loud it gets read more than once and receives four stars from me.
October 20, 2017
Simply worded and illustrated, it walks you through a single tree going through the seasons. But don't expect the expected ending. Wonderful book.
November 15, 2017
A good book for following the seasons! But a weird storyline about how difficult fall is.
December 5, 2017
A good book from the perspective of a tree going through the seasons.
This would be a good book to read when you go over the four seasons
This would be a good book to read when you go over the four seasons
Displaying 1 - 30 of 135 reviews