The Yellow Leaves are Coming, written by James Gladstone and illustrated by Francois Thisdale. Red Deer Press, 2023. $23.95 ages 3 and up

 

"But there is the night, and for a minute
the moonlight tricks me. 
I think the yellow leaves have come 
again to light up the dark winter."

While this may be bad timing for sharing a book about the yellow leaves that are long gone, or buried under the snow that remains, I think a book about the seasons can be read at any time of the year. Just for a change and a bit of a surprise, why not start reading this book at the page that describes the coming of spring? 

"Cold days pass and we slop through 
the melting. 
Look! Old leaves float in curb rivers. 
Outside everywhere, inside all of us, 
colours begin their mixing. 

Start here ... halfway through the book, and see if it works! You might be surprised, and so will your listeners be. Any exploration of the seasons as they change encourages children to pay attention to what is happening in nature at any given time. 

As the author moves from one season to the next, beginning with the yellow leaves of autumn, he reminds readers of the changes that happen consistently year after year. The children, shown in realistic illustrations filled with details, are observant of their surroundings. The changes may be big or small; all are worthy of notice. These kids feel the same as most of us are feeling right now with the promise of spring. Bring it on!