You know that feeling you get as soon as the first rays of sunshine start breaking through the winter gloom? It’s that feeling of: I can’t sit at my desk anymore; I need to go outside RIGHT NOW! It’s cold and muddy and gross but somehow you don’t care. Spring is in the air. Animals and trees feel it too, and so do your littles! Introduce them to the changes of the season through reading.
Here is a list of our favorites. Go borrow them from the library, or get a copy of your own (click on the titles to go to Amazon), and then have a seat on your porch and read.
FOR THE LITTLE GUYS
You’re My Little Honey Bunny by Natalie Marshall
We first fell in love with these rhymes and Natalie Marshall’s illustrations in the fall, when we read You’re My Little Pumpkin Pie. This book is fresh and new with spring themes, but elicits the same loving feels.
Hop! Hop! by Leslie Patricelli
I absolutely love the way Leslie Patricelli uses simple sentences to deliver a very full message. On the brightly illustrated pages the youngest readers get a thorough overview of all Easter customs which await them in the upcoming weeks, from egg decorating to Easter egg hunts.
ALL ABOUT SPRING!
A Little Book About Spring by Julie Hamilton and Leo Leoni
This book opens with a warm “Hello Spring, I’m so glad to see you,” and continues in the same lovely tone. With each turn of the page, little ones can marvel at all the wonderful Spring changes, from budding trees to rainbows.
Little Blue Truck’s Springtime by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
I am not usually a fan of buying several books in a series, but I couldn’t resist this one. Little blue truck is going on another drive, this time visiting all the baby animals with their mamas. Little ones delight in opening the flaps and looking at all the babies that come in springtime.
When Spring Comes by Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek
You know that feeling of waiting for warm weather? It starts on the first sunny bright day of winter and ends… well… when it’s time to wait for summer. This bright, cheery book is all about the slow changes that come with the onset of spring.
And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano and Erin E. Stead
I recently saw a meme about the seasons in Pennsylvania. The season between winter and spring is the season of mud – SO TRUE and so gross. The weather gets a little warmer but it is still brown, brown, brown and muddy all around. This book is all about that in-between season of anticipation, when you can FEEL the world changing around you but you cannot quite see it, and all is brown, until suddenly it’s all green!
FOR THE YOUNG GARDENERS
The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle
From the whimsical mind of Eric Carle, one of favorite authors, comes the story of a seed not too big and not too small but just right. It makes the journey through different dangers that other seeds succumb to, only to land and grow to a magnificent destiny. A fun story examining the circle of seeds and plants, The Tiny Seed is lovingly worn and often requested in our house.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner and Christopher Silas Neal
A lovely read following a girl and her Nana, Up and Down is about the lifecycle of a garden and the contrast of the environment and actions going on both above and below ground. A wonderful primer on different things your little ones can look for as you go from prep, to planting, to caring and harvesting your own garden!
The Bad Seed by Jory John and Pete Oswald
A story that so many of us can relate to, this book tells of a small seed that had everything, then lost it all through tragedy – developing a mean outer shell. Through self-realization, the Bad Seed determines that a positive outlook is what can change his life – even if it’s just one small step at a time.
CHICKS AND BUNNIES AND EGGS, OH MY!
A Little Chicken by Tammi Sauer and Dan Taylor
This book speaks to the determination in all of us. Dot is a little chicken, both literally and figuratively. While worrying over all the bad things that can happen, when called to action she puts all of that aside and does what needs to be done. It’s still scary, but that’s ok. A message I try to instill in my own children through both example and wonderful books like this.
Yoga Bunny by Brian Russo
A heart-warming story of a bunny who loves Yoga, but finds other animals have no time to join him. Told in a way that lets your little ones learn the basics along with you, eventually Bunny finds himself surrounded by other animals who learn that maybe Yoga was exactly what they needed all along…
Chicks Rule by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Renee Kurilla
A little something for International Women’s Day – a whole book about all the wonderful things that chicks can do. Each page features an array of chicks, of all shapes and colors and walks of life, who are pursuing their dreams. A clever and inspiring book of rhyme for the next generation of strong women.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
This book is a classic at our house, absolutely beloved by all of our littles. It tells the story of a little girl who takes a trip to the laundromat with her dad, and loses her plush Knuffle Bunny. Kids love the excitement as Trixie tries to tell her daddy, without words, about the missing bunny, and as the whole family goes on the search for the beloved toy.
Too Many Carrots! by Katy Hudson
A fun look at a rabbit with a little too much love for his carrot collection! Soon after taking over all the space in his house, rabbit tries to move in with his friends only to find his carrots are much too much for their houses as well. All ends well as rabbit learns the value of sharing. Parents will easily see the parallel to our toddlers’ toys – but it’s probably a harder sell for the kids!!
The Good Egg by Jory John and Pete Oswald
The same author of The Bad Seed, John is back again with the story of a good egg surrounded by baddies. This story dives into the pressure we all put on ourselves for people and actions outside of our control. Eventually, the stress the Good Egg puts on himself causes him to start to crack, and only through self-care and putting time aside is he able to become whole once again. This book is probably a good read for kids trying their best to be good in a difficult situation – and helping them understand that things don’t need to be perfect to be ok.
AND SOMETHING FOR THE SOUL
I struggle with telling my youngest kids the story of Easter. Unlike the arrival of baby Jesus at Christmas, this one is a bit difficult for the smallest minds to understand. At the same time, I do not want them to think Easter is all about candy and bunnies. So, we like to keep the spirit of our faith in our reading. A few ideas:
A Very Happy Easter Prayer by Bonnie Rickner Jensen and Natalia Moore
Sometimes a subtle reminder of all the good things in life can be such a strong message of Easter renewal. Easily relatable for our youngest, this story gives thanks for all of God’s wonders from bees and birds, to trees and wind. Most of all, it reminds us of the power of forgiveness and love, and the wonders all around us each and every day.
The Bear and the Fern by Jay Miletsky and Mary Manning
A story you tell to children old enough to understand it, but too young to relate. A stuffed bear and a potted fern move into a new house, and come to life at night. Bear loves to play and explore, while Fern insists she’s a plant and cannot move. Months and years go by, and just before it’s too late, Fern realizes she’s almost missed it all without ever giving it a try. The bittersweet ending will bring a tear to your eye.
Uni the Unicorn: A Story About Believing by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Brigette Barrager
Little ones may not know quite grasp the existence of the divine, but they most certainly understand believing in unicorns. This is a story of a unicorn who was different than all other unicorns, because he believed that little girls were real, and he dreamed of one day being her friend, and all the magical wonderful things they would do together. Sometimes, believing in something that cannot be seen is the right way to go.
Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers
I’ve saved the best for last! Here We Are is a book for the smallest of our kind, helping them make sense of the world around them. Jeffers explains the most basic of things about our planet with a profound simplicity that leaves us all with wonder. Don’t think for a moment that this book is simple just because it takes on a simple subject – it will offer new questions and conversation each time you read it as your kids grow older – a must for every family.
What are you reading this spring? Let us know in the comments below. We would love to add new stories to our collection for this season.
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