MaiStoryBook Library

MaiStoryBook Library: The Leaf Thief + *The Real Leaf Thief* Squirrel Fall Craft

by MaiStoryBook

Introducing a humorous tale of Fall Foliage, perfect for welcoming Autumn ~ featured in the MaiStoryBook Library Collection:

“The Leaf Thief” by Alice Hemming, Illustrated by Nicola Slater

*~Click here to purchase your own copy of “The Leaf Thief” to start on your own reading adventure! ~*

Book Synopsis/ Review

Squirrel’s tree is missing some leaves! Yesterday the branches were filled with golden and amber toned leaves~ but today, some are gone! This must mean… There’s a Leaf Thief on the loose! With the help of his forest friends, will Squirrel be able to find this seasonal culprit?

This Autumn story makes a delightful introduction to any unit/ conversation about Fall Foliage and why the leaves fall during this season. A note at the end reveals *The Real Leaf Thief* ~ aka *the wind* ~ and shares more details about Autumn seasonal changes. Learn about which trees shed their leaves, and discuss other changes that come with Fall. Overall, littles will giggle over Squirrel’s antics and accusations as he tries to find the Leaf Thief responsible for his missing leaves. Plus, the vibrant illustrations ring in fall with all the right colors!

Vocabulary

  • canopy (p. 1) something that hangs overhead above you to give shade or covering
  • disaster (p. 16) something very bad and terrible that happens
  • rustles (p. 19) a soft, shaking, crackling sound
  • disturb (p. 21) to bother someone
  • deciduous (p. 26) the name for trees that lose their leaves in the fall

Themes/ Main Idea

  • Nature changes in response to the changing seasons. Different seasons bring different changes.
  • Autumn changes in nature: On some trees, leaves change colors and fall. Days get shorter. The weather gets cooler. Animals prepare for winter.

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*The Real Leaf Thief* Squirrel Craft

What are some of your favorite Autumn nature changes? Unfortunately, here in SoCal, there aren’t many deciduous trees, so the beautiful fall foliage colors are rare. However, the weather does cool down enough for some *sweater weather* and pumpkin spiced candles! In *The Leaf Thief,* little learners read along as Squirrel learns the real reason why his leaves are disappearing from his tree. Use the featured craft template down below to record more facts about the seasonal changes of Fall, or to share more about *The Real Leaf Thief.* Littles will enjoy crafting their own squirrel and coloring in the leaves with Fall colors to welcome this new season!

Materials

Directions

  • Choose Your Cover Template: Black & White or Color Templates . There are 3 different versions: Blank, Leaf Thief, Leaves
  • Fill in the blank rectangle with your name if you chose “Leaf Thief” or “Leaves”
  • Cut out the Cover Template. Color if you chose Black-and-White
  • Next, Choose a Response Template. There are 5 Differentiated options and one blank.
  • There are 2 Prompted Response Templates for Picture or Written Responses:
  • First Blank: draw/write who the leaf thief is (the wind)
  • Colors of Leaves: Draw and color or write the different colors of fall leaves
  • Trees: Deciduous trees lose their leaves. You can research pictures/ types of deciduous trees for students to draw or name
  • Other Autumn Changes: What other changes happen in Autumn? (See the back of the book for examples) : Days are shorter, animals migrate, cooler weather, animals store food to prepare for winter
  • There are 3 Free Response Templates:
  • Picture Space, Picture + Lines for Writing, Writing only
  • Heading: “The Real Leaf Thief” – draw/write about the real leaf thief and what happens to the leaves in autumn
  • Blank: Write/ Draw anything Autumn-Related or anything that relates to the story
  • Print and Cut out the Response Template. Color if you chose Black and White.
  • To connect the Craft: Attach the Cover Template to the Response Template by glueing the Cover on top of the Response section of the Squirrel. (Put Glue where it says glue on the gray area on the Squirrel Response Template)
  • Line up the Leaf-Edges of the Cover to the edges on the Squirrel-Response-Template and glue it down.
  • The Cover Flap should completely cover your responses. The Craft should look like Squirrel holding a bundle of leaves.
  • Lift the Cover Flap to reveal your responses about the Real Leaf Thief underneath.
  • WATCH VIDEO PREVIEW (on the original TPT listing)

Enjoy Your *Real Leaf Thief* Squirrel Craft

  • Use your craft to remind you of all the changes that Autumn brings.
  • Re-read the story with your Squirrel Craft Buddies, and you can act out the scenes with your own squirrel craft.
  • Share your craft with friends and family to share facts about Fall.
  • Share your craft and ask friends and family what seasonal changes they love about Fall.
  • Display the crafts for a festive Fall display, and to remind students of all the seasonal changes of Autumn.

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*~ I hope you are enjoying plenty of *Autumn* reading adventures this season, Mai Friends! Tag me on Instagram @MaiStoryBookLibrary or FaceBook , find me on TikTok, or contact me via email to share your own *Real Leaf Thief* Squirrel Crafts and your own reading adventures! I’d love to hear about what you’re reading and learning!~*

Enjoy More Fall Read Aloud Videos Here!

*~Until next time, Happy Reading~*

 *This post contains affiliate links, meaning a small percentage of your purchases will go to MaiStoryBook to help create Reading Resources for your littles*