Fall Is Not Easy (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "Winter is easy..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 3^-5. A tree complains that the other seasons are simple (winter, bare branches; spring, new leaves; summer, basking in the sun) but that fall presents problems: "Green leaves turn colors, / But mine all look strange." Indeed they do, as the tree tries out more designs than a fashion model: rainbow, yellow smiley face, red-and-white stripes, purple-on-yellow polka dots, black-on-white cow hide, and a fair representation of a hamburger with lettuce. The simplicity of concept is realized through accessible artwork and a rhyming text that flows along as clear and unassuming as the watercolor illustrations. Although the same tree appears centered on every page, each picture is different, either because of the subtle changes through the seasons or the blatantly obvious color changes that reflect a good understanding of a young child's sense of humor. Librarians complain that there are never enough simple picture books on autumn, trees, and leaves to fill teachers' requests. This book will help fill that need, but remember to keep a copy for preschool story hour. Carolyn Phelan

Review

Accessible artwork and a rhyming text that flows along as clear and unassuming as the watercolor illustrations. -- Booklist

In visual humor that will elicit shrieks of laughter, the tree bursts into one inappropriate image after another. -- The Bloomsbury Review

The author has used the tree to teach young readers about the seasons, and also about differences and tolerance. -- Children's Literature magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zino Press Children's Books (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559332344
• ISBN-13: 978-1559332347
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,213 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An all time favorite with 4 year olds, October 30, 2004

By	Susanne Black "teacher" (Buffalo, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I taught 4 year olds for 8 years. I can't remember when I first bought this book but it became an instant favorite. The children will ask to have it read to them many times a day and laugh hystericaly after each reading. By the end of October I was ready to put this book away but my class was not. My copy is getting worn out! This book is an all time favorite with 4 year olds.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for preschool age kids!, February 24, 2002

By	Bonnie Widerman (Southern California) - See all my reviews

A simple concept (a tree going through the four seasons), straightforward and minimilistic writing, and relatively simple illustrations add up to one marvelously funny book! When I leafed through it, the rhyming text and interesting premise (that a tree could try out different colors and patterns of leaves) made me laugh. But when I read it to my daughter's preschool class, the kids roared with laughter each time I turned the page to show them another of this little tree's crazy variations. They loved it, and I bet most other 4-year-olds will, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a hit with children!!!, February 22, 1999

By	Bruce Johnson ([e-mail]) (Webster, New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

Fall Is Not Easy is a humorous story about a tree's attempt at changing colors for fall. Some of the attempts include a smiley face design, then some odd designs, and then finally a pumpkin design, all made by the tree's colorful leaves. If you share this story with preschoolers, kindergarteners, first graders, or second graders, you will hear lots of laughter. Children of all ages seem to enjoy this story, recognize the seasonal changes, hear the rhyming patterns, and appreciate the outright humor. If you want children to have some fun, buy this book.