Robert Maass

Photojournalist, documentary film-maker and picture book creator Robert Maass celebrates autumn in this seasonal title, pairing a simple text describing things done in the fall with his own photographs. The activities described and depicted are rural—getting the harvest in, pressing cider, selling pumpkins—and the photographs look like they were taken in upstate New York (or maybe Long Island? there is a shore scene) or somewhere in New England.

I've recently become interested in picture show more books illustrated with photographs rather than drawings, paintings or other visual arts, and being fond of this season, sought out When Autumn Comes as a result. Maass has created four picture books in this vein, for each of the seasons, as well as the more recent (2011) A Is for Autumn. I found this one fairly engaging, and appreciated that the photographs captured real people doing real things. I think I would have enjoyed it more if the photographs had been a little more colorful, as the bright hues of the season are something I look forward to all year, but the understated images here also capture the feeling of autumn, in its less showy moments. Recommended to those seeking photographic picture books in general, or picture books about autumn and the activities associated with the season. show less

Photographer, filmmaker and children's book author Robert Maass, who explored the four seasons in previous picture books, returns to autumn in this photographic alphabet book. Many of the letters here represent autumnal items, from the titular apple to pumpkins and frost. Others are not exclusively autumnal—E for exercise, for instance—but are paired with photographs depicting that action or item in autumn.

Published in 2011, A Is for Autumn is the second book I have read from Maass, show more following upon his 1990 When Autumn Comes, which also explores this season through a photographic depiction. In that sense, the books are very similar, although the earlier title, one of four devoted to the seasons, was not an alphabet book. I think the photographs here are brighter than in that earlier book, which is nice, as the colors of the season are part of what I love about it. Overall, I wouldn't say this one made a strong impression on me—like other online reviewers, I felt that more of the words/items should have been explicitly tied to the season—but I am glad to have tracked it down, as part of my recent interest in photographic (as opposed to illustrated) picture books. Recommended to those seeking photographic picture books in general, or alphabet/picture books about autumn and the activities associated with the season. show less

In When Spring Comes Robert Maass details the natural and cultural events that take place in the spring. When spring Comes is engaging and well organized. The photographs were appropriate and clearly described the text. Maass’ tone in this book was upbeat and conversational and the addition of the Easter and Passover became an unexpected multicultural teaching moment for my students. My kindergarten class loved this book! I used it as my primary book in a thermic unit on spring and must show more have read it four times to my students. I highly recommended this book for kindergarten through 5th grades. show less

This is another book that I really enjoyed. It is full of diversity and shows many different settings of place and culture. It also gives children many fun ideas on what to do. They can also come up with their own ideas or remember old memories to write about. The only downfall is that it seems a little outdated.