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The Leaf Thief: (The Perfect Fall Book for Children and Toddlers) Paperback – Picture Book, August 3, 2021
A New York Times Bestseller!
Perfect for fans of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, The Leaf Thief is a funny picture book that teaches kids about autumn, adapting to change, and the seasons.
Squirrel loves counting the leaves on his tree―red leaves, gold leaves, orange, and more. But hold on! One of his leaves is missing! On a quest to find the missing leaf, Squirrel teams up with his good friend Bird to discover who the leaf thief could be among their forest friends.
With vibrant art and captivating characters, the magic of autumn is captured beautifully on each page as readers tag along Squirrel's forest adventure. Is there truly a leaf thief afoot, or is something else going on in Squirrel's forest? A perfect exploration of change―both seasonal, and the anxiety that change sometimes causes. Bonus material explaining about the changing of the seasons. Poised to be a new fall classic.
Pick up The Leaf Thief if you are looking for:
A classic read for ages 4 and up
Back to school books, ideal for your classroom, homeschool curriculum, and more!
Seasonal and educational stories about the changing seasons
- Reading age2 - 5 years, from customers
- Print length32 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade levelPreschool - 3
- Lexile measureAD500L
- Dimensions10.09 x 0.33 x 11.08 inches
- PublisherSourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Publication dateAugust 3, 2021
- ISBN-101728235200
- ISBN-13978-1728235202
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"The personalities of animals who're ready for hibernation are captured in the bemused details of this fun seasonal story, from a tiny bird's decorated house to Squirrel's own warm, happy home." - Foreword
"Squirrel's wildly dramatic, misguided, and hyperpossessive reaction to a routine seasonal event becomes a rib-tickling farce through clever use of varying type sizes and weights emphasizing his absurd verbal pronouncements as well as exaggerated, comic facial expressions and body language." - Kirkus Reviews
"This is such a silly story of how one little squirrel misunderstands the concept of leaves falling off the trees in the autumn months... The colors are bright and little details add a touch of humor[.]" - Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review
Review
"The personalities of animals who're ready for hibernation are captured in the bemused details of this fun seasonal story, from a tiny bird's decorated house to Squirrel's own warm, happy home." - Foreword
"Squirrel's wildly dramatic, misguided, and hyperpossessive reaction to a routine seasonal event becomes a rib-tickling farce through clever use of varying type sizes and weights emphasizing his absurd verbal pronouncements as well as exaggerated, comic facial expressions and body language." - Kirkus Reviews
"This is such a silly story of how one little squirrel misunderstands the concept of leaves falling off the trees in the autumn months... The colors are bright and little details add a touch of humor[.]" - Youth Services Book Review, STARRED review
About the Author
Alice Hemming has worked as a librarian, a website editor, and university outreach manager. She lives in Hertfordshire, England.alicehemming.co.uk
Nicola Slater is a full-time illustrator. She lives in Cheshire, England.
Product details
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Publication date : August 3, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 32 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1728235200
- ISBN-13 : 978-1728235202
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Reading age : 2 - 5 years, from customers
- Dimensions : 10.09 x 0.33 x 11.08 inches
- Part of series : The Leaf Thief
- Grade level : Preschool - 3
- Lexile measure : AD500L
- Best Sellers Rank: #534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the authors
Alice has never been at a loss for ideas. A childhood playing make-believe and working her way through the shelves of the local library helped fuel her imagination. She began her working life as a librarian and a web content editor, while all the time attending various part-time classes, in sculpture, illustration and writing.
On maternity leave with her first child, she vowed to complete just one unfinished project. That became the text for her first published picture book, 'The Black and White Club' (Maverick publishing), with illustrator Kimberley Scott. Since then, she has gone on to publish over fifty books, including 'The Dark Unicorn' series (Scholastic) and 'The Leaf Thief' with illustrator Nicola Slater, which has sold all over the world. Her books for younger children are made for sharing, with fun dialogue and text that works in harmony with the illustrations. Her fairytales for older children draw on her love of traditional tales and folklore.
Alice lives in Hertfordshire, UK with her husband and two children. When she’s not visiting schools, she works in a writing shed at the top of her garden, where she can immerse herself in the world of her stories. She finds inspiration all around her and is in no danger of running out of ideas!
