Transitioning from one season to another is full of significance. Changes in the weather, daylight hours, and nature are typical signs of a new season. And as we welcome the arrival of spring, it’s a wonderful opportunity to gather a collection of beloved books and do some reading. These 10 picture books offer a lovely way to welcome spring!
10 Lovely Picture Books to Welcome Spring
1. A New Beginning: Celebrating the spring equinox
by Wendy Pfeffer and Linda Bleck
This book explains the spring equinox and describes what this looks like in the northern hemisphere.
Lovely illustrations show lengthening spring days, the start of the growing season, and new life emerging.
Attention is given to earth’s annual rebirth and the variety of ways that various cultures and different religions have celebrated throughout history. It also includes suggestions for some related, hands-on activities.
For a lovely explanation of the spring season, this book is perfect.
2. The Napping House
by Audrey & Don Wood
The illustrations in this book are stunning!
Complete with a cozy bed, a snoring granny, and a dreaming child all tucked away in their house during a storm. At last, they awaken when the sun decides to make an appearance. A celebratory mood follows, complete with a beautiful rainbow.
It all feels very spring-like!
Whimsical with lots of simple rhyming, this is a lovely little read.
3. Sun Bread
by Elisa Kleven
We are introduced to a town where the current weather is gray, snowy, and cold. Everyone is gloomily tucked away in their homes, missing the sun and its warmth.
The town’s baker decides to make some sun bread, and soon the aroma lures everyone outside, including the actual sun.
The atmosphere changes to one of celebration and community.
This story feels festive as the mood transitions from dull to joyful. It also includes a recipe for baking your own sun bread.
4. The Puddle Pail
by Elisa Kleven
Yup, Elisa Kleven again!
And for good reason, I might add. She weaves stories and illustrations together so gracefully and creates such lovely books.
Ernst and Sol, curious crocodiles and brothers, both enjoy collecting items. Sol prefers objects he can actually touch, while Ernst prefers collecting things like puddles.
Puddles!?!
What? How?
This is a delightful book that highlights nature and creativity.
Full of whimsy and imagination!
5. A Day with No Crayons
by Elizabeth Rusch and Chad Cameron
Liza’s crayons are taken away after her mother finds her drawing on her bedroom walls.
Oops.
Suddenly Liza’s entire world goes gray and as an artist, she doesn’t know what to do with herself.
But slowly she begins to see color all around her and she responds by creating her own art, using everything from toothpaste to mud puddles.
A beautiful book merging art and nature together.
6. The Ugly Vegetables
by Grace Lin
A young Chinese-American girl wishes she had a garden full of bright flowers, like her neighbors’. Instead, her mother insists on growing ugly, bumpy, vegetables.
While they plant their garden in the spring, her mother tells her that the vegetables are actually better than flowers, despite their appearance.
Once harvest time comes, the ugly vegetables are made into a delicious soup. The neighborhood celebrates together, enjoying beautiful flowers and the yummy soup.
This is a heartfelt and charming story about celebrating differences and recognizing that everything has its purpose and unique beauty. Includes a guide to the Chinese pronunciation of the vegetables, as well as the recipe for ugly vegetable soup.
7. Runny Babbit
by Shel Silverstein
In typical Shel Silverstein style, Runny Babbit is another delightful book!
Runny Babbit and his friends, including Toe Jurtle, Dungry Hog, Skertie Gunk, Snerry Jake, and Rirty Dat, speak a unique and whacky language.
Letters or syllables are swapped out of words and phrases which makes for some seriously nutty language!
This is a fun read, full of silly animals and plenty of imagination.
8. Fancy Nancy Explorer Extraordinaire!
by Jane O’Conner & Robin Preiss Glasser
Fancy Nancy and her best friend, Bree, create their very own Explorers Club and set out to discover the great outdoors.
They encounter wildflowers, trees, leaves, birds, and butterflies as they explore their surroundings and develop their naturalist skills.
This charming read Includes recipes for pinecone bird feeders and “extra-fancy” lemonade.
9. The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear
by Audrey & Don Wood
Another one from Audrey and Don Wood!
This means we are guaranteed fantastic illustrations!
Little Mouse loves strawberries. Unfortunately, so does the Big Hungry Bear.
Read along to see if Little Mouse can stop the bear from eating his freshly picked, red, ripe strawberry.
A cute and clever little story.
10. Duck & Goose
by Tad Hills
Duck and Goose are two friends who mistake a spotted ball for a real egg.
Their friendship is tested as they care for their new treasure. They must figure out how to cooperate and share, which proves challenging.
A sweet book about mistakes, friendship, and surprises.
So there you have it! 10 lovely picture books to welcome spring!
I hope you select a few of these books and enjoy reading them together. Let me know what you think!
And be sure to check out my list of picture books for the other seasons too!
- 10 Picture Books to Celebrate Summer
- 10 Cozy Picture Books to Welcome Fall
- 10 Magical Picture Books to Celebrate Winter
- 10 Delightful Christmas Books to Celebrate Christmas
Happy springtime reading!
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