letting go/surrender

29 months - a beautifully illustrated book and autumn story. I love the color palette, the simple uncluttered collage elements and the clean lines. ( )

A really beautiful book in terms of layout and illustration. A little leaf all alone afraid to drop from its branch finds he is not alone and together the last two leaves set off together ready 1, 2, 3.... ( )

Reading through the reviews of this book online, I'm struck by the fact that no one else has drawn the comparison I think fairly leaps to mind. Namely, that between Carin Berger's recent The Little Yellow Leaf, and Leo Buscaglia's classic picture-book explanation of death, The Fall of Freddie the Leaf. The two narratives are so very similar, in fact - a leaf clings to its tree as the autumn deepens into winter, afraid to let go, and face whatever comes next - that I was tempted to believe that this similarity in them was deliberate - perhaps a homage to one of the beloved books of my childhood?

In any case, Berger's collage illustrations here are so breathtakingly gorgeous, that I would still be recommending her book, regardless of the story, which is (unlike the Buscaglia) not so much about death, as about change in general. But back to the artwork! I love the different papers - lined notebook paper, graphing paper, handmade-looking greenish paper with white flecks - that Berger uses for her backgrounds. I love that many of the leaves and other objects were created with papers that had bits of writing on them. I simply adore the colors used, which perfectly evoke the wistful feeling of fall, and of impending winter. Every page is so gorgeous - something to be savored! - that I have difficulty picking a favorite. If I had to though, it would be the spread on which two vividly red leaves float across a golden "woven-mat" mandala. Just lovely!

In short: fans of beautifully illustrated picture-books will definitely want to peruse The Little Yellow Leaf. Whatever they think of the story, they will love the art! ( )

I don't know what it is, but I wasn't in love with this book. I mean, I get it and all and the illustrations are unique, but the book as a whole didn't do it for me. I have a feeling it was intended to be primary, but it felt a bit sketchy and overly sparing in a way. ( )