The Gold Leaf

In a graceful parable with environmentalist echoes, Hall (The Jacket and Forsythe (Please, Open This Book! take readers to a forest where spring has returned in a whirl of animal activity and a riot of color: aJungle green, laurel green, moss green, mint green, pine green, avocado green, and, of course, sap green.a Those hues are forgotten when the animals discover a golden leaf in a tree; shiny gold detailing on the page underlines the idea that this leaf is truly speciala something King Midas could have created, not simply a vivid holdover from autumn. The animals scramble to possess the leaf, and as it makes its way from bird to chipmunk to mouse and so on (a deer anibbled its edges. Even its taste was perfecta), the battered leaf disintegrates and gets scattered to the wind. Hallas understated writing reads like poetry, and Forsytheas graphic, even geometric, paintings have the feel of animation stills. The animalsa relief is almost palpable when the leaf returns the next springa a gentle but firm reminder to respect the scarcity that makes a precious resource precious. Ages 4a 8. Illustratoras agent: Judith Hansen, Hansen Literary. (May) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--One green-filled spring, a single gold leaf shimmers and tantalizes the forest animals. A spry warbler snatches up the leaf for her nest, but quick as a wink, it's stolen by a chipmunk. Animal after animal plucks the precious treasure from its new owner until the leaf is nothing more than a pile of tattered pieces. The seasons pass, but no other gold leaves appear until the following spring. No one picks the leaf this time, for the animals' happiness lies not in possessing the object but in the knowledge that it has returned to them after all. Rich mixed-media illustrations layer color and texture, creating a quiet, glowing atmosphere. The titular gold leaf shines in its embossed glory. The simple, unassuming text adds to the magic of the forest. Art and text are kept separated, with all text printed on a strip of white along the bottom edge of the pages. At times, the lyrical narration contradicts itself. For instance, it tells us that none of the animals saw the gold leaf among the newness of spring. Without transition, the next sentence reads, "Each one wanted it more than anything else in the world." The message at the heart of this allegorical tale is a rather obscure one for young audiences but could be used to spark discussion. VERDICT A beautifully illustrated selection for classroom or one-on-one sharing.--Amy Seto Forrester, Denver Public Library

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Winner of the 2018 Bull-Bransom Award

Selected for The Globe 100: The Globe and Mail's Best 100 Books of the Year 2017

"An enchanting modern fable about possessiveness redeemed by unselfish appreciation of life's shared wonder."—Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

★ "Hall's understated writing reads like poetry, and Forsythe's graphic, even geometric, paintings have the feel of animation stills."—STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly

"The animals in Kirsten Hall's picture book The Gold Leaf occupy a forest of shadows and dappled light, of 'jungle green, laurel green, moss green, mint green, pine green, avocado green, and, of course, sap green.' In Matthew Forsythe's breathtaking illustrations, we see creatures respond with wonder and cupidity as autumn's arrival reveals a single, gleaming gold leaf. 'Each wanted it more than anything in the world, ' we read of a fox, deer, mouse and others. 'But who would get it first?' Though competition tears the leaf to fragments, this is not a fable of greed but of gratitude, with rich, mystical illustrations that will stir the young reader's heart."—Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal

"At first glance The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall might be a classic picture book from the 1940s - a rediscovered Margaret Wise Brown. Montreal artist Matthew Forsythe's paintings, with their mid-century modern shapes, could almost be by Leonard Weisgard. The thick black sans-serif type marching reliably across the bottom of each spread even has an echo of Little Golden Books. The theme, as well, feels comforting and retro, showing forest animals through the changing of four seasons."—Quill and Quire

"A book about wonder, patience and sharing, this picture book is particularly golden."—Waking Brain Cells

"With beautiful, rich language, Kirsten Hall tells a story set in the changing of seasons. [...] Matt Forsythe's use of color is intuitive, poetic and evokes an emotional response from the reader. His color stories are breathtaking and his page spreads are immersive and impossibly beautiful." —Michelle Sterling, Avery and Augustine

"A truly breathtaking book." —Miranda Rosbach, My Bookbloom

"You'll look at this cover and immediately want to open it to see what treasures can be found inside. You'll be captivated by the radiant illustrations that excite and calm at the same time. You'll be charmed by Hall's language, how she describes the animals, the forest and the colours that make it a place of wonder. And you'll be impressed by the underlining message shared." —Summer Te Ariki, Reading Is Our Thing

"Accompanied by [Kirsten Hall's] poetic and vividly detailed prose, the richly layered and almost magically iridescent woodland scenes and creates by [Matt Forsythe] are a feast for the eyes..." —Eileen, Picture This Book

"This book is a like a Little Golden Book lovers dream, full of nostalgia. With illustrations that are rich yet soft and a story with a moral that even the smallest reader can understand." —Kellie, Secret Society of Books

"A beyond stunning addition to the children's literature world..." —The Reading Ninja

"The Gold Leaf is an unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections."—The Midwest Book Review

"The Gold Leaf is a visually stunning picture book with a beautiful message of kindness, cooperation and community spirit. [...] Kirsten Hall and Matthew Forsythe, in The Gold Leaf, have created a magical world in which appreciation is valued higher than consumption. This is a timeless story and a wonderful lesson to share with your kids." —Margaret Leonard of Dotters Books (Eau Claire, WI) for Northerly Magazine