The Wishing Leaf: The Perfect Picture Book Read-Aloud for Fall and Winter

PreS-Gr 2–It’s nearly time for a baby bear to go to bed for the winter, but there’s one thing left to do: watch the last leaf of autumn fall. It’s said that whoever sees it fall gets a wish granted. But what should the small bear wish for? And will he be able to persevere as his adorable woodland friends give up and go to their own cozy beds? The illustrations lend a vintage charm while maintaining a modern style. tHowever, the main plot is waiting for the one leaf to fall, and it’s not that compelling. A warm, muted palette adds to the fall theme of the book. There is also an excellent use of space, with foreground, midground, and background all working together to convey the story without feeling cluttered or overwhelming the intimate atmosphere. The theme of the story is patience and friendship, although it is written in a simplistic, moralizing way. Like the serif typeface used, the story is likely to appear ­either nostalgic or outdated, depending on the audience. ­