Please visit her website at www.alicehemming.co.uk
Nicola Slater has illustrated many picture books, including the New York Times bestselling 'The Leaf Thief' with Alice Hemming, 'Don't Say Elephant' with Stuart Heritage, 'There's a Skunk in my Bunk' with Christopher Cerf, and many more, all of which have been translated into numerous languages throughout the world. In her spare time she likes looking at animals, sitting in the rain, and tickling her children.
Customer reviews
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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find this children's book perfect for story time, with vibrant illustrations and lovely colors. They appreciate its educational value, with one customer noting how it sneaks in science tidbits, and its well-crafted writing and nice size. Customers like the character development, with animated voices for each character, and find it easy for 4-year-olds to follow.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the story quality of this children's book, describing it as a cute and fun tale that's perfect for story time.
"...The story is simple and funny, easy to follow and has cute graphics. The packaging of the book is cute as well with reflects on the leaves...." Read more
"...The pictures are fun and it is a cute story...." Read more
"Cute book, colorful graphics; makes a great baby shower gift. Cute story." Read more
"Sturdy, and good artwork. Fun story and talks about how autumn comes every year. And the trees aren't broken. Haha. And a respect for wildlife" Read more
Customers appreciate the book's illustrations, which are cute and help explain fall, with vibrant colors and a simple theme.
"Would make a perfect fall/halloween gift for a kid! So cute and funny!" Read more
"I thought this was such a cute book I've bought three copies!..." Read more
"Adorable, teachable book...." Read more
"This book is a great story with beautiful illustrations. My 3 year old grandson loves this book. The book is a nice size for preschoolers...." Read more
Customers find the book educational and attention-grabbing, with one customer noting how it sneaks in science tidbits, while another mentions its usefulness for teaching story elements.
"...It is also so fun to read! It is silly and educational at the same time. Everyone here loves it, including mom and dad!" Read more
"...Although it's a fairly quick read it's very educational, and we as parents enjoy reading it to our toddler. I appreciate that it is STEAM focused!" Read more
"My 2 year old class love this book. They ere very engaged and wanted to find out who stole the leaves." Read more
"...of the changing seasons while using that to help little tikes to understand their changing emotions...." Read more
Customers appreciate the character development in the book, with several noting the animated voices for each character, and one mentioning nice interactions between them.
"...4. There are multiple characters throughout it so you can choose to change your voice/emotions/pitch when reading..." Read more
"Very entertaining. Cute characters, beautiful illustrations, funny story." Read more
"...Note: You have to get into it and just have fun. Make fun voices for the characters and create a little magic as you read." Read more
"...illustrations is complementary to the text and the hyper over-acting of the squirrel character likening him to actor Jim Cary...." Read more
Customers like the book's length, describing it as perfect but short and nice size, with one customer noting it's particularly suitable for preschoolers.
"...My 3 year old grandson loves this book. The book is a nice size for preschoolers. I highly recommend this book." Read more
"...3. It’s not too long where your toddler loses interest. (It would be hard to anyway) 4...." Read more
"...It's a fun read with engaging illustrations, and its just long enough to make it feel like a great value...." Read more
"Larger than expected. I thought it was a small board book for some reason. Great artwork! Definitely happy with our purchase." Read more
Customers find the book easy to read, particularly noting that it is simple enough for 4-year-olds to follow.
"...And the graphics are just too cute! Although it's a fairly quick read it's very educational, and we as parents enjoy reading it to our toddler...." Read more
"A pretty simple book, with a simple theme. Definitely for younger readers." Read more
"...and depth of color are spectacular and yet not too complicated for the target age. Already ordered another for our Village library...." Read more
"...The story is simple and funny, easy to follow and has cute graphics. The packaging of the book is cute as well with reflects on the leaves...." Read more
Customers praise the writing quality of the book, noting its well-crafted prose and good production values, with one customer mentioning it reads like it was written by a child.
