Spring A to Z of Spring    Tracy Nelson Maurer    A stimulating book for young readers, this book uses a combination of the alphabet, the seasons and verbs to reinforce classroom reading programs. With vibrant photographs to illustrate each verb, readers will experience Spring along the way and have fun too. From A to Z, the book helps readers to learn simple verbs associated with the spring season. Many people spend this season cleaning their yards and homes before the cold winter comes. Clean, nap, play and vacuum are just some examples of the verbs from spring you may experience through this book. As part of the "A to Z" series, the book is a great addition to the classroom for helping students with school literacy requirements, along with the other books of this series that emphasize nouns. 2003, Rourke Publishing, $26.60. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur (Children's Literature) ISBN: 1-5895-2197-8 April Robyn Brode     As with the other books in the "Months of the Year" series, Brode introduces young readers to some of the characteristics, events and activities in the month of April. First readers learn that it is the fourth month of the year and that it has 30 days. Since April is part of the spring months, some of its typical characteristics such as a warm rain, blossoming flowers and plants are featured in the full-color pictures. In Washington, D. C. it is usually the month when the cherry blossom festival takes place and the mounds of soft pink flowers surround the tidal basin. If you are sports minded, baseball season starts in April, and the other event that starts during the month is April Fool's Day when some people play tricks or tell stories. Easter and Passover often occur in this month as does a break in the school year. The month of April is followed by May. A calendar showing the months of the year and the seasons wraps up the text. Some of the pages have rhetorical questions, which take away from the book rather than making it interactive. 2003, Weekly Reader, Ages 4 to 7, $18.60. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-8368-3579-4 April Fools! Else Holmelund Minarik Illustrated by Chris Haner    It is April Fools' Day and the perfect time to play a trick, but Little Bear just can't think of what to do. He wants to play a trick on his mother but is stymied. When he heads outside and sees Duck he figures that she is a good candidate for a trick but once again he couldn't think of one. Together they contemplated and when Hen cam up, they though they had the perfect victim. Turns out Hen that she was warning them to watch out for those who might decide to play a trick. They all end up heading back to Little Bear's House and lo and behold, it is mother who finally succeeds in playing a trick for April Fools' Day. It is a simple story but it does get across the point that there are mean tricks and fun tricks--and sometimes you just can't think of one, so don't worry about it. 2003, HarperFestival, Ages 2 to 4, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-694-01694-2 Arbor Day Jason Cooper    Cooper helps young readers understand the history, purpose and observance of Arbor Day, which is celebrated in the U.S. and in Canada, although the actual date varies. The word arbor comes from Latin and it means tree. As the text points out, April is generally a good month to plant trees. In the northern states, however, Arbor Day is celebrated in May and some of the southern states celebrate as early as January. The book points out that our Earth is fragile and if we don't take care of it, it will not be a good place for plants, animals or people. Tree are very import to the ecosystem, they provide cooling shade, help remove pollutants from the air, provide homes for animals and food, and their roots keep the soil in place. When Julius Sterling Morton moved to the open prairies of Nebraska, he felt that they could benefit from having some trees so he and his neighbors planted some. When he became involved at the state level, he suggested a special day to plant trees and the idea took root. Now it is a day that encourages both the planting of trees and an understanding of their role in protecting the environment. Bolded words in the text are defined in the glossary. At the end of the text there is also an index and references to a couple of related books and Internet sites as well a very brief blurb about the author. Part of the "Holidays and Celebrations" series. 2003, Rourke, Ages 4 to 7, $19.27. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 1-58952-217-6 Babar and the Runaway Egg    Laurent de Brunhoff    Babar and his children are enjoying a lovely spring day when they spot a bird on its nest. Babar comments that she is keeping her eggs warm and they could hatch soon. At that moment, Isabelle notices that legs have emerged from one of the eggs and the egg is running away. The mother bird and the elephants run after the egg, but those little legs are fast! The chase continues up hill and down dale and past the art museum. The egg runs past the playground and the palace without slowing down. Finally it comes to a stop. They hear a tapping sound and then a craaack. Then the baby bird jumps out. He hops to his mother and she takes him back to the nest. The elephant children agree that spring is a season of adventures. Judith Gray's adaptation of de Brunhoff's illustrations retains the joy and integrity of the originals. 2004, Harry N. Abrams, Ages 3 to 6, $9.95. