THE CLASSIC
Brambly Hedge - Spring Story by Jill Berklem
It was Wilfred’s birthday, one fine spring morning, and the smell of freshly baked blackberry pudding filled the air… We’re sure you’ll agree that nothing quite sets the scene of a British season more than the intricately illustrated pages of a charming Bramley Hedge tale. From honey and clover flour at the Store Stump, to homemade hazelnut cream cake and primrose puddings, the Bramley Hedge mice ‘heave and haul’ their goods to a surprise birthday picnic for lucky little Wilfred. While the grownup mice snooze and their youngsters play in the primroses, we are reminded of life’s simple pleasures – and dare to dream of having a spring just as special.
THE USE YOUR IMAGINATION ONE
Is it a Seed? By Emily Ann Davison, illustrated by Adriena Fong
‘Is it a Seed?’ harnesses the power of a child’s imagination, inviting readers to share simple task of planting a seed, made all the more extraordinary by imagining what it could grow into. How about a beanstalk filled with giants, or a tree that could take over the world? A great book for encouraging conversation around how hard it is to be patient, the beauty of blended families – and what YOU think the seed will grow into.
THE ONE ABOUT THE VALUE OF FRIENDSHIP
Oh, Carrots! By Mariajo Ilustrajo
After a long winter, spring has arrived and it’s time for Mr Rabbit to plant his favourite thing: carrots! The story takes an unexpected turn when Mr Rabbit heaves a walking, talking carrot out of the soil but thankfully this initial jump scare turns into a friendship built on opposites and shows how we all have something valuable to teach each other. This book is entertaining on so many levels and also works as a great way to discuss the chaos a new baby can bring but that ultimately how having a little sidekick can be so rewarding – and that life is certainly never boring again.
THE ONE WITH FEW WORDS
Now I See Spring by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
‘The tree, something red, the perfect hat’. In an ever-changing, fast-paced world, there is something calmly reassuring about the board book collaborations by Barnett and Klassen. Small amounts of text and simple shapes with textured pastel colours leave plenty of room left for the reader to fill in the space with their own reflections. Drawn from the child’s perspective, the standout page for us was ‘Me’, a picture of a shadow against a boarded house; because no spring walk is complete without chasing long, sun-spun shadows.
THE MAGICAL ONE
The Magic Feather by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Catherine Rayner
Out on an early Spring walk, we meet Susanna, a kind girl in a ragged dress, who nurses a poorly linnet back to health. The feather it leaves behind gives her the gift of understanding all birds – imagine that! A friend to the robins, seagulls, swans and all, Susannah sets off from home and ends up living in a palace surrounded by finery. But can these riches replace the beauty of the natural world she left behind? An exquisite rhyming story, that highlights the magic of nature and caring for our environment from national treasure Julia Donaldson and Catherine Rayner, winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal for Illustration.
THE ONE THAT KEEPS IT REAL
Stories from Percy’s Park: A Rainy Day by Nick Butterworth
Percy the park keeper and his animal friends have been on children’s bookshelves since 1989. Full of captivating, rhyming stories with overarching themes of friendship, kindness and teamwork, they are always well-thumbed favourites. A Rainy Day is a great tale of turning that frown upside down as Percy and pals make the best of a rained-off picnic, playing riotous indoor games before that shy sun returns with a rainbow.
THE INSPIRATIONAL ONE
My Nature Trail by Rachel and Paul Lawston, illustrated by Lia Visirin and Beatriz Castro
No matter the season, it can be somewhat of an effort to get little legs interested in ‘going on a walk’ – though the allure of wellies and puddles can often swing it. ‘My Nature Trail’ inspires kids to get active throughout all the seasons, kicking off with spring. Full of nature-themed adventures to enjoy both at home and in the park, kids can get stuck into fun projects like making a plant pot pond or hedgehog den, to checking off the first signs of spring. There’s a bundle of intergenerational ideas to ignite a spring in your step, too.
THE ONE TODDLER’S DREAMS ARE MADE OF
Uh-oh Niko – The Farm by Chris Chatterton
Niko is a loveable little teddy bear with rosy cheeks who often has little mishaps. This latest book from the series is set on a friendly farmyard with a traditional bright red tractor and there’s lots of scope for uh-oh moments! Niko’s travels on the Farm see him feeding the spring baby animals, getting bonked on the head by a falling apple (our personal favourite), and losing his hat to the horse! All is well in the end though and little kids will enjoy reflecting on how Niko always tries again and learns new skills along the way. Well done, Niko!
THE MODERN CLASSIC ONE
Tales from Acorn Wood- Spring, a Push, Pull and Slide book by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
The animal friends of Acorn Wood are having the Spring we are all dreaming of. Rabbit in her ‘sunny’ garden, Squirrel living every parent’s dream of hanging the washing OUTSIDE, and Badger rocking out at an open-air concert. And to top it off, Fox has a glorious bunch of daffodils, and they all share a picnic – where hopefully there is more in the basket than just Hen. Seamless and inventive reveals on each page add to the magic.
THE ONE ABOUT THE LIFE CYCLE
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
We love this simply yet beautifully illustrated book, which gives kids a clear window into the magic of a sunflower seed germinating and growing. From roots shooting underground to the full-beam bloom of a flower, this book offers a close-up view of each step of the process and highlights how seeds depend on other creatures to thrive. A striking fold-out spread of a full-grown sunflower and additional facts at the back of the book will be returned to time and time again by budding scientists and horticulturists.
THE BUNNY BAKER ONE
Bun by Hana Kinoshita Thomson
We just love how many spring-theme books end with a sunny picnic, and ‘Bun’ is no exception. Following Bun through her super smiley spring day, children will love seeing familiar everyday routines played out with a twist – carrot jam for breakfast and all the joys of an underground burrow home for starters. Bun is very busy digging up carrots and collecting eggs, all to bake a carrot cake for her special carrot cake party! A happy, hoppy day, indeed.
THE SING-ALONG ONE
Over in the Meadow, illustrated by Jill McDonald, sung by Susan Reed
Baa, buzz, caw and… wink! It’s all action stations over in the meadow. After reading this board book a few times, little ones can join in the fun making the baby animal noises and actions. The collage style illustrations are oh so sweet, and all the animals, even the little muskrats, look full of the joys of Spring. Singing along is obviously encouraged but there is a QR code on the back of the book to watch an animated video and hear the joyful tones of Susan Reed singing it, instead.
THE NURSERY RHYME ONE
Five Little Chicks by Camilla Reid, illustrated by Jill Howarth
These delightfully retro illustrations paired with a classic nursery rhyme tale of a Hen who cant keep track of her chicks is bound to be a hit with your own little brood. From the creators of Rhyme Time, Five Little Chicks is a guaranteed bedtime hit, and the added feature of its sliding chick counters gives it a new interactive dimension. Children will love counting out the chicks and sliding them on home to ‘mama’, and after all that excitement, they can enjoy saying “goodnight little chicks”, before snuggling up themselves.
