Lawrence in the Fall

Starred review from March 11, 2019
“When Lawrence saw the chalkboard, he froze,” writes debut picture book author Farina, a terrific opening line that ushers readers into a subtly powerful story of agency and independence. The board’s message hardly seems ominous at first: “Bring in something you collect to show the class!” Unlike his classmates, however—the pig amasses playing cards; the duck, silk ribbons—Lawrence doesn’t collect anything. Papa’s solution is a foray into the forest (“There is no better place to find what you need than the woods,” he says). But the trek quickly goes south: the rugged landscape overwhelms the little fox, the weather turns, and suddenly, he’s all alone in the rain, no Papa in sight. Then Lawrence notices that his shouting voice shakes loose brilliant autumn leaves, and when a relieved Papa finds him in a clearing, Lawrence is well on his way to becoming a connoisseur of fall foliage. Salati (In a Small Kingdom) builds the visual arc and emotional landscape of the story with soft pencil lines, muted browns and blues, and sensitive characterizations, lingering just enough on anxious moments that Lawrence’s newfound confidence feels like a big reward. And the final image is a wonderful parting gift: Lawrence leads his peers on a leaf-finding expedition of their own. Ages 3–5.

April 1, 2019

PreS-Gr 1-When Lawrence the fox cub finds out that he needs to bring in a collection for show-and-tell in school, he is devastated, as he doesn't have anything to share. With the help of his papa, Lawrence visits the forest in search of something special. After a failed attempt to gather stones and getting separated from his dad in the rain, Lawrence comes across a tree shedding its leaves. Inspired by its magnificently colored foliage, the little fox finds his collection and, with some help from his papa, gathers an assortment of leaves for his class presentation. Once he shares his discovery in school, the entire class wants to gather leaves as well. Salati's cartoonish digitally colored pencil illustrations portray anthropomorphized animals (though only grown-up animals are depicted clothed). His spreads wonderfully capture the bond between Lawrence and his dad, the majesty of the autumnal forest, and the charming array of fallen leaves. VERDICT This delightful seasonal story will inspire its young audience to do some leaf collecting of their own.-Yelena Voysey, formerly at Pickering Educational Library, Boston University

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 15, 2019
What's a fox kit to do when show and tell is all about collections and he doesn't have one?Poor Lawrence freezes when his teacher makes the announcement. His animal classmates are giddy with excitement and quickly chime in with what they will bring: playing cards, coins, ribbons, combs (the sheep's collection!), and marbles. The fox's body language, sad face, and silence say it all when they ask him what he will bring. At home, Papa consoles Lawrence and tells him he knows a place to find a collection. The next day, the two set off into the forest. But their first few attempts fail, then it begins to rain, and then Lawrence and his papa become separated. But while the small fox is without his papa, he is not alone. His whispered and hallooed comments get replies from the trees, which shower him with leaves. Lawrence is fascinated by their many colors and shapes--it's the perfect collection for show and tell...and to share among his equally fascinated classmates. Salati's illustrations, drawn with pencil and colored digitally, have a soft, textured look. The animals are thin and angular, walking on two legs (though only adults sport clothing), and the colors are muted, but the characters express clear emotion. Rear endpapers show labeled outlines of the leaves of 14 trees.Readers will want to head out to discover a collection of their own. (Picture book. 4-7)

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