Andrew Plant, The Perfect Leaf, Ford Street Publishing, June 2018, 32pp., $24.95 (pbk), ISBN: 9781925736014
Bursting with bold and vibrant autumn colours, The Perfect Leaf is a tale of friendship, imagination and the quest for something truly special.
Two girls, Elly and Mai meet on a cold autumn morning. They embark upon a hunt for the perfect leaf, finding each leaf is different and none are perfect. Together they discover something even more wondrous under the autumn trees.
The Perfect Leaf by Andrew Plant meanders through the crisp autumn day weaving beautiful visual imagery with joyful illustrations. The captivating hues of yellows, reds and oranges remind us there is beauty everywhere, if we only pay attention. Despite the warmth of the illustrations, Plant exquisitely conveys the mild temperatures of the season as well as the pure delight in a simple discovery. As the girls embrace their imagination, so too does the reader begin to witness magic unfold. What may be considered an imperfection can also be seen as unique beauty.
Mr Two was fascinated by this book and demanded several re-readings. He delighted in spotting both the flaws the girls find and the magical creations of their imagination. With its engaging story celebrating the joy of discovery and imaginative nature play, The Perfect Leaf is a delight to read again and again.
Teacher’s Notes available on the Ford Street Publishing website.
Reviewed by Fiona Miller-Stevens
