The First Red Maple Leaf

by Ludmila Zeman

In an ancient time when Winter reigned and ice and darkness covered the land, a young boy’s heroic and unselfish act helps his people find the shelter of southern trees. But Winter isn’t finished yet and shakes the leaves from the trees. To show his gratitude to the trees, the boy uses all his strength and perseverance to help bring back the leaves. This wonderful tale gives hope that, even though Winter can never be vanquished, there is promise of the coming Spring.

Genres: Childrens, Picture Books

24 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 1997

About the author

Ludmila Zeman - Filmmaker, illustrator, animator, and writer. Born 1947, in Gottwaldov, Czechoslovakia (now Zlín, Czech Republic); immigrated to Canada, 1984; became Canadian citizen, 1988.

Ludmila Zeman built puppets and painted backgrounds for Karel Zeman's films, including Mr. Prokouk the Acrobat; sold first animated short film to Czech TV at age nineteen; created films for Sesame Street and the National Film Board of Canada. Emily Carr College of Art, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, instructor.

Certificate of Merit, Art Directors Club, and Pick of the List selection, American Booksellers Association, both 1992, and Black-Eyed Susan Picture Book selection, State of Maryland, 1995-96, all for Gilgamesh the King; Gilgamesh the King and The Revenge of Ishtar were both selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, 1994; Governor General's Award for Illustration, Canada Council, 1995, for The Last Quest of Gilgamesh.

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story created as a legend about how the red maple leaf became significant to represent Canada as a place of safety and shelter. Lovely illustrations.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and beautifully illustrated. I wish I had it in hardcover.

[Whole And · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully moving and creative story about how the maple leaf came to be.
The book is quite meaningfully when you read the author's story of immigrating to Canada and finding protection in the maple leaf. The story was sparked out of a question the author's child asked and Ludmila Zedman created this adventurous tale to answer the question.

Extraordinary imagination and rich imagery.
A lovely way to bring a deeper appreciation for our dear maple leafs and what this great country offers us.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

This "invented folk tale" (I think they are called something of the sort) did not feel very authentic, but I did like the illustrations, especially the decorative borders.

Also, this is the first book I can think of off-hand that I've come across that that expresses patriotism towards Canada, which I guess is nice.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pictures are kind of lackluster - a disappointment for fans of Zeman's incredible Sindbad and Gilgamesh books.