Product Description

As the leaves fall from his favorite tree, Fletcher worries that something is terribly wrong. But then winter comes, and with it a wonderful surprise.

Do you know what it is? Join Fletcher and find out. . . .

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #138982 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-01
• Released on: 2008-08-26
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780061573972
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. PreSchool-Grade 3–This potent synthesis of art and prose conveys a child's first awareness of the changing seasons with reverence and wonder. Fletcher, a tiny fox, is concerned when his favorite tree turns brown. His mother tells him, Don't worry, it's only autumn, but the tree hardly seems fine to Fletcher. As its leaves fall and flutter away, the youngster struggles in vain to catch and reattach them. When only one leaf remains, he does his level best to secure it to the limb, but eventually the stem dries up and the leaf pops off. Mournful and confused, he carries it home and takes it to bed with him. Still worried about his tree, he wakes up the next morning to find that it has undergone a sweet and satisfying transformation. Beeke's resplendent watercolors work beautifully with the book's tone, content, layout, and design. Picture books about nature sometimes suffer from cloying, excessively pastoral language or imagery; this rare example succumbs to neither. A first purchase for every collection.–Catherine Threadgill, Charleston County Public Library, SC
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
PreS-Gr. 2. When the leaves on his favorite tree turn brown and begin to drop, Fletcher, a young fox, worries that the tree is sick. Although he tries his best to help the tree, the last leaf finally falls. The next day when Fletcher visits the tree, he sees a magical sight that convinces him that falling leaves don't signify the tree's demise. Rawlinson's carefully worded text is superbly matched by Beeke's impressionistic watercolors. Fletcher's character is clearly evident in his distinct facial features and body language, and the magical change of the season is accentuated as the scenery goes from soft, hazy earth tones to cool white and blue-green. For the scene in which Fletcher beholds the "magical sight" of the tree covered with ice, sparkle has been glued to the pages; the effect will make children gasp with delight. Given such a strong debut, the unforgettable Fletcher is primed for more picture books as he discovers the ways of the world. Randall Enos
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Julia Rawlinson grew up in London and graduated from Southampton University with a degree in geography.

She is the author of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke. She lives in London with her husband and two sons.

Customer Reviews

Wonderful book, beautiful illustrations
This is a beautiful book.Fletcher is a young fox that has noticed the forest is changing as the summer comes to an end.He has a favorite tree.When he sees the way the leaves are changing he thinks that the tree is sick.He does everything he can think of to help the tree keep it's leaves.Of course in the end he can't save the leaves and he goes home very sad with the last leave that was on the tree. The next day he wakes up and goes to his tree and is mesmarized by the sight of the tree.It's beautiful it's covered in icicles and shining in the morning sunlight.He asks the tree if it is okay and the tree in a sense answers him. The wind blows and the tree shakes and the icicles tingle.To Fletcher it sounds like the tree is laughing and he takes this to mean that the tree is alright. The illustrations are wonderful and the last one of the tree with the icicles is fabulous it is done with a type of glitter.Very pretty effect.I very much recommend this book

Entertaining and Educational for Children
A change of seasons is in the air. Fletcher the fox doesn't understand and now he's worried.

He sees his favorite tree changing colors and losing leaves. What else would a good friend do but try to help?

Fletcher tries to save the tree's leaves but they insist on falling to the ground. He tries to catch them and return them to their owner but that doesn't work.

Even the other creatures of the forest aren't cooperating. A squirrel is happy to have Fletcher's friend's leaves in his nest. A porcupine is thrilled to have the leaves to help keep him warm.

Fletcher feels like he's failing his friend the tree. He only manages to save one leaf and promises to take good care of it.

His curiosity over what is happening to his friend and his concern that something is going terribly wrong leads Fletcher back to the tree. What awaits him is something he never expected.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves is an excellent lesson in the change of seasons for children. The illustrations are very unique and resemble beautiful watercolor paintings.

The words are easy to follow for young readers. The best part is, it's a great story for parents to read to children of every age and Fletcher's story will surely become a child's favorite.

Beautiful book -- love the art and the message!
This is a great book to teach the little ones about the change in seasons (from Fall to Winter). It also teaches about caring for others. My son loved it and the art is really beautiful. Great book!