Leaf Man is a visual feast—Lois Ehlert's leaf collage illustrations are genuinely stunning and the die-cut pages add a nice tactile element. It's the kind of book that makes you want to go outside and collect leaves immediately.

But let's be real: there's almost no story here. It's more like a meditation on autumn with pictures. 'Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows' is basically the entire plot. Some kids will be mesmerized by the images and the open-ended journey. Others will be like 'okay, but what happens?'

This shines as a fall/autumn book for nature study, art inspiration, or just appreciating the season. It's perfect for the classroom or for families who love nature walks and crafts. But if your kid needs narrative momentum and character arcs, this isn't it. Think of it as visual poetry rather than a storybook, and you'll be in the right mindset.