Spring is one of my favorite seasons (though I enjoy them all in their turn). I love the way the bare brown earth seems to magically come to life with wildflowers and lush green things everywhere. I adore the tiny, new leaves on the oaks, like a delicate green frost, as spring begins to awaken the earth.
In February the daffodils (planted nearly 100 years ago by my great-grandparents) and snowdrops always bloom first even if there is snow. When I was young and I loved wandering about my family’s acreage searching for the first blossoms of the year.
I remember fondly as a child falling asleep with my window open listening to the frogs in the pond singing their nightly duet with the crickets and awakening in the morning to songs from the birds recently returned from their southern pilgrimage.
And so I would like to offer 5 of our family’s favorite picture books that encourage us to anticipate and welcome spring.
The Curious Garden By Peter Brown
Young Liam lives in a dirty, depressing town with no greenery of any kind. A discovery one day leads to a remarkable change in Liam and the town. A story of cultivating beauty that demonstrates the power of how one person willing to step outside the box can make a positive change for many.
Rabbits and Raindrops by Jim Arnosky
A simply written but charmingly illustrated picture book about a mother rabbit and her curious babies experiencing springtime.
One Morning in Maine By Robert McCloskey
While it doesn’t specifically say what season in the book, the mention of the mother fish hawk feeding her baby fish hawk hints at spring. This is a delightful story about a family living on an island off the coast of Maine and young Sal’s first loose tooth. A timeless classic.
Where Butterflies Grow by Joan Ryder Illustrated by Lynne Cherry
Gorgeously illustrated by Lynne Cherry, this picture book follows the life-cycle of a butterfly with engaging text.
Spring Story by Jill Barklem
Jill Barklem’s exquisitely detailed drawings are always a favorite in our home. Spring Story is the charming tale of young Wilfred mouse on his birthday. He’s excited and somewhat annoying on his big day but the kindly mice of Brambly Hedge decide to throw a surprise picnic for him. He is in charge of carting a large and awkward basket to the picnic site and when he arrives hot and out-of-breath there is another surprise awaiting him.
- Welcoming Summer - June 28, 2023
- Welcoming Spring - March 22, 2023
- Christmas Picture Book Advent - December 1, 2021
Thank you for your reviews of these delightful books. Our family enjoyed Jim Arnosky, and Robert McCloskey books when our children were young. Now I want to share theirs and the new to me ones listed here.