In the Middle of Fall

by Kevin Henkes, Laura Dronzek (Illustrator)

Explore the sounds, sights, smells, and textures of a new season—fall—in this picture book. In the middle of fall, the sky is nearly gray, the leaves have already turned, and all it takes is one gust of wind to turn the world yellow and red and orange.

Genres: Picture Books, Autumn, Storytime, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2017

About the author

Kevin Henkes is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. As an illustrator he won the Caldecott Medal for Kitten's First Full Moon (2004). Two of his books were Newbery Medal Honor Books, Olive's Ocean in 2004 and The Year of Billy Miller in 2014. His picture book Waiting was named both a 2016 Caldecott Honor Book and a Geisel Honor Book. It was only the second time any author has won that combination of awards.

Reviews

[Melki]

Another absolute winner by Henkes!

This tale of the tail end of autumn features stunning artwork by Laura Dronzek.



The pages feature punch-you-in-the-face color, just like fall itself. Then, all too soon, the skies fill with white stuff as another season makes its debut. This book truly captures the excitement of autumn.

[Julie]

Fall is my favorite season and I've been exploring the works of Kevin Henkes that he didn't illustrate himself; this one is illustrated by his wife, Laura Dronzek. The colors are gorgeous and the ideas are interesting - I love how the book starts when the leaves have already turned "and the apples are like ornaments." Although the emphasis is on the natural colors of fall - reds, browns, oranges - there is occasionally a splash of another appropriate color, like a purple coat or neon-yellow rain boots as the children are picking apples or pumpkins. This book, part of a series the author/illustrator pair have conceived to illustrate the four seasons, also explores the transition to winter. Very nicely done.

[Jessica]

Exquisite look at the turning of the season, fall into winter. I had to read Rylant's In November to the kids immediately after, and they go together perfectly. This is a simpler, brighter book, Rylant has more of a hush to it. But it's just as lovely.

[Josiah]

In the Middle of Fall is the type of book Kevin Henkes and his wife, the fine artist Laura Dronzek, work together on best: a simple, spare story celebrating nature's glories through understated words and paintings. Autumn is perhaps the most sensuous of the four seasons. Brightly hued leaves clinging to tree branches before letting go to form a blanket on the ground; crisp, cool air carrying the light sting of smoke from burning leaves; big orange pumpkins, fresh red apples, and squirrels playing while they prepare for the long, frigid winter. There are reasons galore to love fall.

Through closeup and distant images the array of autumn experiences is shown. A girl and her dog sit quietly on a swing beneath a tree with colored leaves as dazzling as if they were aflame. Birds and mice nibble at the shriveled remains of the garden, taking extra nourishment before the first frost. Children dressed in sweaters and knitted caps cavort in a pumpkin patch, and for a few days after the leaves fall, the ground is a rich carpet of russet, crimson, and gold. It's a grand show, but cherish it now; soon the leaves will crumble and blow away, and you'll have only memories of fall until next year. Live in the moment and love this colorful season while we have it.

Kevin Henkes is the Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator, but Laura Dronzek is just as good an artist, and she transforms In the Middle of Fall into a gorgeous canvas evoking the best of the season. Every page could be framed and hung as a painting in someone's home or a museum. Kevin Henkes's writing has its moments, such as the comparison of autumn apples to ornaments loosely hung on a tree. I'd rate In the Middle of Fall at least one and a half stars, maybe two, and for an essentially plotless story it's not bad. I recommend this book if you want a read that will get you into the spirit of the season in October or November.

[Alyssa]

If I had the ability to begin this review with emoji that has hearts for eyes, I would have done so. "In the Middle of Fall" set my Autumn senses tingling and made waiting for my favorite season just that much harder. If I taught lower elementary, I would be reading this to my students every school year. The colors are vibrant and simplistic, it features adorable woodland creatures, and is everything you could want in a book about the seasons. Note: I read an unbound, unpublished, early copy of this work.

[Christine (Tina)]

Beautifully vivid, simply written rendition of fall...great to share with a family and then plan a few days at different points during the season to observe the changes in leaves, trees, the sky.

[Chance Lee]

A sweet and simple book about the changing of seasons and the temporary nature of fall foliage. Urges readers to stop and savor all the colors because soon they will be gone... until next year.

[Laura Harrison]

An absolutely perfect book for fall. Bold, bright and simple illustrations. Perfect for an Autumn story time.

[Rebecca Ann]

This is a quieter book about fall imagery with an interactive whoooosh in the middle. The illustrations are beautiful and it is a great choice for a gentle storytime.

