Book Review: Books for Spring

According to the calendar it's already been spring for a few weeks here, but the weather says otherwise.  It's really just this week that the grass is starting to show and look not-quite-so-brown and that we've been able to go out without layers upon layers of clothing.  It's nice.  And so are new books.  Here are a few new (or resurfacing) ones that we've got out on our shelves these days...

The Icky Bug Alphabet Book by Jerry Pallotta

I used to have this book in my classroom and thought it was really good --an alphabet book that tells about different "bugs" for each letter.  The drawings are attractive and it has just the right amount of information on each critter.  Ages 4-6.  

I am a Bunny by Ole Risom

A classic!  This book goes through the year describing Nicholas Bunny's activities during each season.  The drawings are cute, but still have some interesting details.  We've decided to give this one to the little cousins for Easter this year.  Ages 2-4.

Ladybug Girl by David Soman

I am in love with this book.  Which is good, because both The Bean and Sprout have wanted us to read it to them multiple times a day for the past week, which is how long we've had it.  It was a lucky find at the Book Bank.  The story is about a young girl, who dressed up like a ladybug, has to entertain herself for an entire morning.  She heads outdoors where she finds lots to do, proving to herself that she is not too little as her older brother criticizes.  The illustrations are anime-like and the artists do a great job of showing expression on the main character's face.  Ages 3-6.  

Hatch by Katie Cox

A board book with little rhymes giving hints to each animal hiding behind an egg, which the child can "crack" open to reveal.  A nice introduction to which animals come from eggs vs. which are born live.  Ages 1-3.

Worms Wiggle, Bugs Jiggle A Reader's Digest Book

Another Book Bank find, this little book is full of rhymes about nature.  It was just too sweet not to include in this list.  Here's one of the rhymes:  

Only My Opinion

Is a caterpillar ticklish?

Well it's always my belief

That he giggles, as he wiggles

Across a  hairy leaf.

Ages 3-8.

The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss

Another classic.  A simple story with simple (almost monochromatic) drawings about a little boy who continues to care for the carrot seed he has planted despite his family telling him that "it won't come up."  His perseverance pays off when his carrot comes up!  Perhaps especially nice for impatient gardeners. :)  Ages 1-3.  

DewDrops

I have no idea where this book came from, but all it is is very simple illustrations of flowers with their names.  Nice for introducing new flowers to little ones.  I believe Lois Ehlert's Planting a Rainbow is somewhat similar, but we don't own that one.  Ages 1-3.