cover image A Is for Autumn

A Is for Autumn

Robert Maass. Holt/Ottaviano, $16.99 (32p) ISBN 978-0-8050-9093-2

Vivid photography brings the autumn season to life in an alphabet book with thoughtful descriptions of nature, changing weather, and leisure activities. One colorful spread pairs images of frosted grass, leaves, and broken ice in a pond: "F is for Frost, when dew freezes and water turns to ice." In a scene of urban daily life, a family of three walks down a tree-lined block of brownstone buildings, while nods to special fall events include a picture of Halloween trick-or-treaters and a boy anticipating Thanksgiving dinner. Despite a not-so-seasonal "X" entry ("X is for train crossing"), Maass delivers a vibrant tribute to autumn. Ages 3%E2%80%936. (Aug.)