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer ISBN: 0-8109-4838-9 Bear Wants More Karma Wilson Illustrated by Jane Chapman    In this delightful follow up to Bear Snores On it is spring and "When springtime comes/in his warm winter den/a bear wakes up/very hungry and thin!" To try to satisfy his hunger, he eats the grass outside his den, "but the bear wants more!" Friends--mouse, rabbit and badger lead him to feasts of berries, clover and fish but still, "bear wants more!" His nose leads him back to his home, where other friends have cooked up a springtime celebration for their recently awakened friend. However, when bear goes to join the party he finds he is now to big for the cave's entrance and becomes, "stuck, stuck, stuck!" Chapman's brightly colored illustrations portray friendly and approachable animals that still retain their identities as wild animals. Elementary teachers will find this very useful in both bear and hibernation units and story-time children will ask for it again and again. 2003, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Sharon Oliver ISBN: 0-689-84509-X Countdown to Spring: An Animal Counting Book Janet Schulman Illustrated by Meilo So    The creatures to be counted, beginning with ten ladybugs, range through butterflies, birds, chicks and ducklings through mice, bunnies, squirrels and foxes down to one Easter basket "filled with treats for all the animals." The spare text has the ducks "noisily quack, quack, quacking" and the squirrels "scurrying up and down the tree," all amid the colorful blooms of springtime. Meilo So's light-hearted, spontaneous watercolors are appropriately seasonal. Her fresh tints later intensify, while lots of white space suggests the special quality of light in the spring. The counting is reinforced at the end, but the text seems almost superfluous, dominated by the sensual images. 2002, Alfred A. Knopf, $9.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-375-81364-0 Earth Day Jason Cooper    Cooper helps young readers understand the history, purpose and observance of Earth Day, which is celebrated in more than150 countries. Our Earth is fragile and if we don't take care of it, it will not be a good place for plants, animals or people. Senator Gaylord Nelson, who was very much concerned about the lack of control regarding the environment and the problems caused by pollution and other toxic agents, started the holiday. It began in 1970 and has grown to become a day when people stop, look, clean up, plant and celebrate this beautiful planet. His efforts along with those of others helped to get laws passed to protect the environment and endangered species. Bolded words in the text are defined in the glossary. At the end of the text there is also an index and references to a couple of related books and Internet sites as well a very brief blurb about the author. Part of the "Holidays and Celebrations" series. 2003, Rourke, Ages 4 to 7, $19.27. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 1-58952-218-4 Hello, Spring    Alison Inches Illustrated by Ian Chernichaw    Blue does not seem at all upset to saying goodbye to winter. No more snow, ice, sled, boots, mittens and hat. It is time to go outside and enjoy warm sunny days and watch animals, smell the flowers and play on the swings and slide at the park. Kids get to fly kites, ride bikes and really take pleasure in the great outdoors. In addition to the birds and flowers, spring also brings that great American pastime baseball. The colorful collage illustrations are full of the things kids enjoy doing. Join Blue and her friends as they welcome spring. The text is easy, familiar and full of repetition since this is a Pre-Level 1 book in the "Ready-To-Read" series. 2004, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 3 to 5, $6.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-689-86316-0 Home For a Bunny Margaret Wise Brown Illustrations by Garth Williams    In this large version of a perennial Golden Book favorite, a fuzzy brown and white rabbit is looking for a place to live. The woodland creatures are heralding the coming of spring. The frog is rejoicing in the pond, the groundhog in the newly green grass, and the robin at her nest. Leaves, flowers, and baby robins are all bursting out. As the bunny searches for a home, he asks each one where it lives, but none of the places suits him. The robin's nest is too high, and he could fall. The frog's bog is too wet, and he could drown. The groundhog is not even willing to share his log house. The bunny keeps hopping down the road until he meets a fluffy white bunny whose home is down under the ground. The brown bunny asks if he may move in, too, and the white bunny agrees. A basic vocabulary and lots of repetition make this a good beginning reader. Double page spreads show winsome, realistic animals and birds in lush, colorful spring settings of wildflowers, springing greenery, and butterflies. This book is part of the "Big Little Golden Books" series. 2003 (orig. 1956), Random House, Ages 3 to 7, $8.99. Reviewer: Patricia Dole ISBN: 0-307-10546-6 It's Spring! Samantha Berger and Pamela Chanko Illustrated by Melissa Sweet    This charming board book is a reissue of the picture book of 2000. The little bunny jumping for joy with a flower in its paws sets the stage. He is springing in the air because it is springtime. The story is simple. First the robin sings and we know that is a harbinger of spring. The rabbit with flower in hand scampers off to tell the deer and together they tell the duck the good news. Spring means that the sky is sunny. The ducks have their turn and they head out to tell the cow that the leaves have sprouted, and so it goes as each animal brings to the child reader's attention the various signs of spring. The rhyming text and delightful watercolor illustration make this a very attractive board book. It will certainly be one that kids will enjoy having read to them a few times until they too start chiming in with the story. 