Autumn leaves

PreS-Gr 2--In the second standalone title in the "Little Seasons" series (Spring Seeds), Hokkanen's bright and cheerful art explains the life cycle of leaves with adorable anthropomorphic leaves inserting their opinions and personalities. Leaves with large eyes and tiny hands explain how they grow in summer and change in fall, indicating their different shapes. A caterpillar crawls across the pages, taking bites out of the leaves or running when confronted by leaves like those on the Venus flytrap. Readers are invited to interact with and identify different kinds of leaves, including vegetables and items used "to add flavor to life." A clear explanation regarding leaves' roles in photosynthesis is hilariously accompanied with a line of leaves waiting to use an outhouse for "they turn it [sunlight] into food we can eat." A smiling leaf with a wheelbarrow waits behind the outhouse, collecting "sugar" cubes. Chlorophyll, its role in providing shelter and decomposition, and new growth are discussed. Extensive back matter includes a deep dive into leaves, photosynthesis, and experiments to try at home. A tear-out memory card game on cardstock, matching leaves to trees, is also included in back matter. VERDICT Despite the playful presentation and the problems inherent in a "tear-out" section in a library, this is polished nonfiction; irreverently fun and informative, it's an excellent selection.--Rachel Zuffa