Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. ISBN: 0-15-266197-2. Lois Ehlert. 1991. Boston-Horn Globe Award, Elizabeth Burr Award, NSTA CBC outstanding Science Trade Book for Children, Parenting Reading Magic Award, PIA Award, Reading Rainbow Review book, Wisconsin Notable Author. Contemporary Realistic Fiction. Age 2+. Young child (no specified age/gender/race).

In this book, a child is explaining the process of planting a sugar maple tree. Throughout the book/story, labeled pictures help teach the reader about different types of trees and birds, as well as parts of the tree. After the story there are two pages devoted to explaining the parts of the tree and their functions (including how roots absorb nutrients, how sap circulates, and it introduces photosynthesis and many other tree facts). The last two pages explain how to plant a tree, and the cover has ideas on how to make a bird feeder.

This book is an excellent book to use in the elementary science classroom It could be used during a unit on plants, learning parts of plants and how plants grow. It could be read around Earth day and children could discuss/write about the importance of trees (shelter, oxygen, food, products). It could be read around Arbor Day and the children could discuss types of trees and where they are geographically located. Then they could go on a field trip and collect leaves to sort and label. If possible they could also plant saplings, for hands on science. The excitement that the child in the story portrays about science and nature is very infectious.

I will be using this book in my preschool/daycare in February when we talk about birds/ornithology and take part in the Great Backyard Bird count (Feb. 12-15, 2010) because this book refers to birds in our neighborhood and also has a craft project we can make to feed the birds.