Wordless Picture Books

King, S.M (2008). Leaf. NY: Roaring Brook.

ISBN-13: 978-1-59643-503-2, ISBN-10: 1-59643-503-8

This wordless story is about a boy who is having fun playing, refuses to have any attention in grooming his hair. When his mom approaches him to comb or even cut his hair he runs away. A red bird comes along and drops a seed on his head. After awhile the seed begins to grow and a leaf appears out of his head. The boy starts to develop a relationship with the plant and learns how to nurture it by giving the plant sunlight and water with the help of his dog. One morning the mom decides to give the boy a haircut. The little boy is saddened as he is separated from plant, he then goes and plants it up on the hill. As times passes by, the leaf turns into a beautiful big tree. As the dog sitting under the tree a little red bird plops a seed on his head. 

I would use this book for three to five-year olds because it has a wonderful concept behind the story. It is a great wordless book that the kids could use their imagination on what would happen next. It may get the children to think about nature and how to take care of our earth. The illustration is outlined with black ink and the artist is uses watercolors. The colors used give the pictures a nice earthy feel to it. Also, when looking at each illustration you mind wonders to what will happen next.

Provocations:

In the morning when all the children get in or even during circle time I would present the children with a small plant. I would then ask the children how a plant grows or if they could tell me anything about it. Or during circle time I would show the children the cover of the book and ask them why the little boy has a leaf growing out of his head.

Ways to present the story: 
1.) When showing the book I would turn the pages slowly so the children can use their imagination to what would happen next. . I would stop and wonder on:

page 14 - when the leaf is growing out of the boys head. I would wonder could we grow a leaf out of our heads?

page 43 - I would stop the book here, it’s when the mother cuts the boys hair all off along with the leaf. I would wonder with the children what would happen next. I wonder what will happen to the leaf, and what they will do with it? Then after discussing with the children I would resume reading the book.  

page 49 - I would wonder if the plant would still be able to grow?

 2.) I would use a felt board and have a photocopy/laminated cut out of the main props. Putting a bit of felt on the back of the images so it can stick to the felt board. I would need an image of the boy, his hair, dog, bird, the boy’s mom, water jug, sun, tree, and a leaf. And we would tell the story as a group.

 3.) Using a cookie tin with magnetic figures to move around. Have the figures photocopied and laminated then put a magnet on the back of it. The pieces I would use as my main prop is of the boy, his hair, dog, bird, the boys mom, water jug, sun, tree, and a leaf. I would tell the story or if the children wanted to tell the story.

Extensions:
1.) Have a discussion on how to begin planting and how we are able to nurture them. What essentials are required to making a plant grow and keeping it alive and healthy. Learn about different types of leafs; their shapes, sizes and how they colors change with different seasons.

2.) Get the children to draw or paint a portrait of themselves and have something growing out of their head. The children don’t have to draw a leaf, they can use their imagination and pick whatever they like.

3.) Start a garden outside where the children can have hands on experience of how to plant flowers, vegetables, or trees. Or we can do it indoor using individual pots with soil in it and plant a lentil seed.