With temperatures rising (thankfully!), it’s beginning to feel more and more like spring.
I’m looking forward to when I can sit out on our balcony with my cats and a good book, to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. I’m also anxious to buy some new plants and flowers to decorate our balcony.
Where I work, my “work kids” are super excited to finally go outside. They still need their jackets, but at least they can go outside and run around to get fresh air.
The publishers Holiday House and Peachtree have a number of new and recent picture books that would be great to read this time of the year (spring related stories). They would make delightful bedtime stores too.
The books are linked in their titles so you can learn more about the book. You can find these books at major book retailers, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Happy Springtime! by Kate McMullan, illustrated by Sujean Rim (Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, $18.99, on sale now)
Look ahead to sunny days with this bright, bouncy, and colorful picture book. Full of riotous watercolor illustrations by Sujean Rim, Kate McMullan’s ode to the joys of spring celebrates the burst of life following the thaw of winter.
Miguel’s Community Garden (Where in the Garden? #2) by JaNay-Brown Wood, illustrated by Samara Hardy (Peachtree Publishing Company, for ages 3–7, $16.99, on sale now)
Miguel is throwing a party at his community garden for his friends, and his treats won’t be the same without his sunflowers. He’s searched and searched, but the garden has lots of plants and Miguel needs help to identify them. Can readers use what they learn about sunflowers to help Miguel find them in time for his party?
Eggs from Red Hen Farm: Farm to Table with Mazes and Maps by Monica Wellington (Holiday House, for ages 3–7, $18.99, on sale now)
Where do eggs come from? What are they used for? And how do they travel from the farmer to the consumer? Join Ruby and Ned, who tend their flock of chickens on Red Hen Farm, for answers to these questions.
Beyond the Burrow by Jessica Meserve (Peachtree Publishing Company, for ages 2–6, $17.99, on sale now)
The world can be a scary place for a small rabbit, especially when it’s filled with strange-looking creatures who don’t eat carrots. But does “giant, clawed, and hairy” have to mean “scary”? Rabbit is about to find out! Author-illustrator Jessica Meserve offers an adventurous, yet reassuring tale of exploration that will inspire boldness and curiosity.
I received a copy of this book to review. It’s darling!
First and foremost, I love the illustrations.
This is a fun and engaging book. Rabbit has a wild adventure and meets an assortment of interesting creatures.
This is an easy reader. There are not too many words on the pages. There might be a few words a child would need help with, but over all I think it’s a relatively easy book to read. It’s certainly a fun book. I’m an adult and I loved this book. In fact, I kept it in our family’s library for my “someday grandchildren.”
No! Said Rabbit by Marjoke Henrichs (Peachtree Publishing Company, for ages 2–6, $17.99, on sale now)
Rabbit doesn’t want to listen to anyone. Or so he thinks. Little readers will immediately relate to Rabbit, who embodies every mischievous child who would rather have their own way than be told what to do. Adult readers will recognize loads of relatable parenting moments throughout.
One Million Trees: A True Story by Kristen Balouch (Margaret Ferguson Books/Holiday House, for ages 4–8, $18.99, on sale 3/15/2022)
The real-life story of a family who planted 1,000,000 trees to fight deforestation in British Columbia. Author/illustrator Kristen reflects on the forty days she spent living in a tent, covered in mud and bug bites, working hard every day to plant a new forest. Young readers will learn a little French, practice some math skills, and learn all about how to plant a tree the right way!
Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi, illustrated by Fahmida Azim (Holiday House, for ages 4–8, $17.99, on sale now)
Ramadan has come to an end, and Amira can’t wait to stay home from school to celebrate Eid. There’s just one hiccup: it’s also school picture day. How can Amira be in two places at once? A last-minute idea on the car ride home might just provide the solution to everything in this delightful story.
Do you have a favorite new book? Feel free to comment and tell me more about it.
Kimberly
*I received a book to review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted.