Fletcher and the Falling Leaves - Julia Rawlinson - Fall Read Alouds - Bedtime Stories for Kids
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, by Julia Rawlinson, is a sweet kid's book read aloud for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school ages (and adults still young at heart), for the Fall/Autumn season.
Parents and teachers, join me here at The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for daily read alouds in the classroom, at bedtime, or anytime!
Follow The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for a classic children's library.
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Parents and teachers, join me here at The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for daily read alouds in the classroom, at bedtime, or anytime!
Follow The Children's Storytime Bookshelf for a classic children's library.
#kidsbooksreadaloud #readaloud #readaloudbooksforchildren
Transcript
00:00FLETCHER AND THE FALLING LEAVES
00:29By Julia Rawlinson
00:31Pictures by Tiffany Beek
00:36The world was changing.
00:38Each morning, when Fletcher bounded out of the den, everything seemed just a little bit
00:43different.
00:44The rich green of the forest was turning into a dusty gold, and the soft, swishing sound
00:50of summer was fading to a crinkly whisper.
00:54Fletcher's favorite tree looked dull, dry, and brown.
00:59Fletcher was beginning to get worried.
01:02I think my tree is sick, said Fletcher.
01:08What's wrong with it? his mother asked.
01:11Its leaves are turning brown, said Fletcher.
01:15Don't worry.
01:16It's only autumn, she said.
01:19Fletcher ran back to his tree and patted the rough bark.
01:23Don't worry.
01:24It's only autumn, he said.
01:25You'll feel better soon.
01:31But the tree didn't get better.
01:33Each day, more leaves turned brown.
01:37One morning, the wind blew a small brown leaf off of a branch.
01:41Fletcher jumped up and caught it very gently in his paw.
01:49Don't worry, tree.
01:50I've got your leaf.
01:51I'll fix you.
01:53Fletcher looked around, picked a piece of grass, and carefully tied the leaf to a branch.
02:03Just then, another gust of wind ruffled Fletcher's fur.
02:07The little leaf shook itself free and fluttered back to the ground.
02:11Fletcher picked it up again and thought very hard.
02:14Then he poked the leaf into a twig and pushed it down firmly.
02:19Now you hold on tight, said Fletcher.
02:21No more flying around.
02:23The little leaf gave a tiny rustle in reply.
02:30The next day, a strong wind was blowing through the forest.
02:35Fletcher rushed out of the den and ran all the way to his tree.
02:39Lots of branches were bare, and little lost leaves spun everywhere.
02:44Don't worry, tree.
02:45I'll catch them for you.
02:47I promise.
02:49And round and round whirled Fletcher after the swirling leaves.
02:55Leaves, wonderful!
02:59Just what I need for my nest, said a squirrel.
03:03But these belong to tree, said Fletcher.
03:06Don't take them away.
03:08The tree doesn't need them anymore, said the squirrel, bounding off.
03:12Help!
03:13Help!
03:14The wind and the squirrel are stealing our leaves, cried Fletcher.
03:20Leaves, terrific!
03:25Just what I need to keep warm, said a porcupine rolling around.
03:29But these belong to the tree, said Fletcher, plucking leaves from the porcupine's needles.
03:35Not anymore, snuffled the porcupine, and away he rolled.
03:39Help!
03:40Help!
03:41The wind, the squirrel, and the porcupine are stealing our leaves, cried Fletcher.
03:51Suddenly a flock of friendly birds swooped down from the sky.
03:55They picked up the leaves in their beaks and poked them onto the tree's branches.
03:59Soon the tree was leafy again, and Fletcher flopped down and smiled.
04:04Thank you, birds!
04:05Thank you, he gasped as the birds fluttered away.
04:09He lay looking up through the leaves at the sky and drifted off to sleep.
04:17But the wind continued to blow, and the branches still danced.
04:22The leaves shivered and shook themselves and began to wiggle free.
04:27They tossed and turned and twitched and twirled and tumbled to the ground.
04:32They brushed Fletcher's ears and nose and filled his dreams with a whispering sound.
04:42When Fletcher finally woke up, he couldn't believe his eyes.
04:47Instead of a roof of dancing leaves, all he could see were bare branches against the sky.
04:53Oh, tree, I am so sorry, gulped Fletcher.
04:58All your leaves are gone!
05:01But then he saw high in the branches one small leaf still holding on.
05:07I won't let the wind steal that one, said Fletcher, and he began to climb.
05:12He crawled along to the last leaf and held it firmly onto its branch.
05:19All day long the wind blew, the branch bounced, and Fletcher held tight.
05:24I'll stay with you, leaf, he said, don't worry.
05:31But then, with a sudden whoosh of wind, the branch bounced high.
05:36With a plip, the leaf let go and fluttered like a little flag clutched in Fletcher's paw.
05:46Fletcher looked sadly at the leaf he had promised to save.
05:50He carried it carefully down the tree and back to the den.
05:54He made a cozy little bed for it and gently tucked it in.
05:58But all night long he could only think of his tree, all on its own.
06:06At dawn, Fletcher tiptoed outside.
06:09The wind had finally stopped blowing and the air was cold.
06:13The moon still hung in the clear sky and pale stars glimmered.
06:18As he came to his favorite tree, Fletcher saw a magical sight.
06:26The tree was hung with a thousand icicles, shining silver in the early light.
06:33You are more beautiful than ever, whispered Fletcher, but are you all right?
06:39A tiny breeze shivered the branches, making a sound like laughter, and in the light of
06:44the rising sun, the sparkling branches nodded.
06:48Fletcher gave his tree a hug, then he went back to the den for a nice warm breakfast.