news from the book nook: spring favorites

Even though the weather doesn't agree with the calendar, it's spring!! And so we must celebrate! How? With children's books, of course!

As I had originally announced in this post, here's the first edition of news from the book nook! I hope you find some old favorites on this list and maybe even some new ones to check out the next time you stop by the library or book store.

In no specific order a few of my spring faves...

Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candice Fleming
This book held the attention of one hundred squirming and excited kids before an egg hunt in the library last spring. No small feat for any book! Mr. McGreedy plants a garden, but finds that naughty bunnies are eating his veggies each night. He saws, cuts, and hammers his way through the book trying to protect his precious garden. One of my personal storytime favorites for preschoolers and kindergarteners! P.S. The bunnies are back in Tippy-Tippy-Tippy, Hide!

An Egg Is Quiet by Dianna Hutts Aston
Beautiful watercolor illustrations compliment nonfiction writing at its finest. The perfect book for a morning spent observing the inhabitants of the nest in your backyard. It's geared towards the early grades, but any bird-lover or animal aficionado will be enchanted by this book. In fact, I'd love to have some of the watercolors hanging on my walls! It would go lovely with our tree theme...but that's a topic for another day...

Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel
A classic! If you didn't befriend Frog and Toad as a child, please consider doing so right now! Early chapter books wouldn't be the same without this series of books about their quirky, fun friendship.

This particular book has a lovely little chapter about spring. Wake up, Frog! Wake up! It's Spring! This quote still pops into my head somewhere around February or March when the birds start singing, the bulbs begin to bloom, and the air smells of mud and flowers. Proof of the power of the written word and that what is read to a child stays with them for the rest of their life.

Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert
The classic cat and mouse bird story with a twist. Another great option for introducing scientific terms to preschoolers and kindergartners through an accessible, bright, and fun book. If your child like this one, try these other great reads also by the same author: Planting a Rainbow (perfect for talking about flowers and their names) and Waiting for Wings (caterpillar into butterfly story).

Rabbit Inn by Patience Brewster
Sadly, out of print, but a personal childhood favorite. We found a copy a couple of years ago while on vacation and bought it on the spot. It's a sweet little story about a rabbit inkeepers getting ready for their babies to arrive with the help of the inn guests. My mom must have read this to me hundreds of times when I was little!

Bugs by the Numbers by Sharon Werner
Perfect for any boy (or girl) who love creepy crawlers, numbers, and facts! An inviting format that provides interesting bug information. I often suggested this one for those kids that tear through nonfiction animal books or the world record books.

Green by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
Gorgeous Caldecott-winning illustrations and simple text. Green is the color of spring and this book is a wonderful way to talk about the concept of color and all the shades that exist within one color.

Not a Stick by Antoinette Portis
A book that brings out the imagination in a child. It's the sequel to another one of my favorites: Not a Box (a perfect rainy or snowy day book and activity). Our little friend in the book has a stick, but it's not a stick! It's a sword. A fishing pole. A horse. Read this one with your preschooler and then head outside to find out just what a stick isn't!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
What spring reading list would be complete without the perennial favorite! I especially love reading the story with props (holla to all you felt board lovers!) and giving each child a chance to have a part in the story. It's wonderful for teaching the concepts of a story, numbers, vocabulary, and the butterfly life cycle. No child is ever too young to be introduced to that very hungry caterpillar who eventually turns into a beautiful butterfly!

Stay tuned for the next edition of news from the book nook featuring things that jump and croak!