Summer Green to Autumn Gold

This nonfiction picture book written and illustrated by Mia Posada beautifully explains why leaves change color in fall. It highlights both the eye-catching colors of the season and the science behind the colors.

“"In summer, the leaves of trees have secrets inside. Chloroplasts within the cells of green leaves contain chlorophyll, which collects energy from sunlight and enables the tree to make food. When summer ends, the chlorophyll gradually disappears, revealing the other pigments hidden in the cells. The leaves turn shades of yellow, red, purple, and brown. They fall to the ground, slowly decompose, and become part of the soil. Trees rest in winter, but in spring, new leaves sprout, beginning the cycle once again. The text is written in relatively short sentences, but Posada doesn't shy away from using the occasional scientific term and explaining its meaning. While many primary-grade books observe that trees change color in the fall, few mention what's happening within the cells of leaves. Here, Posada's simple explanations and two large-scale views of pigments within leaf cells give kids an inkling of how the leaves change color. An appended section comments on the book's subject and related topics. Created with cut-paper collage and watercolor, the striking illustrations capture the leaves' varied forms and colors as well as the sheer beauty of trees in the summer and the autumn. A visually appealing and unusually informative picture book for curious kids."--starred, Booklist”

"[G]lorious art . . ."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

-- (4/24/2019 12:00:00 AM)

"A visually appealing and unusually informative picture book for curious kids."--starred, Booklist

-- (5/16/2019 12:00:00 AM)

Mia Posada grew up in Minneapolis, then studied art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also studied art in Florence, Italy, and illustration at Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. Mia has written and illustrated numerous books including: The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit's Amazing Migration, Who Was Here?: Discovering Wild Animal Tracks, and Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves' Hidden Colors. She illustrated Plants Can't Sit Still which was named a Kirkus Best Children's Books and won the NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts Award. She lives in Golden Valley, Minnesota with her husband and their three kids. Mia Posada grew up in Minneapolis, then studied art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also studied art in Florence, Italy, and illustration at Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. Mia has written and illustrated numerous books including: The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit's Amazing Migration, Who Was Here?: Discovering Wild Animal Tracks, and Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves' Hidden Colors. She illustrated Plants Can't Sit Still which was named a Kirkus Best Children's Books and won the NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts Award. She lives in Golden Valley, Minnesota with her husband and their three kids.

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