Reviews

Dance Like a Leaf by A.J. Irving

mldavisreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Picture Book.  A young girl celebrates autumn with her grandmother by sipping tea, piling on scarves, and dancing like a leaf.  But as this autumn continues, Grandma loses her mojo.  First she goes outside half-heartedly, then she stays in bed, and then the bed is empty.  The young girl is shown with tears in her eyes.  As the next autumn approaches, she gets some tea and scarves to head outside in her grandmother's memory. 

The illustrations of this book show the beauty of autumn in its colorful glory.  The story shows the love of a grandmother and a granddaughter and how difficult it can be when a grandparent passes.  The author never mentions how Grandma died or uses specific words about death, which leaves room for an adult to use words of their choice with a child.  Unfortunately stories about grief are always needed and this one is a great new addition.