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ABC's 

of 

Autumn's Leaves

Author Alison Dujovic

Illustrators Mrs. Armas's Kindergarten Class

Co-Illustrator Alison Dujovic

During autumn the days grow shorter, the nights grow 

longer, and the weather gets colder. Trees notice this 

change and begin changing the colors of their leaves to 

get ready for winter. 

Aa

Once trees notice the change in seasons they begin 

forming a separation layer at the bottom of the leaf. This 

layer blocks the movement of food from leaves to the 

tree. 

Bb

Chlorophyll (klohr -uh-fil) is what makes leaves green and 

helps make food for the trees. During autumn, there is 

not enough sunlight and the leaves slowly stop making 

food.  

Cc

As the leaves stop making food, the trees go to 

sleep to survive the cold winter. This is called 

dormancy and it is very similar to animals 

hibernating.  

Dd

Ee

Evergreens are a type of tree that do not change colors.    

Their pine needles are covered with a waxy coat, called 

cutin, that protects the tree during winter.    

Ff

Fluids made of sugar are trapped in the leaves and 

cannot move to the tree. These trapped sugars cause 

the leaves to change a bright red color. 

Gg

The name of the sugar found in leaves is called glucose. 

This sugar is food for trees but during autumn the leaves 

stop making glucose. 

Hh

Phytochrome is found in trees. This lets trees know 

when the days are becoming shorter and also helps trees 

with growing, dormancy, and making new seeds. 

Ii

Sometimes it does not have to be autumn for leaves to 

change colors. Certain insects eat leaves which cause the 

leaves to turn orange, yellow, or brown.  

Jj

June 21st is the longest day of the year. However, 

after June 21st the days begin to grow shorter and 

there is less sunlight for trees. 

Kk

Shagbark Hickory trees are trees that make nuts.  

During autumn, Shagbark Hickory trees turn a golden 

yellow color before losing their leaves.  

Ll

When a leaf falls it leaves an open area that could 

harm the tree. A bump, called a leaf scar, grows over 

the open area to protect the tree. 

Mm

Red Maple trees can be found across the eastern side 

of the United States of America. During autumn, the 

leaves turn a bright red color. 

Nn

Once the tree has taken all the nutrients from the 

leaves, the tree no longer needs the leaves. The 

leaves will fall off the tree until there are no leaves 

left.

Oo

Carotene ('kar-uh-teen)is what makes some leaves 

turn an orange color. Carrots, pumpkins, and sweet 

potatoes also get their orange color because they have 

carotene.    

Pp

Photosynthesis is when leaves use sunlight to make 

food. During autumn, there is not enough sunlight, 

so the leaves stop making food.   

Qu

After the autumnal equinox, the Earth tilts away 

from the sun. This causes trees to not receive 

enough sunlight to make food. 

Rr

Roots are big storage centers for trees. During 

autumn, the roots store food for the tree in winter.

Ss

Sassafras tree are different. Many trees only turn 

one color during autumn but the Sassafras turns 

yellow, orange, red and brown. 

Tt

Tannins are the brown colors found in leaves. This 

color forms because there is waste left in the leaves 

and they are dead. 

Uu

When leaves fall on the ground they make a humus 

layer. This layer gives food to the tree and helps keep 

the ground wet during winter. 

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