2003, Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $5.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-439-44238-9 It's Spring! Linda Glaser Illustrations by Susan Swan    When spring finally pushes out the last traces of winter each year, there is a renewed energy that can be seen everywhere around us. This book is the observations of a young boy as he frolics outdoors on a beautiful spring day. His first revelation: no more heavy clothes! Thin pants and short sleeves give a feeling of lightness that mirrors the lightness of spirit. He follows the streams that swell with melted snow, and then plays in the puddles that collect after a spring storm. He finds tiny leaf buds and gently peels away their layers to see the tiny leaves inside. Sprouts are coming up all over the place since the ground is warm now, and birds offer their serenades as they build their nests. The hibernators wake up and come out from their winter homes. Gardens are carefully planted. Best of all, the days get longer and the sunset comes very slowly in the late evening so that little ones can stay up to see the stars beginning to twinkle in the sky and hear the night songs of the frogs and crickets. A section at the end of the book offers a wide variety of activities for children to do on their own. There are projects to make and suggestions for observations of spring events. The text is lyrical and rhythmic; it echoes the lightheartedness of spring. The illustrations are striking cut-paper creations that have amazing dimensionality. The papers were layered so that shadows are evident, and some were curled and fringed, both of which are techniques for giving depth to the images. There is a feeling of movement present in all of the illustrations that will engage young readers. 2002, The Millbrook Press, $7.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carol Lynch ISBN: 0-7613-1345-1 March Ellen Jackson Illustrated by Kay Life    The first offering in what has to be a twelve book series is a charmer. It is full of interesting facts, lore and trivia about the month of March--that month that bridges winter and spring. The characteristics, such as days that can be warm while others may freeze and winds may blow, lend credence to old sayings such as if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. The March birthstone is the aquamarine and its flower is the daffodil. For many centuries March marked the beginning of the year but that changed when Pope Gregory XIII introduced a new calendar and made January the beginning of the new year. This delightful blend of fact and fiction will intrigue readers, provide great fodder for teachers and librarians and make an excellent gift for any child born in the month of March. 2002, Charlesbridge, $8.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-8810-6905-1 Spring Terri DeGezelle    What is spring? Learn about the impact of the season in concise form. "Temperatures outdoors start to rise in spring. The air begins to warm. Warm winds start to blow. The winds help melt snow and ice. People and animals enjoy the warm sunshine." As part of the "Seasons" series, this book like the others tells about people, animals, water, temperatures, and vegetation during one of the four changes in the year. The reason for these seasonal changes is described and the difference in the two hemispheres is illustrated. Crisp color photographs enhance the text and inserts highlight "fun facts." Key vocabulary is explained as footnotes and in the glossary. An index, Web sites, and additional sources are also included. A hands-on project for growing beans is given. Degezelle's books would be helpful to introduce each new season to young children. 2003, Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press, $18.60. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Laura Hummel ISBN: 0-7368-1410-8 Spring Tracy Nelson Maurer    A stimulating book for young readers, this book uses a combination of the alphabet, the seasons and verbs to reinforce classroom reading programs. With vibrant photographs to illustrate each verb, readers will experience Spring along the way and have fun too. From A to Z, the book helps readers to learn simple verbs associated with the spring season. Many people spend this season cleaning their yards and homes before the cold winter comes. Clean, nap, play and vacuum are just some examples of the verbs from spring you may experience through this book. As part of the "A to Z" series, the book is a great addition to the classroom for helping students with school literacy requirements, along with the other books of this series that emphasize nouns. 2003, Rourke Publishing, $26.60. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur ISBN: 1-5895-2197-8 Spring Tanya Thayer    Short sentences that caption full-color photographs describe the nature scenes and various indoor and outdoor activities of the season. A rainbow on a mountain, children planting seeds, a field full of tulips, and a close-up of a tree bud are four of the sixteen pictures included. The last picture leads into the next season. The vocabulary is fairly simple, making this a good book for emergent readers. The meanings of the more difficult words can be ascertained from the photographs. Multicultural children are pictured. Part of the "First Step Nonfiction" series, this can also be used with preschool children as an introduction to a discussion about the seasons. The explanation of what makes spring reads the same as that for the fall. A glossary, an index, and some facts about spring are included. 