Watch the world transform when fall comes! In the middle of fall, it takes only one gust of wind to turn the whole world yellow and red and orange.
Caldecott Medalist and New York Times-bestselling author Kevin Henkes’s memorable text introduces basic concepts of language and the unique beauty of the fall season. Laura Dronzek’s expressive paintings illuminate pumpkins, apples, falling leaves, busy squirrels, and the transformation from colorful autumn to frosty winter.
“This exquisite picture book will inspire youngsters to get outdoors and observe the world around them.”—School Library Journal (starred review)
In a starred review, Kirkus called In the Middle of Fall “A touching portrait of the fall season from two superb artists.”
In the Middle of Fall, Winter Is Here, When Spring Comes, and Summer Song make for a beautiful quartet of seasonal-theme picture books to share at home or in the classroom. Ideal for introducing the season, for story time, and for bedtime reading.
Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and as an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for Kitten’s First Full Moon; Caldecott Honors for Waiting and Owen; two Newbery Honors, one for Olive’s Ocean and one for The Year of Billy Miller; and Geisel Honors for Waiting and Penny and Her Marble. His other books include The World and Everything In It; A House; A Parade of Elephants; Chrysanthemum; and the beloved Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. Kevin Henkes lives with his family in Madison, Wisconsin.
Laura Dronzek is a painter whose work has been exhibited nationally. Her picture books include Moonlight, by Helen V. Griffith; It Is Night, by Phyllis Rowand; White Is for Blueberry, by George Shannon; Little Houses, by Kevin Henkes; and a quartet of seasonal picture books also by Kevin Henkes. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.
★ “Author-illustrator duo Henkes and Dronzek extol the quiet splendors of autumn in this lyrical, exquisite complement to their previous seasonal outing. Henkes’ text masterfully raises and stirs moods and sensations in pieces. A touching portrait of the fall season from two superb artists.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ “From the husband-and-wife team behind When Spring Comes comes another stirring picture book about the changing seasons. Masterfully conceived and executed, this perfectly captures the sights and feelings many children experience during the transition from fall to winter.” — Booklist (starred review)
★ “Henkes and Dronzek’s latest offering stands on its own as a quietly joyful paean to autumn. Closing endpapers decorated with lacy snowflakes put the final touch on this gorgeous offering. A picture book to fall for.” — Horn Book (starred review)
★ “Poetic text and lush-hued acrylic paintings depict a rural setting fully turned to autumn. Delightful details and sensory-rich images pack the pages. A must-have for autumn storytimes and investigations, this exquisite picture book will inspire youngsters to get outdoors and observe the world around them.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“In the evocative companion to When Spring Comes, spouses Dronzek and Henkes praise the beauty of fall in full swing. It’s a rich homage to the season—both its blazing colors and the signs of coming winter darkness.” — Publishers Weekly
“Henkes’s gentle but vivid text has a cozy rhythm that makes this a lulling and evocative readaloud. Dronzek’s full-bleed acrylic illustrations lean on autumnal russets and oranges, using the changing colors of the sky as it moves from slate to cyan for vibrant contrast. Lovely.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books (starred review)
