This story is a warm, wonderfully wise, and strikingly simple story about a leaf named Freddie--how Freddie and his companion leaves change with the passing seasons, finally falling to the ground with winter's snow.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
A classic. As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns that death is part of life.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
About the Author
Leo Buscaglia, Ph.D., was a native of California and an acclaimed professor of education at the University of Southern California. Beloved by millions for his influential message of the limitless power of human love, Buscaglia was the author of fifteen books, including the million-copy bestseller Love. He died in 1998.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
85 of 85 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
Freddy, a maple leaf, is born in the spring, and grows to know his fellow leaves and his surroundings. Although leaves superficially look the same, he learns and appreciates the subtle differences between himself and each other leaf. He admires a larger leaf, Daniel. Daniel has a deeper understanding of life and death. He helps Freddie understand each of his phases of life. Finally, Daniel explains death and letting go.
The book uses the gentle, concrete metaphor of the annual changes in leaves on a tree to help anyone appreciate the different phases of life. Each leaf leaves the tree differently: some drift down quietly, and others fiercely resist the tug of the wind. This shows how each person approaches death differently. Freddy resists until he is withered and brown, the last leaf on the branch. Finally he lets go and experiences a sense of peace.
Although the leaves, die each year, they are part of the tree which lives on, although even it has a finite life. the book discusses the interconnecedness of life and death. however, it does not take a stand on the specifics of a life after death.
This would help children of a wide range of ages appreciate not only death, but also the different phases of life. Each time Freddy the leaf changes with the seasons, it is puzzling but he learns its value. He sees how the tree and the leaves have purpose. this helps one see that life has purposes that may not be immediately obvious. This book is also moving for adults who may be experiencing a life transition. I recommend that anyone, of any age take this book and read it under a tree.
The book uses the gentle, concrete metaphor of the annual changes in leaves on a tree to help anyone appreciate the different phases of life. Each leaf leaves the tree differently: some drift down quietly, and others fiercely resist the tug of the wind. This shows how each person approaches death differently. Freddy resists until he is withered and brown, the last leaf on the branch. Finally he lets go and experiences a sense of peace.
Although the leaves, die each year, they are part of the tree which lives on, although even it has a finite life. the book discusses the interconnecedness of life and death. however, it does not take a stand on the specifics of a life after death.
This would help children of a wide range of ages appreciate not only death, but also the different phases of life. Each time Freddy the leaf changes with the seasons, it is puzzling but he learns its value. He sees how the tree and the leaves have purpose. this helps one see that life has purposes that may not be immediately obvious. This book is also moving for adults who may be experiencing a life transition. I recommend that anyone, of any age take this book and read it under a tree.
79 of 80 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
I read this book to my 6 year old daughter and 5 year old son the night their father died. As I returned from the hospital, a neighbor gave me this book and it helped tremendously that evening. I read it often to my children that first year after our loss. I am now a teacher researching children's books on death for a Master's degree and I rediscovered this book. The Fall of Freddie the Leaf should be a part of every primary classroom library.
41 of 42 people found the following review helpful
By Ms Diva
Format:Hardcover
I used this book with a boy a worked with a few years ago. He was 9 at the time, and a close relative had died. Before a colleague showed me the book, I struggled to find the right words to comfort him with, to no avail. The experience was a first hand confrontation with the fact that our culture generally has a great deal of difficulty dealing with the issue of death. Of all the books I've read that attempt to help us deal with this problem, this one is the best.
This simply, poignant story about the changing of the seasons gave me a bridge to talk to the child and helped him make sense of his loss. The language is simple enough for even a young child to understand. The pictures are gorgeous. It helped him cope with and understand his loss. As well, he was inspired to read the story to his classmates (this is a boy who previously hated reading) and it created a "teachable moment" for the whole group.
This book is one that I would reccommend to anyone who is in contact with children. It would be an excellent addition to your personal library because it makes talking about a difficult, painful subject a great deal easier.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a story about life
Death is difficult sometimes to understand at any age and this exceptional book is story focuses not on death but on the life cycle. Children understand much better than adults. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Theresa Karr
5.0 out of 5 stars
great book for all ages
I've bought several copies of this book; I end up giving the book to someone who is dealing with the loss of a loved one; it's great!!
Published 5 days ago by Debbie Powers
4.0 out of 5 stars
I like it, but too old for toddlers.
I had ordered this book based on a recommendation for a book that could bring out a little conversation about life and death with a 2 1/2 year old whose Grandpa had just died. Read more
Published 19 days ago by E.K.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Book was a gift!
I have the book on tape - but bought this copy for someone who was experiencing a loss -- her feedback was very positive!
Published 21 days ago by Geneva Hochstetter
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great story to prepare children for life's turns.
This is a reat story to help children learn about life and death in an easy and beautiful way. Very sweet and nice.
Published 28 days ago by Maria Elena Byron
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for Children who have lost a special person in their life.
This was a wonderful book. I gave it to a child who had lost his grandfather and to another child who had lost his mother. It relates death to nature. Read more
Published 1 month ago by janet lyons
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
An adult book. Although the book is a cute story about a leaf and death, it is not geared toward children at all and could probley go right over their heads.
Published 1 month ago by Felicia Hatfield
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Favorite
I was exposed to this book as a student and have always had at least one copy in my home since then, one for my use and one on hand to help others through grief. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Carie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dieing described for a 5-90 yr old
Leo Busgaglia ...my spelling may be off...describes life in the season of a tree...leaves come and go and life WILL go on...and new leaves will come in the right season... Read more
Published 3 months ago by COLLEEN
4.0 out of 5 stars
I was widowed at 41...
And I read this book four months after my husband died.I was going to my best friend's daughter's funeral because she had died during childbirth. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Donna E. Culwell
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