Leo F. Buscaglia (1924–1998)

Freddie the leaf grows to maturity on the branch of a tree, surrounded by his fellow leaves, and guided in wisdom by Daniel, the largest and oldest leaf of all. He experiences Spring, Summer and Fall, with all of their beauty and majesty. When Winter comes, and it is time for him to fall, to die, Freddie is frightened, and refuses to let go of his branch. Even Daniel's wise words cannot help him then, and eventually he is the last leaf on the tree, stubbornly clinging to life. But one day he show more does fall, seeing the splendor of his arboreal home for the first time, and going on (although he does not know it) to help create more life...

We had The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages in my childhood home, and I read it countless times as a girl, finding it terrifying, mysterious, beautiful, and ultimately reassuring. Although it is secular, and addresses the topic of death through an entirely natural lens, it has a spiritual feeling to it, and would be appropriate for people of many different beliefs, I feel. First published in 1982, it has become a minor classic, in the field of bibliotherapy for young people. It is illustrated with photographs of trees and leaves throughout the seasons - an illustrative style more popular in the 1970s and 80s, than it is today - and is fairly text-heavy, so I wouldn't recommend it for very young children. I couldn't say whether this was the perfect book to use explore the idea of death with specific children, but I do know that I found it very meaningful when I was a child myself, and recommend that adults seeking such titles take a look, and decide whether it suits the child reader/listener in their lives. show less

Rated: A+

My first Leo book was "Love" when I was a very young Marine. Opened a window to a part of personhood I had never been exposed to... Thirty-eight years later and I see that book as the starting point that lead me to school teaching, school teaching, counseling psychology, ministry work, and an approach to emergency medical services I would have never known. This wonderful book is a perfect gift for young people who have lost someone.

Leo Buscaglia is an absolute joy to watch and listen to, and he writes about his father in the same enthusiastic vein. Clearly an homage to his father, the book also evokes a different time and era, where relationships within and between families were paramount. A time when family histories and stories were part of the oral traditions and handed down over dining room discussions; when food and family became one. It is a wonderful little book, it would probably mean little or nothing to those show more born before the 1980's, but would trigger happy memories for those born in and earlier and more family-oriented time. But those who are younger, it would be a good example of how life could still be lived, and how fathers could still be wonderful role models. show less