It's Spring! Book

A child observes the arrival of spring and its effects on plants and animals. Includes suggestions for nature study projects.

Carol Lynch - Children's Literature

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,