The Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

The Leaf Man, written and illustrated by Lois Ehlert (published in 2005). Picture Book.  310L  RL2.3  When leaves are falling, it is possible to use your imagination to see many different creatures from the forest hidden in the leaves before the wind blows it all away.

Booklist starred (June 1, 2005 (Vol. 101, No. 19))

PreS-Gr. 2. Ehlert's imaginative way with picture books in general and those of the natural world in particular continues with this eye-popping book that follows one bold maple leaf with acorn eyes as the wind blows it here and there. In a brief author's note, Ehlert describes how she picks up leaves wherever she goes. She uses them--gathered from oaks, hawthorns, elms, beeches, and more--to great affect here, cleverly shaping them into the many animals and objects the leaf flies over: chickens, fruits and vegetables and lakes, fish, and rivers. Hints of whimsy are cleverly incorporated in the figures (the tips of a maple leaf form a cow's udder), and scalloped edgings on the tops of the pages, cut at varying heights, artfully give the effect of setting the action against a three-dimensional landscape. There is no real story here, but the book can easily translate into a guessing game, as young eyes pick out the slightly camouflaged shapes. The bright colors and distinctive shapes will make it a pleasure for children to do just that.

When I read this book to first or second graders, they are very engaged with trying to seek out all the different hidden animals within the illustrations in this book.  It is a great opportunity for children to also make text connections while you read.  I always hear great stories about preserving leaves from children or searching for the most colorful leaves while playing outside.  One of the things I love to do is to supply the students with a fall colored piece of construction paper, an assortment of artificial leaves, and a glue stick. Then I have the students create their own version of either the Leaf Man or any other woodland creature they choose.  

Posted by Margo Irving

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt (published in 2016). 276 pages. 550L. R.L 3.7. Grades 4-7. This book is perfect for readers to empathize with kids who feel different and left out at school whether it is from a disability, a bully, or just not fitting in.


                                                                   

Booklist starred (December 15, 2014 (Vol. 111, No. 8))

Grades 4-7. Ally doesn’t fit in. She draws beautifully and can create movies in her mind, but she is often bullied and hides the fact that she cannot read. Now in her seventh school, she plans to pull the wool over the eyes of her sixth-grade teacher, as she has done with many other teachers in the past. But Mr. Daniels is different. He believes in Ally, insisting she is smart, and it’s almost enough to make her want to try his different way of learning. Could she actually, possibly learn to read? Filled with a delightful range of quirky characters and told with tons of heart, the story also explores themes of family, friendship, and courage in its many forms. And while a girl with dyslexia may be the center of the book, it has something to offer for a wide-ranging audience, making this an excellent class read-aloud. A hopeful and meaningful choice for those who struggle academically, this is as unique as its heroine.

Every class has its kids who feel left out for one reason or another. Worse yet, every class has those kids who leave others out or just enjoy teasing kids to make themselves feel better. This beautifully written book gripped my fourth graders from the very first time Ally was ostracized by a group of girls in her class. My fourth graders railed against the mean kids' behavior. They cheered for Ally as she found friends who accepted her. It was an authentic opportunity for us to discuss how bullying affects others and how to overcome it when it happens. I will read this every year because of its powerful message on being bullied and rising above it. An extra bonus, teachers, is that it reminds US that not all teachers take the time and patience to find the "good" in kids. 

Posted by Liz Stafford  

The Hickory Chair by Lisa Rowe Fraustino

The Hickory Chair by Lisa Rowe Fraustino and illustrated by Benny Andrews (published in 2001). Picture Book.  700L. R.L. 3.9. A boy discovers his special gifts in this story that tickles all your senses, especially your heart.

Booklist (March 1, 2001 (Vol. 97, No. 13))

Ages 4-8. Louis was born blind but Gran tells him, "You're my favorite youngest grandchild"and comforts and reassures him, "You got blind sight."Sure enough, when the grandchildren play hide-and-seek, Louis can "almost always sniff everyone out."And when Gran dies, it is Louis who finds the notes that she has hidden that tell each family member what she has left for him or her. Everyone except Louis gets a note. It's a heartbreaking moment, but children will find a reassuring surprise waiting for them at the end of the story, which is eloquent in its simplicity and elegant in its use of images to convey the sounds, smells, and tactile sensations of Louis'sightless world. Paper crackles "like hickory limbs in the wind,"and Gran smells of lilacs "with a whiff of bleach."Perfectly complementing the rich texture of these words are artist Andrews'beautifully colored, warmly tactile oil and fabric collages.

This is a story filled with love.  You feel it as you read it aloud to your students and your students feel it too. It can lead to wonderful discussions on how people show their love.  It's the perfect story for generating ideas, and it can easily become a mentor text for students writing personal narratives.  The hickory chair in the story becomes a symbol of love which is the perfect opportunity to get students to identify symbols in their own lives.

Posted by Kellie Hale