Maybe it’s the changing seasons; the fall feel in the air is more frequent these days. Or maybe it’s the impending birthdays in my family. I’m trying to forget mine, while the younger members are looking for evidence of growth.

And that’s just what Ruth Krauss has captured perfectly in The Growing Story , newly illustrated by Helen Oxenbury (HarperCollins).

Just before summer, “a boy and a puppy and some chicks were all very little.” His mother assures him that each will grow, just as the seasons change. By the start of cooler weather, the little boy has outgrown his clothing, joyfully announcing, “I’m growing, too!”

Fall. It’s a great time of year to talk about change. Changes in weather, changes in plants, the chemistry of autumn colors , and changes in animal behavior.

And yes, even changes in the children themselves.

About the Author

Maria Salvadore is Reading Rockets’ consultant for children’s literature and literacy. Maria curates our themed booklists and writes the blog, Page by Page, which explores the best ways to use kids’ books both inside and outside of the classroom. She leads parent workshops for Ready To Learn (RTL) at WETA Public Broadcasting in Washington, D.C. She has also taught children’s literature at the University of Maryland, reviewed books for School Library Journal, and has served on various book award committees, including the Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards, Golden Kite, and the Caldecott Committee.

Publication Date
September 19, 2007
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