Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Lois Ehlert, a Caldecott Honor winner, presents tree science to very young readers through a nonfiction picture book. Her watercolor collages are built from everyday materials such as seeds, fabric, wire, and roots, giving the pages a hands-on, handmade look.

The book follows a maple tree from its beginnings as a seed. Readers learn how roots take in water and nutrients, what photosynthesis does, and how sap moves through a tree. A closing section explains how to make a treat for birds and covers more facts about trees.

Written for small children, the book also encourages adults to explore the trees and wildlife in their own yards. It works well for Earth Day and spring lessons, and it helps young readers practice naming colors.