The Little Yellow Leaf

 Dear Friends,

As much as we love October, we have to admit there is something extra special about the time between Halloween and Thanksgiving. All of the ghosts and jack-o-lanterns are packed away, and we have a few turkeys set out, but this particular time seems more focused on the beauty of the changing leaves, the special autumn glow of the sun, and the beginning anticipations of the holiday season to come. The hustle and bustle of the holidays is right around the corner, so take this time to enjoy kicking through the leaves and reading good books with your young reader. 

 

The Little Yellow Leaf

by Carin Berger

The Little Yellow Leaf is a quiet book that upon first glance may seem deceptively simple but once you begin the story you will be quickly captivated by the little yellow leaf that is hesitant to follow his friends and leave the familiar surroundings of its branch and float to the ground below. Repeatedly the little leaf thinks, “I’m not ready yet,” or “Not yet, not yet,” as he watches all the signs of fall appear and then winter begin to set in. The little leaf feels very alone until something surprising happens to make the change seem not so scary. 

 

 

As equally captivating as the story, the illustrations will draw you back again and again as each page reveals collages done in graph paper, notebook paper, old receipts, and even newspaper, but crafted so beautifully that your eye will not initially recognize the individual raw materials, but only see the autumn landscape.

The Little Yellow Leaf is a true autumn classic that is sure to become a perennial favorite.

 

In this Issue

• Little Yellow Leaf Wreath
• Little Yellow Leafwiches

 

Little Yellow Leaf Wreath

Going for a nature walk and hunting for special leaves to create a wreath is a fun way to bring the story of The Little Yellow Leaf to life. Observing the beautiful colors, hearing the rustle of leaves as you walk through them, and examining the treasures collected on a nature walk make for the perfect way to spend some time outdoors and enjoy the beauty of autumn.

 

Why We Like It

• Using leaves as an art material encourages creativity.
• Collecting leaves and hunting for specific colored leaves encourages observational skills.

Little Yellow Leaf Wreath

What You Will Need

• Paper plate
• Scissors
• Glue
• Leaves – be sure to collect at least 1 little yellow leaf
• Yarn
• Hole punch

How To Do It

1. Go for a nature walk and collect leaves. Explain to your young reader you will need several leaves and 2 very special leaves.
2. Cut the center from the paper plate, leaving the rim to form the circular wreath shape.
3. Ask your young reader to examine all of the leaves that were collected and select a little yellow leaf and a little red leaf. Set the chosen leaves aside.
4. Invite your young reader to use the glue to attach the other leaves to the wreath shape.
5. Tie a length of yarn around the stem of the selected little yellow leaf. Do the same to the selected little red leaf.
6. Using the hole punch, punch a hole in the bottom of the wreath.
7. Thread the lengths of yarn through the hole and knot to attach.
8. Punch a hole in the top of the wreath and attach a loop of yarn for hanging.

 

 

Little Yellow Leafwiches

Bring Little Yellow Leaf into your kitchen by spending some time with your young reader baking a delicious (and healthy) loaf of pumpkin bread, and then have some fun creating leafwiches. Depending on your fillings, leafwiches can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or a special snack on a fall afternoon. 

Pumpkin Bread

Adapted from Honey Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread.

Make 1 9x5 inch loaf.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cloves
• 1/4 cup water

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda.
3. In a medium bowl, beat together the oil and honey. Beat in eggs, then stir in pumpkin, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and water until thoroughly combined.
4. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and stir until just combined. Pour in prepared pan. 
5. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pan briefly before transferring loaf to a cooling rack to cool completely. 

Leafwiches

1. Slice cooled pumpkin bread and cut into a leaf shape. To assist young readers in cutting their own leaf shape, use a skewer to make two hole on each side of a slice and insert one raisin in each. Use a knife to cut a curved line from one point to the other, then repeat on other side. 
2. Repeat with desired number of slices. Fill two pieces with your favorite sweet sandwich or toast spread, such as butter and jam or peanut or another nut butter. 

One Year Ago: Fletcher and the Falling Leaves In this sweet book by Julia Rawlinson, Fletcher doesn't understand what is happening to his favorite tree when it begins losing its leaves. 

Two Years Ago: Miss Suzy lives “in the tip, tip, top of a tall oak tree,” until a bunch of hoodlum red squirrels chase her from her lovely home. Find out what happens in this vintage classic by Miriam Young and illustrated by Arnold Lobel. 

Comments

[Jeanine]

I just had to stop by to say how much I truly appreciate and love your blog here! It's so helpful having so much information about the huge selection of children's books, when trying to decide which to purchase! Thanks again!