The Very Last Leaf is a great book to have with everything that is going on right now. Many kiddos are experiencing fear and anxiety due to the Corona Virus and all of the riots. Children can relate to Lance Cottenwood who is afraid to fall off the tree like the other leaves. The pictures are very colorful. The book also gives a short explanation as to why some trees have leaves that change colors and fall and why other trees do not. This story would be a great one to share with kids who are experiencing fear and anxiety or to pair up with a nonfiction book about fall.

<i>arc provided by the publisher and netgalley in exchange for an honest review</i>

This was absolutely adorable. The art was stunning with vivid colours and images that kids could easily see and be intrigued by. The story was cute but had a strong message.

Overall, this was great and I think kids are going to love this story.

5/5 🍂

This was quite a cute children’s book, telling the story of a mighty Cottonwood leaf named Lance and his journey through ‘school’ (aka the seasons) where he’s top of his class until the final exam which is to fall from his perch. He is scared of falling, but after discussing all of the reasons why he was scared, his teacher (the tree itself) shows him how all the other leaves have fallen before him and therefore he has nothing to fear. I liked the message of talking out your fears and ultimately facing them with less pressure; I liked the science woven throughout (we get to learn about how leaves function as part of a cottonwood tree and also the neighboring evergreen); and I liked the illustrations.

This book is adorable! First, the names of the leaves are so brilliant and hilarious! I loved the large, bright illustrations! The leaves were all so expressive.

I also appreciated the tree facts interspersed with the emotional components of the story. The report card at the end of the book was a fun bonus! This book could be used for both science and social-emotional discussions and should be in every classroom or school library!

While the message of this book is important it wasn't for me. The illustrations were done in a style that doesn't resonate with me. I enjoyed the nonfiction aspect of this story as my one take away. A counselor could use this when speaking to children.

<i>The Very Last Leaf</i> is about Lance Cottonwood. He is at the top of his class with A's in wind resistance and photosynthesis. However, Lance is afraid to fall. But after talking to his nice teacher Mrs. Timber, he knows that it is okay to be scared and let's go... And graduates on top of his class!

This picture book took me by surprise. I had no idea that it can enable parents to talk to their children about being scared and anxious. But that is precisely why I think this would make such a good book to read to your children.

Thank you to NetGalley & Capstone Editions for providing with me a free eARC in return for an honest review.
I loved the illustrations in The Very Last Leaf. The colors and pictures are wonderful. I read the book with my toddler, she sat and listened but did get a little antsy toward the middle of the book. I think this book would be great for Science teachers in upper elementary grades. It could be used to teach about change in seasons, leaves/trees, or even being brave. I could see myself purchasing the book and bringing it out during the Fall months to teach my daughter about the leaves falling.

Thank you to NetGalley & Capstone Editions for providing with me a free eARC in return for an honest review.

I first want to start by saying that The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade is an incredibly adorable Children’s read. Beginning with the cover art illustrations by Jennifer Davison. The colours which are reminiscent of the soft and inviting sunlight you find on a crisp Fall afternoon. Wade carries the charm and warmth of the cover throughout the pages. The use of different fonts, from their changing sizes to changing colours and gradients made for a very enjoyable read about Lance Cottonwood.

Lance is a little leaf who excels at all his subjects in school until the dreaded final exam. We follow along with Lance on the various stages of a leaf, learning life can be challenging and that it is ok to be scared. Lance’s adventures encapsulate that there will always be times when we are scared, however, with courage and support from those around us we can achieve anything.

Cute story about a leaf who doesn't want to fall. Great to use at the beginning of the year to enforce the concept of being brave. Also a good story for science teachers to use as the book does use some technical words, that are explained at the end.

A great picture book to help kids face their fears. Lance is a leaf, he is a very good leaf, until it comes to the autumn final exam: falling off the tree! Will Lance face his fears and fall? This book touches on perfectionism and anxiety, and many kids will see themselves in Lance, I would pair it with Jabari Jumps.

This was a cute children's book about leaves falling and overcoming fears.

Lance Cottonwood is a leaf on a Cottonwood tree and he is about to get to his final exam of leaf class - the Fall. Lance is hesitant to make the leap like his fellow classmates because so many things could go wrong. After he talks it through with his teacher he is ready to take the chance and fall.

This is a beautifully illustrated book about Autumn and the leaves falling, but it is also about having fears and worries and how to overcome them with the help of friends and teachers. Lance is able to overcome his fear of falling and it makes for a great lesson when reading the book to younger readers/listeners.

I really enjoyed the Autumn colors and the concept was very cute, it was pretty simple and a quick read which parents will appreciate at bed time. I also liked the lesson. The book also includes a report card for Lance how he did in all his leaf classes before falling, it is a cute addition.

Adorable book about a leaf named Lance who is afraid to fall from the deciduous tree he lives on.