2002, Lerner Publications, $15.93 and $3.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-8225-1986-0 Spring: Signs of the Season Around North America Valerie J. Gerard Illustrated by Eric Thomas    How spring is experienced in various areas of North America is presented in a kid-friendly, picture book format. The bright, crisp illustrations make this an attractive book for young readers. Noting that spring is not the same throughout North American, the author poses the question: "What happens in spring where you live?" The differences in the onset of spring for those living in the desert, the Appalachian Mountains, the coast of California, the Midwest, New England, or Canada and Alaska are clearly shown and fun facts dot the pages. An activity appears in the back of the book. Students are urged to be nature detectives and roll over a rock or a log and watch the busy life of the insects and then look for earthworms and bugs in the grass and, finally, watch birds gathering material for their nests. A listing of websites and books for more information is also included. An addition to the "Through the Seasons" series. 2003, Picture Window Books, Ages 5 to 7, $21.26. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford ISBN: 1-4048-0002-6 The Spring Equinox: Celebrating the Greening of the Earth Ellen Jackson Illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis    Ellis's beautiful illustrations are the hallmark of this charming picture book that explains the spring equinox to the curious child. Choosing a multicultural approach to her discussion of various rites of spring, Jackson details a number of springtime traditions used by cultures around the world and throughout time. Culminating in a story that provides the possible origins of the naming and reason behind Easter, the book actually ends with five activities that correspond to several of the cultural traditions written about earlier. For example, for those children preparing for Easter, a game from Bulgaria as well as a recipe for tissue-paper eggs is provided. For those awaiting Passover, a matzo recipe is offered. To encourage students to celebrate the Iranian tradition of No Ruz, details are provided concerning the necessary seven foods that begin with the letter "S." Ultimately, this is a lovely book for all manner of educators to use to herald the beginning of spring. 2002, The Millbrook Press, $22.90 and $14.95. Ages 5 to 12. Reviewer: Jean Boreen ISBN: 0-7613-1955-7 Spring Has Sprung Jennifer Waters    The attractive and informative books in the "Spyglass Books" series that focuses on life science, earth science, and physical science follow a similar format. They open with a table of contents page and then move right into the subject. Each chapter or section features a heading in large type; words that are defined in the glossary are printed in bold. The text consists of mostly declarative sentences. For example, "Spring is when farmers plant most of their new crops" The photographs are all labeled and appropriate to the content. The text is simple, since these books are aimed at readers in grades 1 and 2. At the end of the text there is a list of suggested activities. In this book, kids are asked to hang a bird feeder, fly a kite and a variety of other fun things. In the Did You Know section readers will find out that there are more rainbows in the spring than at other times of the year. The bolded words are defined; there is a resource list with a few references, which are reasonably current; a reference to a web site followed by an index and brief introduction to the author. 2002, Compass Point Books, $18.60. Ages 5 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-7565-0243-8 Spring Is Here: A Barnyard Counting Book    Pamela Jane Illustrated by Melissa Sweet    Inside and outside the farmhouse "spring is here." One winking cat sits on the windowsill and looks out over a springtime scene. Outside, there are two crickets chirping, three snug bunnies, four croaking frogs, etc. up to ten birds outside Maggie's bedroom window. The pop-ups are clever (providing a look at the spider webs in the cellar) and fun (puppies rolling and tumbling in the hay). Part of the "Preschool pop-ups" series, this will appeal to young children who require a brief text. The animals are seen in their natural environment on and around the farm. The moving parts of the pages will require a gentle touch from preschoolers. Inquisitive children may want to go outside in search of crickets, frogs and spiders. 2004, Little Simon/ Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 5, $7.