Winner of the 2018 Bull-Bransom AwardSelected for The Globe 100: The Globe and Mail's Best 100 Books of the Year 2017One of the "12 Picture Book Recommendations for the Young Ones in Your Life" from Orion Magazine"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."
The Wall Street Journal

STARRED REVIEW! ? "Hall’s understated writing reads like poetry, and Forsythe’s graphic, even geometric, paintings have the feel of animation stills."
Publishers Weekly

“Rich mixed-media illustrations layer color and texture, creating a quiet, glowing atmosphere. The titular gold leaf shines in its embossed glory. The simple, unassuming text adds to the magic of the forest. […] A beautifully illustrated selection for classroom or one-on-one sharing.”
School Library 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