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

Stef Wade used to write about cardboard boxes, but thinks writing books is far more exciting. She was the co-creator and writer for the former cooking and home blog Haute Apple Pie. Stef holds a BA in advertising from Marquette University and an MBA in Integrated Marketing Communication from DePaul University. Stef is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She currently resides in the greater Milwaukee area with her husband and three boys.

As a child, Jennifer Davison was always drawing, imagining, and creating. She began her career as a digital artist in an animation studio in Belfast, working on a variety of projects for children’s TV. Jennifer’s passion for illustration led her to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator, working on a number of children’s books including A Very Noisy Christmas, A Very Happy Easter, and The Twelve Dancing Princesses. Jennifer lives in Northern Ireland and works in her little studio, surrounded by children’s books, toys, and numerous hot cups of tea.