The Little Yellow Leaf, by Carin Berger

Paulette's PBPOD is . . .

The Little Yellow Leaf, by Carin Berger

Truthfully? I keep wondering why Carin Berger hasn't won the Caldecott yet. 

Her illustrations are not just lovely to look at, but she crafts them entirely by hand.

Still.

 In the Age of the Computer.

It boggles the mind, but she cuts every little tiny leaf from an imaginative choice of paper.

Every glistening square of this halo, Carin Berger has crossed her eyes over and has nicked her fingertips with an X-Acto knife for.

If you like looking for hidden whimsy in picture book illustrations, there's plenty in a Carin Berger masterpiece. Because she uses found papers,  little words and bits of history remain inscribed on her mosaics. 

But the story! The story! The story of The Little Yellow Leaf is about learning how to overcome fear and plunge into your greater potential. (Among other meanings and ideas, I'm sure.)

This is where we meet and fall in love with our character:

The leaf is having trouble letting go.

And finally, with the help of a friend, he musters the courage, and soars!

Does it surprise you that this gorgeous treasure has been read at weddings? And to thousands of children on warm laps, too.