[Abigail]

A simple text describing the changes brought by fall is paired with vividly colorful acrylic artwork in this appealing seasonal picture-book for younger children. With no more than a few words per page, author Kevin Henkes highlights how everything from the leaves to the air has changed, while Laura Dronzek's illustrations depict a series of beautiful autumnal scenes...

One of four picture-books created by husband-and-wife team Henkes and Dronzek about the four seasons - other titles include Winter Is Here , When Spring Comes and Summer Song - In the Middle of Fall is a book I appreciated predominately for the visuals. Dronzek's artwork really pops off the page in some scenes - the two-page spread of the squirrels was a favorite - and captures the beauty of the season. Although the text wasn't terrible, I think this would have worked just as well, or even better, as a wordless picture-book. Recommended to picture-book readers seeking autumn stories for younger (2-4 perhaps?) audiences.

[Ailish O’Sullivan]

This was the perfect length for my current attention span! A simple yet beautiful book about the changing of seasons from fall to winter 🍂🍁 3.5 stars

[Sara]

Gorgeous illustrations. A good selection for the youngest book lovers.

[Baby Bookworm]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is In The Middle Of Fall, written by Kevin Henkes and illustrated by Laura Dronzek, a lovely meditation on the magical time of year when nature is filled with the color of fall.

There is a time that comes only once a year… a short time between the air growing cooler and the ice coming in, between the chittering of animals and the silence of snowfall, between the bright green of leaves on the tree and the naked branches reaching into a blank white sky. It’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it time, but if you’re paying attention, there’s ripe round pumpkins and apples, busy squirrels, and a cool gray sky. And occasionally, when the wind stirs up just right, the world becomes a riotous flutter of reds and yellows and oranges and browns that leap from the treetops to dance and settle on the ground.

This is a quiet and very mellow book about autumn, and I really liked it. The text is minimal and contemplative, and very soothing to read aloud, considering and celebrating just a handful of fall things and colors in a reverent sort of tone. The art compliments this perfectly, capturing the elements of fall in a soft autumnal palette that rises and falls with the gentle narrative of the words. The length is fine, and JJ and I both enjoyed it. A tranquil exploration of the beauty of autumn, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Michael Fitzgerald]

So very mediocre. Henkes seems to be phoning in his books now. (Doesn't even have to phone, with his wife doing all the illustrating.) This one has two sentences (the second beginning with "But") split over 32 pages. The illustrations are nice but mundane, and there is no surprise or excitement about them.

[Jocelin]

A great book that shows the changing of the season to autumn. The illustrations really capture the spirit of fall.

[Julie Seifert]

I'm a sucker for any book about fall and this is a great one

[June]

Simple, but exquisite picture book that captures the autumn season.

[Maggi Rohde]

Yet another Henkes book for preschoolers! Always a win. This one is perfectly adequate.

[Jessica Furtado]

A sweetly illustrated book that brings autumn to life and teaches children about the brief, beautiful seasons. Storytime kiddos will enjoy making a whooshing wind sound in the middle of the story as the leaves fall and color the world in reds and yellows. A great book for late October or early November when fall is starting to fade.

[Mary]

Another lovely addition to the Henkes / Dronzek's homage to the seasons. In Summer Song, the endpapers in the back display the beginning of autumn. In this picture book, the front endpapers show autumn leaves and acorns while the endpapers at the back have snowflakes paving the way for the next book. A wonderful addition to any preschool unit on seasons.

[Kim]

Perfect Wisconsin fall book.

[Michele Knott]

I feel like this is an ode to the Midwest!!

[Lori]

Would be a lovely addition to a preschool or kindergarten room to celebrate seasons.

[KC]

I love the bold colors of each illustration. Story is a bit boring. A couple of long, run on sentences.

[Kai Charles(Fiction State Of Mind)]

Beautifully illustrated and a great palate cleanser read celebrating Fall

[Mary]

This short book is an enjoyable introduction to the changing of seasons from fall to winter for very young children.

[Tegan]

I love the fall. I just wish we had more of it here! Super cute book.

[Teresa Biggie]

Just a ok book about fall — no humor. No rhymes and the illlustrations were just ok

[Emma]

I keep waiting for Henkes and Dronzek to be less charming. Hasn't happened yet.

[Brittany]

A great story about seasons changing. The story was so easy to read and easy for a child to understand. Illustrations flow with the story SO well and are absolutely beautiful. I only wish I would have found this book during "Fall" for my daughter. When the leaves are mostly on the ground it is just a little too late. Ha! Find this one early!