Author/Illustrator: Emmy Kastner
Clarion Books 2022
Hardcover, 40 Page Picture Book
The Very Big Fall is an entertaining book with a subtle message. Three leaves find that no matter if they wish it or not, change is on the way. Will it be the end, will it hurt, or will it be the beginning of something new?
Change can be scary but thrilling!
Life as a leaf is pretty fun for Birch, Maple, and Oak. They have a great view, nice breezes, Oak even has a pet caterpillar. But inevitable changes are on the way. Summer is turning to fall and cooler weather means things will be different in the woods. One day they all overhear a conversation about pie, and the squirrels just casually mention that when the leaves are on the ground they will be able to hear better. WHAT??? The immediate leaf population erupts in questions and protests! The ground is a long way down! Will it hurt? That’s too far down! No THANK YOU! But as they all begin to change color they begin to fall. When Oak begins to fall he tries to hang on, and his pet caterpillar is turning into a cocoon. Life on the ground is certainly different, but different isn’t always bad.
Let me say, I was hesitant about this book at first. It looked overly simple. But the minute Maple said “No fair! Those trees have apples. I want apples!” I knew this book was going to be entertaining. All three leaves meet the inevitability of change with a different attitude. Birch can’t wait, Maple is grumpy, and Oak is nervous. But life on the ground isn’t so bad, in fact they learn that they are very special. The message of change is beautifully played out in the text without being preachy or sentimental, and the illustrations support it well. Though simple they’re effective, as is evident when Maple is waiting to turn a different color. It’s not easy putting earphones on a maple leaf. It’s nice to have new books that represent the seasons!
A Very Big Fall by Emmy Kastner gets 5 stars from this reviewer.