This would be A wonderful Read aloud paired with a fall themed unit, but also anytime to discuss how sometimes we can be afraid of change, but we can handle it (especially with encouragement from others.)

The Very Last Leaf is a cute, sweet, funny, informative picture book that will probably have appeal to older pre-k - 2nd graders. I can see using this as an introduction to photosynthesis and a little science of trees for the younger child. This book has puns and humor that adults and kids will both enjoy.

Lance Cottonwood is a straight-A student in his tree school. Budding, wind resistence, color changing - all A's. But when it comes to falling, Lance is not doing so well. He's afraid to fall and decides he will just stay on his tree all winter, the same as Doug Fir, his evergreen friend. His friends and teacher rally around him to give him the confidence he needs to finish on top.

The illustrations are perfect. They are clear and large enough to show a group. The emotions Lance and his friends show are wonderful!

My thanks to Capstone Editions and NetGalley for an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Very Last Leaf is an adorable book. We watch Lance Cottonwood pass his classes with flying colours: from wind resistance, photosynthesis to pigment changing. He's easily the best in his class. However, during his final exams we find out there is one thing he worries about.

This is such a great book not just for little kids, but also for adults. It teaches us a few things:

- We can only be ourselves. We not need to compare us to others as we all have our own unique traits that make us who we are.

- We are all capable of different things.

- We all are afraid or worried of something.

- Hardwork pays off.

I think I read this book in just the right time. We're all in quarantine: we're advised to social distance; to not make any store trips unless absolutely necessary. And I think the one that this story touches the most: our kids are currently home from school. Lance's teacher knew he could do it. His teacher understood the reason for his hesitation to complete his final exam and assures him that he's worked hard for what he's about to accomplish without forcing him to jump.

So this is for the students and the teachers out there. You guys rock!

A great story about a leaf who conquers his fears to graduate from leaf school. Back matter explains more about what leaves do for the tree. I have more respect for leaves after reading this book!

This book would be great to use in schools or at home in connection with a leaf craft. Cute illustrations.

The Very Last Leaf by Stef Wade is a fun, educational book about overcoming a fear that your little ones will love.

Lance Cottonwood is a student on a cottonwood tree. He is the best leaf in his class. In Budding, Wind Resistance, Photosynthesis 101, and Pigment Changing, he passed with no problems. However, he is down to a final exam in his last class during the autumn semester, and he started to get worried. Poor Lance was afraid to fall, which was his final exam. All the other leaves were so excited and started to make the descent, but Lance kept making excuses for why he shouldn't fall yet. Eventually, Lance decided he was going to stay on his tree all winter like his friend Doug Evergreen. Lance's teacher helped him through his worries, and he finally fell to the ground and graduated with the rest of the students.

The Very Last Leaf was an amazing story. I loved how Lance was a top student, but still had a fear that he had to overcome. The author did a great job of capturing the message that it is okay to be afraid, but it is rewarding to conquer your fears. The illustrations were great. It was engaging, and I loved the different expressions on Lance and the other leaves. The Progress Report at the end of the book was really cute, and it is a great way for kids to learn more about leaves. The only part I didn't like about the story was the other leaves started to make fun of Lance because he was scared. I don't think we should be encouraging this type of behavior; however, I am positive that it happens in real life. I was glad that the leaves were encouraging Lance when he was falling and were glad that he made it to the ground instead of making fun of him still. I would recommend this book for ages 4 to 8. I will be getting this for Emmett when he is older, and I have already added A Place for Pluto by Stef Wade to his wishlist.

Cute book about being afraid of change told from the point of view of a leaf. Absolutely darling illustrations!

This is a sweet story about a leaf afraid to fall, which is certainly an important part of being a leaf! It is sweet, funny, and informative. The illustrations are beautifully done, so bright and engaging. I loved how some text really popped on the page to match the illustrations. This is a great read for children during Autumn in particular, but the overall theme is one that can be appreciate all the time. I loved the addition of the progress report at the end, giving extra scientific details for older learners. I can see this being used for children from preschool to elementary school aged.

This book was really cute! I love the illustrations; they were so bright and adorable and the leaves had great expressions. I love how it talks about photosynthesis, wind resistance, etc. as I could see a child reading this and wanting to learn more about it all. The best part is his 'report card' at the end where not only does it describe what all these stages mean, but it's also just so darn cute! It teaches a lesson on fear and anxiety, which I think is great, but I don't think it was perfect. I don't think the build up to him actually falling was enough; the leaves simply said he could do it and eventually he did.

I love stories like this! Lance is a leaf who needs to fall, but he's scared! I love the illustrations and while the story may seem simple, there is so much fun to it. It reminds me of stories like The Good Egg or the Cool Bean by Jory John. I find them so relatable and I love that there's a bit of humor. For sure going on my to-buy list and recommending it to friends and family.