We’re ready for some warmer weather, spring flowers and walks outside.
But where could we find picture books about Spring- there didn’t seem that many in this part of the world.
Success! after some searching, here are our picks.
We’ll add rhymes and more ideas for spring in our next post. Our wonderful Australian author Elizabeth Honey has a book about Tom and Mr Yilmaz next door-
That’s not a daffodil! by Elizabeth Honey,Allen and Unwin.
Commended, CBCA Book of the Year Award – Early Childhood, 2012. Short-listed, Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award for Young Children, 2012
Read a review from Kids Book Review here
This would be a great book to read before planting some bulbs or seeds and waiting for them to come up.
Another book, (also shortlisted for the Speech Pathology Awards) that includes Spring is:
The ABC Book of Seasons by H Martin and J Simpson, illustrated by Cheryl Orsini.Harper Collins.
Available in e-book or hardcover.
There’s lots to discover in the clear bright illustrations for each season.”Seasons come, Seasons go..Sun shines…winds blow..rain falls…plants grow” There’s a strong cycle illustration through the book to help children understand the natural rhythm of their world.
The
Little Bookroom in Melbourne highly recommended our next choice.( lucky to visit late last year!)
The Great Garden Mystery by Renee Treml, Random House Australia
“Someone is stealing the beetroots, who could that somebody be? Join us in the garden and we’ll unravel this mystery. A mix of clever Australian animals examine the evidence, but can this cluey cast catch the thief before they strike again? This beautifully illustrated picture book is perfect for reading aloud and features a cast of Australian and other animals that will delight both young and older readers.“
It is also shortlisted for the 2015 Speech Pathology Awards.See more at
Random House Books
We’re now all keen to grow our own vegetables and spring is just the right time to start.
Follow up reading this book with planting some easy veges in a tub .Or even trying beetroot !
Bernie loves Flora by Annemie Berebrouckk, Book Island
“Bernie the bear and Flora the duck have been best friends for a long, long time.They enjoy the same things and love to work together in Bernie’s garden,where he grows the most beautiful flowers.
But one day Flora arrives at Bernie’s house to find his flowers have all disappeared! And there’s no sign of Bernie either.
Who has taken the flowers? And why? Flora turns detective and questions Bernie’s friends.
What she eventually discovers is even more beautiful than Bernie’s garden.”( Book Island website)
This book has had
reviews mentioning the beautiful way friendship is shown.
The flowers theme is just right for a Spring story .The idea of working together in a garden leads children to a different way of valuing nurturing themselves, through their environment.There is even a list at the end of flower meanings- did you know each colour rose has a different meaning?
( 3 colouring sheets can be downloaded from the Book Island website.)
Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert,(variety of publishers)
(Popular overseas.)
The illustrations are bold, colourful and simple, so great for younger children. The picture is spread across the page and follows the cycle of planting to flowering.It gives lots of opportunities to talk about time,life cycles, colour and number.
Available in paperback, hardback and e book.
Have a look at this video to see how the book looks and reads
Storytime Katie has a
felt board post with fabulous colourful interactive felt board flowers and plants for this story.Or just make up your own story with the pieces.
Her other Spring ideas are below:
Try your library
The best way to find spring books at your library is to search the catalogue.Here’s an example from our library using the search terms, spring, garden and picture books.
- Raffi’s surprise Julia Hubery & Mei Matsuoka
- Millie-Mae in spring Natalie Marshall
- Ferdie’s springtime blossom Julia Rawlinson ; illustrated by Tiphanie Beeke.
- Butterfly birthday Harriet Ziefert ; illustrated by Mark Jones
- That’s not a daffodil Elizabeth Honey
Other Spring Booklists
We’ll be posting rhymes and more ideas very soon.
Please do add your Spring story suggestions.
All the books mentioned are available (at the time of posting) online or through your local children’s bookshop.
“Bernie the bear and Flora the duck have been best friends for a long, long time.They enjoy the same things and love to work together in Bernie’s garden,where he grows the most beautiful flowers.
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