The Very Last Leaf

A young leaf conquers his fear of falling in this fun, empowering picture book for all seasons.

Young Lance Cottonwood is the best and brightest leaf on the tree. He’s a whiz at photosynthesis and the golden boy of color changing. But, as the autumn days grow shorter, his worries grow too. That’s because—unlike the other leaves his age—Lance is afraid to fall. He’ll do anything to avoid taking the leap, even if he’s the very last leaf on the tree. Can Lance face his fear, learn to let go, and embrace a whole new season of life?

In this clever picture book, award-winning author Stef Wade ( A Place for Pluto , Moving to Mars ) deftly addresses social and emotional struggles many kids encounter each day, including anxiety, perfectionism, and facing fears. Combined with illustrator Jennifer Davison's delightful characters and rich autumnal colors, The Very Last Leaf is the perfect book for the start of a new school year, the arrival of fall, or any period of transition in life. Includes nonfiction back matter and scientific facts about the real-life journey of a leaf, supporting the story and bolstering STEM interests.

Praise for The Very Last Leaf :

“A reassuring story that should leave readers feeling a bit more self-confident.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A great choice for addressing social emotional development in the areas of anxiety and perfectionism.” — School Library Journal

“This sweet book is a perfect conversation starter to help kids open up and share fears that might be troubling them.” — Storywraps