Leif and the Fall

Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
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$18.99 US
Penguin Young Readers | Dial Books
24 per carton
On sale Sep 08, 2020 | 978-1-9848-1549-1
Age 5-8 years
Reading Level: Lexile AD540L | Fountas & Pinnell L
Sales rights: US, Canada, Open Mkt
Persistence and creativity can lead to amazing things, as Leif the leaf discovers in this lovely storybook from Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Originals.

Leif is a leaf. A worried leaf. It is autumn, and Leif is afraid to fall. "All leaves fall in the fall," say the other leaves. But Leif is determined to find a different way down, and with his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute in hopes of softening his landing. The clock is ticking, the wind is blowing. What will happen when a gust of wind pulls Leif from his branch?

In a culture that prizes achievement, kids are often afraid to fail--failing to realize that some of the very ideas that don't work are steps along the path to ones that will.
A Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Bestseller

"A clever and triumphant tale by the Grants showcasing how even discarded ideas can build a foundation for great things. Kids will love examining the mixed media and digital collage creations of Liddiard." —School Library Journal

"The narrative is written in present tense—a clever choice to underscore the immediacy of Leif’s anxiety . . . A polished, clever take on the falling-leaf narrative." —Kirkus

"Liddiard's mixed-media illustrations, in appropriately autumnal hues, depict the expressive, anthropomorphized leaf characters, along with other creatures, such as inchworms and ladybugs . . . this highlights the rewards of supportive friendship and the worthy notion that even failures may have value." —Booklist

About

Persistence and creativity can lead to amazing things, as Leif the leaf discovers in this lovely storybook from Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Originals.

Leif is a leaf. A worried leaf. It is autumn, and Leif is afraid to fall. "All leaves fall in the fall," say the other leaves. But Leif is determined to find a different way down, and with his friend Laurel, he uses the resources around him to create a net, a kite, a parachute in hopes of softening his landing. The clock is ticking, the wind is blowing. What will happen when a gust of wind pulls Leif from his branch?

In a culture that prizes achievement, kids are often afraid to fail--failing to realize that some of the very ideas that don't work are steps along the path to ones that will.

Praise

A Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Bestseller

"A clever and triumphant tale by the Grants showcasing how even discarded ideas can build a foundation for great things. Kids will love examining the mixed media and digital collage creations of Liddiard." —School Library Journal

"The narrative is written in present tense—a clever choice to underscore the immediacy of Leif’s anxiety . . . A polished, clever take on the falling-leaf narrative." —Kirkus

"Liddiard's mixed-media illustrations, in appropriately autumnal hues, depict the expressive, anthropomorphized leaf characters, along with other creatures, such as inchworms and ladybugs . . . this highlights the rewards of supportive friendship and the worthy notion that even failures may have value." —Booklist