One Leaf, Two Leaves, Count with Me!

* “This cleverly structured narrative tracks the progression of the seasons, honoring the mathematical structure underlying the yearly cycle. The text counts the leaves appearing on a tree over the course of spring, counts back down as the leaves drop off in the autumn, and circles back around to the following spring when the count begins anew. Micklos’s ­concise rhyming verse employs an impressive economy of language, which is bolstered by ­McFarland’s bright, textured collage-style art. A first purchase with important connections to early mathematical learning and natural science.” —School Library Journal, starred review (board book edition)

“A counting book that doubles as an introduction to the seasons… . In addition to highlighting how the tree changes, McFarland’s grainy mixed-media graphics reveal a revolving assortment of animals, including a steadfast squirrel that appears in each scene. Micklos’s punchy rhymes and McFarland’s bold artwork create a breezy counting tale that encourages readers to observe subtle changes in the world around them.”—Publishers Weekly

“Micklos’ bouncy rhyming verses keep the pages turning as the seasons change and leaves unfurl or fall, numerals sharing the pages with the text to reinforce the counting… . McFarland’s crayon, watercolor, acrylic, and digital illustrations are angular and graphic… . Full- and double-page spreads, vignettes, changes in perspective, and scenes showing the tree as it gains/loses leaves combine with the clues signaling the seasons’ changing and the different animal visitors to keep readers’ interest… . A solid look at both counting and seasonal changes.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Young children will enjoy the bouncy rhyming text while learning about counting, numbers, and the seasons. Numbers are included with each illustration, both in the text and with large numerals; and the leaves are counted forward to 10 through summer and then backward as the leaves turn colors and fall from the tree. The images include details that children will enjoy… . The graphic watercolor illustrations use soft colors and simple shapes to depict different elements of nature… . This concept book effectively combines both counting and the seasons, and will be well received by young children.”—School Library Journal

John Micklos, Jr. is an award-winning education journalist and the author of more than twenty books for children and young adults. He is also on the Dollywood Imagination Library book committee. He compiled the poetry picture books Daddy Poems, Mommy Poems, Grandparent Poems, and No Boys Allowed- Poems About Brothers and Sisters. His nonfiction work includes books about the Lewis & Clark expedition, the 1918 flu pandemic, the Challenger disaster, the Alamo, and the Pony Express, and a series about the Revolutionary War. He has spoken at the national conferences of the International Literacy Association and NCTE, as well as state conferences in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

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