The Gold Leaf

From School Library Journal --------------------------- PreS-Gr 2—One green-filled spring, a single gold leaf shimmers and tantalizes the forest animals. A spry warbler snatches up the leaf for her nest, but quick as a wink, it's stolen by a chipmunk. Animal after animal plucks the precious treasure from its new owner until the leaf is nothing more than a pile of tattered pieces. The seasons pass, but no other gold leaves appear until the following spring. No one picks the leaf this time, for the animals' happiness lies not in possessing the object but in the knowledge that it has returned to them after all. Rich mixed-media illustrations layer color and texture, creating a quiet, glowing atmosphere. The titular gold leaf shines in its embossed glory. The simple, unassuming text adds to the magic of the forest. Art and text are kept separated, with all text printed on a strip of white along the bottom edge of the pages. At times, the lyrical narration contradicts itself. For instance, it tells us that none of the animals saw the gold leaf among the newness of spring. Without transition, the next sentence reads, "Each one wanted it more than anything else in the world." The message at the heart of this allegorical tale is a rather obscure one for young audiences but could be used to spark discussion. VERDICT A beautifully illustrated selection for classroom or one-on-one sharing.—Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) Review ------ Winner of the 2018 Bull-Bransom Award "An enchanting modern fable about possessiveness redeemed by unselfish appreciation of life’s shared wonder."―Maria Popova, Brain Pickings ★"Hall’s understated writing reads like poetry, and Forsythe’s graphic, even geometric, paintings have the feel of animation stills."―STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "The animals in Kirsten Hall’s picture book The Gold Leaf occupy a forest of shadows and dappled light, of 'jungle green, laurel green, moss green, mint green, pine green, avocado green, and, of course, sap green.' In Matthew Forsythe’s breathtaking illustrations, we see creatures respond with wonder and cupidity as autumn’s arrival reveals a single, gleaming gold leaf. 'Each wanted it more than anything in the world,' we read of a fox, deer, mouse and others. 'But who would get it first?' Though competition tears the leaf to fragments, this is not a fable of greed but of gratitude, with rich, mystical illustrations that will stir the young reader’s heart."―Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal "At first glance The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall might be a classic picture book from the 1940s – a rediscovered Margaret Wise Brown. Montreal artist Matthew Forsythe’s paintings, with their mid-century modern shapes, could almost be by Leonard Weisgard. The thick black sans-serif type marching reliably across the bottom of each spread even has an echo of Little Golden Books. The theme, as well, feels comforting and retro, showing forest animals through the changing of four seasons."―Quill and Quire "A book about wonder, patience and sharing, this picture book is particularly golden."―Waking Brain Cells "The Gold Leaf is an unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections."―The Midwest Book Review Read more ( javascript:void(0) ) See all Editorial Reviews ( /dp/product-description/1592702147/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&isInIframe=0 )

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