Author: Alice Hemming
Sourcebooks Jabberwocky 2021
Hardcover, 32 Page Picture Book
Squirrel is very confused. When the leaves begin falling from his tree in early fall he’s convinced there’s a thief on the loose! Will he find the thief or will his friend Bird help him understand the change of seasons?
There are several aspects of this book that will appeal to readers. First, the squirrel is convinced someone is stealing his leaves and he’s very vocal about it. He asks his friend Bird to help him find his missing leaves, and after questioning his other friends about where they got their leaves is convinced they are taking his. Bird tries to explain to him that leaves fall every year in Autumn, and that the leaves will grow back in the Spring. Squirrel tries to relax but is having a very bad time each morning when he gets up and discovers more leaves are missing. When Bird finally gets him to understand and settle down, but, it snows overnight and now something else is missing!
The very primary science aspect of this book is engaging, and the facts about Autumn in the back of the book extends learning in an entertaining way. Every environmental educator will appreciate the learning opportunities this book offers.The hardcover has just the right amount of copper colored foil on the leaves, title, and author/illustrator information which make it impossible to pass on the shelf. The bright brash colors and simplicity of the illustrations is complementary to the text and the hyper over-acting of the squirrel character likening him to actor Jim Cary. The details inside Bird’s house are clever as well. If this reviewer had a complaint it would be that one illustrated spread had the Bird character lost in the gutter.
The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming gets 4.5 STARS from this reviewer.