Fletcher and the Falling Leaves

My kids are terrific readers. They always have been. I attribute that to my brilliant wife's genes, but also to the fact that I read to them, all the time. We had our favorites. Gator Gumbo and Who Invited You? by Candace Fleming. 47 Beavers On the Big, Blue Sea by Phil Vischer. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. But perhaps the most moving was Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, written by Julia Rawlinson and illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.

It's a cute story about a young fox who notices his tree friend is looking dark and dry and brown as the season moves toward Autumn. And suddenly the tree's leaves start falling off! Fletcher is very concerned, and despite his mother's assurances that it's perfectly normal, he tries everything he can to help the tree keep its leaves. It's a losing battle, and the fox is adorably despondent. I won't spoil the ending but it gave me goosebumps to read the last page. Every. Time. And my kids' eyes would light up, which might have helped with the goosebumps. 

My kids are too old to read cute stories to, anymore, and I mourn that. But I'm also joyful about the young men they're becoming. And I have those memories. Memories of the boys snuggling in beside me as I'd read. Memories of them mouthing the words along with me. Memories of them leaning in as my voice would move to a whisper at a key point in the story. I treasure those. 

So why in the world am I telling you this? Because we just launched our latest limited edition scent, Amber and Falling Leaves. So spritz the pits, and grab the kids, and cuddle up with this terrific story. 

Scott lives in the foothills of Colorado with his wife and two sons, who are too old to be read to, alas. Autumn is his favorite time of year, so bring on the falling leaves!