Autumn Leaves

On the first day that it actually felt cool and crisp, we went outside to pick up some of our falling leaves and brought them in to compare them to the pages in these two books.  Then a few days later, our neighbor came over with her granddaughter, suggesting that we collect leaves and make crayon rubbings to pass the time.  Well, the kids sat outside coloring and rubbing their collected leaves for 45 minutes.  This could be a record!  What I like about the following two books is that they're informative and educational without being wordy or overwhelming, making leaf identification an elementary adventure.

• Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins ~ I have just two words to say: excellent photography.  You feel like you can pick up the leaf right off the page, making it easy to identify the leaves in your yard or neighborhood.  The publishers best described the book in the jacket cover: This sumptuous picture book is a primer on tree and leaf identification.  Close-up pictures reveal leaf details, a simple text provides easy clues for identifying trees, and notes in the back explain just how and why leaves change color in the fall.  Award-winning author/photographer Ken Robbins invites very young children to learn about thirteen different trees from all across the country in this glorious portrait of nature's most colorful season.  On our nature walk, we could identify 11 of the 13 leaves/trees.  Also, you may notice that I mentioned this same author in the apple book list for his title Apples.  I find this book the best of the two.

• Leaf Jumpers by Carole Gerber ~ Gerber identifies eight different leaves through a rhyming story.  Leslie Evans' linoleum-cut illustrations helped us to quickly identify seven of the eight leaves on our neighborhood walk. 

Here's one of our leaf rubbings.

Apples Again

Have you been checking out apple books yet?  Please weigh in, commenting on your favorites!

We've found a few more that I'd like to share with you:

Apple Cider Making Days by Ann Purmell beautifully illustrates the symbiotic relationship between the apple orchard farmer and his/her orchard.  Purmell thoroughly details the process of taking an apple to make cider.  I also love that this book subtly and overtly promotes families and extended families coming together to help one another and enjoy the beauty of the season!

The Life Cycle of an Apple by Ruth Thompson gives a simple explanation of the life cycle of an apple from seed to tree to table.  I'd recommend reading it to a child as young as 2 years due to the short and simple explanations and the accompanying pictures. 

Apples by Ken Robbins also explains the growth process of an apple.  However, Robbins gives a little more wordy text more suitable for an older 4 year old or 5 year old and up.  Robbins' thorough information satisfies the inquisitive child.  Note: this is a Scholastic book, too. 

Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall tells the apple growth process in story fashion, perfect for slipping science to young children who prefer stories.  I'd recommend 2-3 years of age and up.  Note: another Scholastic book.

We've also read a few beginning to read books of Johnny Appleseed.