"An enchanting modern fable about possessiveness redeemed by unselfish appreciation of life’s shared wonder."—Maria Popova, Brain Pickings "Hall’s understated writing reads like poetry, and Forsythe’s graphic, even geometric, paintings have the feel of animation stills."—STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly "The animals in Kirsten Hall’s picture book The Gold Leaf occupy a forest of shadows and dappled light, of 'jungle green, laurel green, moss green, mint green, pine green, avocado green, and, of course, sap green.' In Matthew Forsythe’s breathtaking illustrations, we see creatures respond with wonder and cupidity as autumn’s arrival reveals a single, gleaming gold leaf. 'Each wanted it more than anything in the world,' we read of a fox, deer, mouse and others. 'But who would get it first?' Though competition tears the leaf to fragments, this is not a fable of greed but of gratitude, with rich, mystical illustrations that will stir the young reader’s heart."—Meghan Cox Gurdon, The Wall Street Journal "At first glance The Gold Leaf by Kirsten Hall might be a classic picture book from the 1940s – a rediscovered Margaret Wise Brown. Montreal artist Matthew Forsythe’s paintings, with their mid-century modern shapes, could almost be by Leonard Weisgard. The thick black sans-serif type marching reliably across the bottom of each spread even has an echo of Little Golden Books. The theme, as well, feels comforting and retro, showing forest animals through the changing of four seasons."—Quill and Quire "A book about wonder, patience and sharing, this picture book is particularly golden."—Waking Brain Cells "The Gold Leaf is an unreservedly and enthusiastically recommended addition to family, preschool, elementary school, and community library collections."—The Midwest Book Review