5 stars Rhyming text and illustrations explore some of the many things a leaf can be, from tree topper to rain stopper. Includes facts about leafs and a glossary. A leaf is a leaf— A bit of a tree. But just try to guess What else it can be! This book, A Leaf Can Be . . . is a feast fo... more

5 stars Rhyming text and illustrations explore some of the many things a leaf can be, from tree topper to rain stopper. Includes facts about leafs and a glossary. A leaf is a leaf— A bit of a tree. But just try to guess What else it can be! This book, A Leaf Can Be . . . is a feast for your eyes. Astonishingly beautiful seen on a computer, I can only imagine what this book looks like in print. Told in rhyming text and illustrations that need each other to work as wonderfully as they do in A Leaf Can Be . . . The author and illustrator explore the role of leaves from the viewpoint of all four seasons. From spring and summer, when the days are warm and long A Leaf Can Be . . . an air cleaner, Earth greener. This is my favorite couplet. The illustrations should be on every Earth Day poster. These four words and two illustrations say mouthfuls about pollution and the need for green spaces. From autumn to winter and cold, short days, A Leaf Can Be . . . a wind rider, lake glider. One interesting thing I noticed about A Leaf Can Be . . . it is an example of how small the world is or how connected the world has become. The author, Laura Purdie Salas makes her home in Minnesota. The illustrator, Violeta Dabija has her home in Moldova. That’s approximately 5,180 miles apart and they made a great collaboration. From biology to zoology, teachers can find many lesson subjects. Just the leaf is a great lesson, as the author and illustrator have shown in their book. A section called More about Leaves, and a explain in their glossary, explain job a leaf performs in this book., such as the water ladle and the moth matcher. There is also a list of references in the back. The number of discussions this book could trigger is endless. Whether home schooled or brick-and-mortar, this 32-page book can enhance any student, at any level, to think way beyond what A Leaf Can Be . . . Note: received from netgalley, courtesy of Millbrook Press. A Leaf Can Be . . . Author: Laura Purdie Salas Illustrator: Violeta Dabija Publisher: Millbrook Press Release Date: March 1, 2012 ISBN: 978-0-7613-6203-6 Number of Pages: 32 Ages: 5 to 8 ohttp://kid-lit-reviews.com/2012/04/16/a-leaf-can-be-by-laura-purdie-salas-violeta-dabija/riginally reviewed for Kid Lit Reviews