Ladybug Nominee

If You Find a Leaf by Aimée Sicuro  (Random House Studio, 2022)

When a child collects fall leaves, a whole world is created as she imagines what a leaf could be. It can be a boat, or a hat, or a hot-air balloon to take you high above the trees. Here is a story that celebrates the fall season and encourages children to let every leaf spark a new idea.

About Aimée Sicuro

Aimée Sicuro knew at an early age she wanted to make things, and spent many years trying to figure out how. She is the illustrator of many books  and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Parent Magazine and many other publications. If You Find A Leaf is her authorial debut. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband and two young children. Her website is http://www.aimeesicuro.com

Activities & Links

• At the end of this book there are instructions for creating your own collage with leaves. For more leaf craft ideas visit https://handsonaswegrow.com/kids-leaf-crafts-2/
•  An interview with Aimée Sicuro at Max's Boat https://www.maxsboat.com/post/interview-with-aim%C3%A9e-sicuro-if-you-find-a-leaf includes lots of picture books she recommends
  
• The Maryland Department of Wildlife created a list of leaf activities for kids https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/LatH_Leaf_Activities.pd
• A video of the author explaining how to make a leaf collage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bm8UNpQqj0
  

Suggestions for Further Reading

• A read-aloud of this story from the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XJFqEQZNqo
• Check out the other 2023 Ladybug Longlist titles about nature at https://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/2023/02/ladybug-longlist-nature.html
  
• If you want more books about exploring nature consider Outside In by Deborah Underwood and Cindy Derby or Swirl by Swirl by Joyce Sidman and Beth Krommes
•  If you are looking for another book illustrated by Aimee Sicuro check out Dancing Through Fields of Color by Elizabeth Brown, or The Stuff Between the Stars by Sandra Nickel
  

This is one of ten titles nominated for the 2023 Ladybug Picture Book Award.

We will be posting information about a different nominee each Friday throughout the summer and will issue a pdf voters guide featuring all ten titles at Labor Day.