"...They put a great deal into the quality of the production. First of all hadn’t realized it was this big—about 12 X11...." Read more
"...The illustrations are artistically captivating, and the writing is well-crafted." Read more
"My granddaughters love this book. I think it is really a well written book" Read more
"...they love it. the pages are thick and the colors bold." Read more
Customers like the color scheme of the book, with one mentioning how the shades of red appear on the pages and another noting that the cover coloring truly pops.
"Colorful, bright, must have." Read more
"...There are so many Earth Science topics to discuss: seasons, why leaves change colors, types of trees." Read more
"...The cover coloring truly pops and they have further heightened the scene by over painting some of the oak leaves with this perfect copper metallic..." Read more
"...they love it. the pages are thick and the colors bold." Read more
Reviews with images

Exquisitely Produced-Precious “Story”
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseI like at the end of the book they talk about facts about the wind
- Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseCutest book ever my son loves it
- Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseMy 4 year old granddaughter and 3 year grandson just love this sweet story!!! I have order 2 more books in this series.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseMy granddaughter loved this book.
- Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book is seriously so cute. I'm a big fan because it is not based around a holiday, but a season. And the graphics are just too cute! Although it's a fairly quick read it's very educational, and we as parents enjoy reading it to our toddler. I appreciate that it is STEAM focused!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseA pretty simple book, with a simple theme. Definitely for younger readers.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase🐿️🍁 I don’t want to include too many photos and deny you the joy I felt first seeing it. The publisher obviously knew they had something truly special in hand. (NYT Kids Bestseller) They put a great deal into the quality of the production. First of all hadn’t realized it was this big—about 12 X11. The cover coloring truly pops and they have further heightened the scene by over painting some of the oak leaves with this perfect copper metallic wash. The story is exactly what I wanted— opening a young child to the joys of the changing seasons while using that to help little tikes to understand their changing emotions. The illustrations and depth of color are spectacular and yet not too complicated for the target age. Already ordered another for our Village library. Think of what fun it will be to take a blanket outside maybe with a picnic lunch and perhaps read it there for the first time together. Enjoy!
5.0 out of 5 stars🐿️🍁 I don’t want to include too many photos and deny you the joy I felt first seeing it. The publisher obviously knew they had something truly special in hand. (NYT Kids Bestseller) They put a great deal into the quality of the production. First of all hadn’t realized it was this big—about 12 X11. The cover coloring truly pops and they have further heightened the scene by over painting some of the oak leaves with this perfect copper metallic wash. The story is exactly what I wanted— opening a young child to the joys of the changing seasons while using that to help little tikes to understand their changing emotions. The illustrations and depth of color are spectacular and yet not too complicated for the target age. Already ordered another for our Village library. Think of what fun it will be to take a blanket outside maybe with a picnic lunch and perhaps read it there for the first time together. Enjoy!Exquisitely Produced-Precious “Story”
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024
Images in this review
- Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2025Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseThis book is SO CUTE! We read the squirrel bit fast and chittery, and the other animals slower/normal. The kiddos LOVE it!
Top reviews from other countries
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LisaReviewed in Spain on December 11, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Autumn Book
El mejor libro que hemos leído hasta ahora para el otoño
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Susana LizarragaReviewed in Mexico on October 13, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Lindísimo.
Format: PaperbackVerified PurchaseEs una historia muy divertida. Ardilla cree que alguien se está robando las hojas de su árbol, cuando lo que está sucediendo en realidad es el cambio de estación.
Es cómico, muy lindo y puede ser ejemplo para que los niños conozcan el cambio de estaciones.
Además la portada tiene tinta metálica, ¡Hermoso!
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Ali ÖztürkReviewed in Turkey on January 26, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Harika
Harika bir doğa öyküsü. Yaprakların sonbaharda dökülüp baharda yeniden çıktığını çok tatlı ve esprili şekilde anlatan bir hikaye.
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A.D.Reviewed in France on February 12, 2025
5.0 out of 5 stars Amusant
J'adore vraiment ce petit écureuil ! Les histoires sont mignonnes, amusantes et aident à comprendre la nature grâce à notre écureuil curieux qui découvre les saisons. L'oiseau a bien du courage !
- Sonia P.Reviewed in Germany on October 28, 2023
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Such a nice book and great story. My daughter thinks the squirrel is hilarious. I myself like the informational aspect and the playful story. Great for our autumn book shelf!