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo ISBN: 0-689-85388-2 Sugar on Snow Nan Parson Rossiter    In troubled times a book about a traditional rural activity, especially one with such a sweet outcome, is calming and reassuring. Two young brothers on a Vermont farm help their parents with the sugaring-off process in early spring when snow is still heavy on the ground. The boys learn to steer the tractor, lift buckets of maple sap and empty them into a tank, then rehang the pails from their spouts on the trees. Best of all is pouring the boiled-down syrup into bowls of snow and enjoying the gooey result with fresh doughnuts and sour pickles. The illustrations are equally satisfying, contrasting the whiteness of the snow with the blues of sky and shadows and browns as warm as maple syrup. Opposite each full-page picture is a page of text accented with a small rectangle showing a bird or other creature that inhabits the maple grove. While the story describes the steps in the traditional method of syrup making, an afterword relates the legend of the discovery of the maple sap's sweetness by a Native American woman, as well as explaining the modern use of plastic tubing in the sugaring-off process. This picture book would make an inviting introduction to a field trip for students who live in the northeastern part of our country or, for those who don't, it's a story to be savored along with a taste of maple syrup or maple sugar. 2002, Dutton, Ages 6 to 9, $15.99. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft ISBN: 0-525-46910-9 Wake Up, It's Spring!    Lisa Campbell Ernst    It is spring and the snow is melting and the sun is shining and the earthworm is moving in the earth and then the seed is also ready to wake up. It is sprouting and the ladybug is spreading its wings because it is spring. The rabbit is wakened by the ladybug who claims its spring and the rabbit with one eye opened looks a bit askance but after twitching his nose "to smell the Spring air. He thumped to the bird up in her nest." The red cardinal in turn woke the tawny striped cat who nudged the dog who in turn spread the word to the baby in her crib. The little one shared the good news with her brother and sister and before you could blink an eye, they roused their parents and everyone went outside "And they all ran to dance together in the sun….because it was SPRING!" A delightful celebration of this time of rebirth, but an author/artist who creates illustrations full of joy and fun that will surly appeal to young kids. 2004, HarperCollins, Ages 3 to 8, $15.99 and 16.89. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot ISBN: 0-06-008985-7 ISBN: 0-06-008986-5 Welcome, Brown Bird    Mary Lyn Ray Illustrated by Peter Sylvada    A small bird, a wood thrush, connects two boys by its migration. Near some hemlock woods in the spring, one boy listens for the sound of the returning thrush. He persuades his father not to clear the trees, but to keep them for the bird, because they enjoy its "silvery circular song." When autumn arrives, another boy living in a forest far away awaits the return of the song of la flauta, of the bird who sings the song of a clay flute. He also keeps his father from cutting down the trees where the bird lives. When the time comes for it to leave, the bird flies for twenty-eight days. Spring is arriving; the other boy is awaiting the bird's return. "Only the bird knew they were brothers." The simple, lyrical tale is followed by discussing both the mystery of bird migration and the necessity of preserving the places where the birds live. The thrush is particularly endangered. Oil paintings in shades of brown and yellow, thrush colors, are like visual tone poems, filling the large pages with fuzzy images of the local environments, the people, and of course the bird in flight. 2004, Harcourt Children's Books, Ages 3 to 7, $16.00. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz ISBN: 0-15-292863-4 When the Root Children Wake Up Retold by Audrey Wood Paintings by Ned Bittinger    An enchanting German tale of the seasonal cycle gains new life in this modern retelling with accompanying oil artwork. Spring is approaching, and the root children awake from their winter slumber. They set to work sewing blossoms and painting dragonflies and emerge from their underground resting place to spread warmth and beauty. Time passes and the children's attention turns to the revelry of summer, then to the contemplation of autumn and, finally, the chill hint of winter returns. It is time for the root children to return to their beds. Wood's creative story is a reassuring account of nature's cycles of birth, growth, slowing down, and stopping. The presence of Grandfather Winter at beginning and end will comfort readers with the knowledge that the root children are sure to emerge again. This exquisitely drawn bedtime story includes a brief lullaby at its end. 2002, Scholastic, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green ISBN: 0-590-42517-X ISBN: 0-590-42518-8 Word Bird's Spring Words Jane Belk Moncure Illustrated by Chris McEwan    The books in the "Word Bird" series have been updated to reflect current social, cultural and educational changes but they are still the same flat stories with cartoonish, blandly colored, and Fifties-style artwork. This entry features selected words that one might use thinking about the seasons and the words are presented once again with picture reinforcement in a double-page spread at the end. At the very least, new readers will have some satisfaction with success in decoding the simplified text but the rewards in terms of meaning are slim. Better to invest in the leveled easy readers that make children glad they tried than to give shelf space to these marginal additions to the reading teacher's arsenal. 2002, The Child's World, $21.36. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Susan Hepler ISBN: 1-5676-6896-8 To stay up to date on new books by these authors, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 2/29/04