Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves' Hidden Colors

In engaging, accessible language, Posada presents the science behind the changing colors of deciduous trees. Beginning with green--"emerald to jade and every shade in between"--she explains how chlorophyll pigmentation uses sunlight to produce energy and obscures other pigments within the leaves. At the end of the summer growing season, "the chlorophyll slowly disappears, and the leaves' green color fades away. Now the hidden yellows and oranges are finally revealed!" Posada (Who Was Here? Discovering Wild Animal Tracks) follows the leaves from summer to spring, explaining why they fall and how they enrich the soil. Bright collage illustrations capture the papery texture of colorful leaves and the layered textures of vibrant autumnal forests. Supplemental materials include a glossary, links to experiments, and concise explanations of leaf types, pigments, and the role of weather and location on leaf coloration. Ages 5-10. (Aug.)

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