Call number
Genres
Collection
Publication
Greenwillow Books (2008), Edition: Reprint, 32 pages
Description
When his favorite tree begins to lose its leaves, Fletcher the fox worries that it is sick, but instead a magical sight is in store for him.
Media reviews
The simple warmth of Rawlinson’s story and the gorgeous reds, golds and browns of Beeke’s pastels wind up in a glittery surprise.
Amazon
"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
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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
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Amazon
"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
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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
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User reviews
LibraryThing member patsila
I rarely hand out 5s, but this book gets one, hands down. We love Fletcher over here. He's so precious and charming and well-intentioned. A good book for developing your child's empathy, but also a fun one to tie in with more informational books. My son likes to try to explain to Fletcher the
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science of what the tree is going through and why it is no cause for concern. :) Show Less
LibraryThing member cvosshans
Julia Rawlinson fits a beautiful lesson about the changing seasons within the 32 pages of this book. Poor little Fletcher the fox is young and unaware about how trees lose their leaves each fall but he comes to an understanding by the end of the book. This picture book, suitable for younger readers
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is full of engaging, colourful pictures, endearing characters and a wonderful lesson. The final page, with its shimmery tree is the best one of all. Show Less
LibraryThing member sethwatts
This is a good book to read to young children to help them understand that leaves’ falling off of a tree in the autumn is normal. It is a story about a little fox who thinks his favorite tree is ill, because the trees leaves are falling off. He tries to help the tree by trying to reconnect all
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the leaves, not knowing that they are supposed to fall off. Later the fox sees the tree in the winter, and realizes that the tree can be just as cool without leaves. Once again this is a great book to help children realize that falling leaves are normal. Show Less
LibraryThing member AMQS
Grades K-3. In this beautifully illustrated and wonderfully descriptive picture book, a young fox names Fletcher notices that the world is changing outside his den: “The rich green of the forest was turning to a dusty gold, and the soft, swishing sound of summer was fading to a crinkly
Curriculum: this is an ideal read aloud for fall; young children giggle knowingly at Fletcher’s innocence, and gasp in awe at the shining tree on the last page. This could be a springboard for a discussion or project where young children observe, write, and illustrate the changes the new season brings. Children can use a digital tool such as RealeWriter to write, illustrate, and share their observations of seasonal changes at school or home.
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whisper.” Fletcher notes the changes, but is terribly worried about his favorite tree. When the tree’s leaves begin to fall, Fletcher reassures it that he will save it, but is unable to keep the leaves on the tree. When the last leaf falls, he created a special bed for it in his room. The next day, when he checks on his tree, he sees a wondrous sight: his tree, magical and shimmering with a thousand icicles.Curriculum: this is an ideal read aloud for fall; young children giggle knowingly at Fletcher’s innocence, and gasp in awe at the shining tree on the last page. This could be a springboard for a discussion or project where young children observe, write, and illustrate the changes the new season brings. Children can use a digital tool such as RealeWriter to write, illustrate, and share their observations of seasonal changes at school or home.
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LibraryThing member amaraduende
So sweet. A little fox kit tries worries about his tree changing in the autumn.
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Originally published in Britain as Ferdie and the Falling Leaves (and subsequently published by Scholastic, for the American school-market, as The Fox and the Falling Leaves), this delightful autumn picture-book follows the story of a young fox, and his somewhat less-than-graceful adjustment to the
This gentle tale really is an absolute delight! The narrative itself captures a young child's uncertainty and fear, when confronted with change, while the beautiful pastel illustrations evoke all the magic of the season. As someone who loves the melancholy beauty of the autumn - my favorite time of the year! - I thought Rawlinson and Beeke did an excellent job evoking those qualities which make it memorable. The final page, in which Fletcher finally sees his tree in a new light, was particularly beautiful, offering a satisfying reassurance that, while change has come, it hasn't destroyed the tree's beauty.
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changing of the seasons. Deeply attached to his favorite tree, Fletcher was terribly worried, as autumn proceeded, to notice it losing leaves. Determined to do something about it, he soon discovered that it was impossible, either to prevent the tree from shedding its leaves, or to reattach them, once they had fallen. Would Fletcher's tree ever be the same?This gentle tale really is an absolute delight! The narrative itself captures a young child's uncertainty and fear, when confronted with change, while the beautiful pastel illustrations evoke all the magic of the season. As someone who loves the melancholy beauty of the autumn - my favorite time of the year! - I thought Rawlinson and Beeke did an excellent job evoking those qualities which make it memorable. The final page, in which Fletcher finally sees his tree in a new light, was particularly beautiful, offering a satisfying reassurance that, while change has come, it hasn't destroyed the tree's beauty.
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LibraryThing member Jessie32
Fletcher is a young fox that doesn't know what is happening with all the leaves changing from green to gold outside his den. This is a great story for pre-k-2 grade to see the changes of seasons and see Fall coming in the story. Very peaceful beautiful pictures
LibraryThing member Cheryl_in_CC_NV
So sweet. I want to learn the technique of the illustrator, especially in the end-papers. I want Fletcher to be my child, too, or maybe I want every child to have the heart of Fletcher as he frets that his favorite tree must be ill as it's leaves are dying and being lost.
LibraryThing member rarewren
A young fox fusses over his favorite tree as it goes through seasonal change, trying in vain to save its leaves from the wind and the forest animals. The leisurely story (three or more sentences per spread) is accompanied by lovely impressionistic scenes of smudgy crayon and watercolor, plus a
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bedazzling special effect at the climax. The length of the text and look of the illustrations lend it well to one-on-one or small group read-alouds. Show Less
LibraryThing member Robinsonstef
Have you ever been worried that someone you love wasn't feeling well? If so, you will be able to relate to Fletcher the fox's concern when his favorite tree starts turning brown. His mother assures him that it's only fall, and Fletcher tries to comfort the tree letting it know it will feel better
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated Tiphanie Beeke is sure to be a book children will want to revisit every fall. It's the perfect read when the leaves are putting on a show. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and they help make this sweet story even more magical. Fans of autumn will be delighted with the colors that float off the pages. You will adore Fletcher and his caring nature. I especially love the end scene of the book. It really sparkles! This books makes you realize that change isn't always a bad thing and sometimes even more wonderful things are in store. I like how kind Fletcher is and he truly has a heart of gold. I would recommend this book to kids, book lovers, and fans of fall of all ages.
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soon. When more leaves start to swirl off the branches Fletcher sets to trying to gather them all up so he can give them back to his friend. Unfortunately, other animals are thrilled with the fallen leaves and start taking them to use as they want. Poor Fletcher is so upset and he tries very hard to make his tree get better. Is there any way that Fletcher can see that his tree will be okay? What do we do when the fate of someone we love is in our hands? Fletcher and the Falling Leaves written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated Tiphanie Beeke is sure to be a book children will want to revisit every fall. It's the perfect read when the leaves are putting on a show. The illustrations in this book are beautiful and they help make this sweet story even more magical. Fans of autumn will be delighted with the colors that float off the pages. You will adore Fletcher and his caring nature. I especially love the end scene of the book. It really sparkles! This books makes you realize that change isn't always a bad thing and sometimes even more wonderful things are in store. I like how kind Fletcher is and he truly has a heart of gold. I would recommend this book to kids, book lovers, and fans of fall of all ages.
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Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2006
Physical description
10.04 x 0.13 inches
ISBN
0061573973 / 9780061573972