The Last Leaf
A beautifully illustrated picture book by David Biedrzycki, The Last Leaf, tells the story of a young girl who is fiercely determined to snatch the last leaf dangling from a tree. The setting is fall, and she is downcast by her unawarded efforts at soccer and frustrated that her cat keeps getting stuck in the tree. But that last leaf on the tree proves stubborn, courageous, and determined, qualities she tries to channel into her soccer game. Failing time and again, she wants to give up, but her mom reminds her to “hang in there,” like that tenacious last leaf. And she does.
This story doesn’t necessarily end the way you might expect—and I’m not going to spoil it for you.
But it carries a satisfying message: don’t give up, hang in there, and know that everything and everyone can rebound from setbacks. A perfect book to share with everyone who needs encouragement and a gentle reminder of those messages, along with a hint that we all have our seasons.
Book and Image Courtesy of Charlesbridge and NetGalley
