Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Lucky Leaf
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 6
Walker Books for Young Readers, 2004 ISBN: 978-0802789242
Here is a boy who does not want to be outside. After all there are no video games outside and, as he tells his loud parent, "I'll probably get stung by bees." Nevertheless out he goes accompanied by his eager dog.
Out in the free air and under a blue sky the boy meets two of his equally unhappy friends who have also been "kicked outside." The boys discover, on one of the trees, that one single leaf still clings to its branch. One of the boys mentions that he "heard the last leaf is lucky." What follows is a time of waiting, a time of being silly and playing in the leaves, and a time of triumph. Maybe being out doors isn't as bad as the boy thought.
With luminous cartoon type illustrations complete with word balloons, this brightly coloured book is surprising in the power that its simplicity has. The book leaves one with a definite yearning to go outside and watch a leaf fall, to be a part of the great changes that are taking place out of doors.
