Leaf Man (c. 2005) by Lois Elert remains one of those stories that's just pure-and-tee fun! If you don't believe me, just try to check this book out . . . there's a waiting list at the library . . . and then once you get it, you'll first notice the love-worn cover of this newer book, just published in 2005. The story begins on the cover jacket flap: Where does a Leaf Man go when the wind blows? Do you know? Follow the fantastical journey of the Leaf Man and his Leaf Friends.
While your children examine the creative and intricate construction of Elert's illustrations, they cannot help but recognize the names of the leaves. Elert constructed the quirky illustrations in Leaf Man through years of collecting and copying actual fall leaves. A wonderful book to own, Leaf Man inspires the youngest to the oldest of us. After reading it, my children and their friends have embarked on a journey of gathering leaves to create their own leaf men, leaf animals, and leaf fairies. What better way to teach children the beginnings of botany than through this fabulous fall read that Lois Ehlert provides.
If your family had a blast reading Leaf Man, then here's some more Lois Ehlert books to check out:
Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf (c. 1991) explores the life cycle of a maple tree.
Nuts to You! (c. 1993) follows a day in the life of a squirrel.
