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The Last Leaf
  • Published: 21 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9781623546953
  • Imprint: Charlesbridge Children
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $45.00

The Last Leaf

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Balls to the head, missed goals, and loud parents—soccer is tough! A funny, heartwarming story about soccer, setbacks, and sticking with it.

Our hero wants to quit—but one stubborn leaf inspires her to hang in there in this funny, empowering picture book about perseverance and self-esteem.

A young soccer player is struggling during the fall season. Balls to the head! Loud parents! Missed shots! Sometimes she can’t wait to go home. But then she sees one last autumn leaf on a tree, just hanging in there. Can she do the same? 

Inspired by the leaf, the girl keeps practicing. Come spring, the leaf is still there—and so is she!

Gorgeous illustrations full of action and humor celebrate resilience and growth mindset. Author/illustrator David Biedrzycki coached his children’s soccer teams, so he knows how important it is for kids to hear this message of persistence. Just hang in there!
  • Published: 21 October 2026
  • ISBN: 9781623546953
  • Imprint: Charlesbridge Children
  • Format: Hardback
  • Pages: 40
  • RRP: $45.00
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About the author

David Biedrzycki

David Biedrzycki is the author and illustrator of the Breaking News series, the Ace Lacewing, Bug Detective series, and the Me and My Dragon series. He has been creating illustrations for book publishers, advertising agencies, magazines, and design firms since 1980. His art has graced the cover of KidSoft magazine, New England Aquarium billboards and children's software packaging, such as "The Amazon Trail" and "Odell Down Under." David has collaborated with children's author Jerry Pallotta on The Beetle Alphabet Book, The Boat Alphabet Book, and The Freshwater Alphabet Book. He grew up in Pennsylvania and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife and three children.
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Also by David Biedrzycki

ARTificial Intelligence
SumoPuppy
Invasion of the Unicorns
SumoKitty
Groundhog's Runaway Shadow
Breaking News: Bears to the Rescue
Breaking News: Alien Alert
See all

Praise for The Last Leaf

Praise for ARTificial Intelligence

  • "Young readers with unformed creative urges of their own will relate to Robot’s feeling of otherness. . . . A celebration of the artistic spirit, overlaid with wry topicality."—Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Invasion of the Unicorns
  • "Simply delightful."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review
  • "Succeeds on every level. . . . A treat for unicorn lovers in every galaxy."--BookPage

Praise for SumoPuppy
  • "The book’s graphic novel illustrations pop with silly, lovable pet expressions and hijinks in this zany tale about unexpected friendships."--Foreword, starred review

Praise for SumoKitty
  • Amazon Best Books of the Month: Ages 6-8
  • Junior Library Guild selection
  • "SumoKitty's antics delight."--Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Breaking News: Bears to the Rescue
  • "The gorgeous illustrations are of a quality that calls to mind big-budget 3-D-animated films. That means highly detailed backgrounds packed with visual jokes . . . [and] characters who are refreshingly diverse and keenly imagined.--Booklist

Praise for Breaking News: Bear Alert
  • "Biedrzycki delivers a genuine message with a light touch. . . . Fun and topical."--Kirkus Reviews