more photos“And Then It’s Spring” by Julie Fogliano, illustrated by Erin Stead
If you have a budding gardener in your house, it’s time to share the lovely new book, “And Then It’s Spring,” by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Caldecott winner Erin Stead. Brown-hued pictures dominate as a young boy plants his seeds and waits for them to sprout. The pages, though, are infused with warm humor and delightful details such as bears that can’t read the signs asking for caution and ant neighborhoods busy underground. After many weeks, the boy’s patience is rewarded, and our eyes rest on the lush, green garden of spring. This is a sweet book to share with preschoolers through second-graders.
“Mama, is it Summer Yet?” by Nikki McClure
Olympia, Wash., author and illustrator Nikki McClure knows what it’s like to look forward to the warmer seasons. When her son’s query inspired her to write “Mama, is it Summer Yet?” we were the ones to benefit. Mother and son search for signs of summer as buds begin to open, squirrels build their nests and a parent and child plant seedlings in the garden. The beautiful cut paper and digital illustrations, simply colored, match well with the repetitive text and simple explanations. Perfect to share with toddlers, while early elementary students will enjoy reading it with adults or independently.
