Look at that! It’s Perfect Picture Book Friday again!
And just in time, too!
In keeping with my theme for this week (you know, the one where I insist that spring is coming in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary 🙂 ) I have the perfect book!
Title: Finding Spring
Written & Illustrated By: Carin Berger
Greenwillow Books, January 2015, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-8 (though I think a lot of 3 year olds would love it too 🙂 )
Themes/Topics: seasons (spring), animals (bears), perseverance, patience
Opening: “The forest was growing cold. Mama said that soon it would be time to sleep, but all Maurice could think about was his first spring.”
Brief Synopsis: Mama bear says it’s time to sleep, but all Maurice can think about is spring. So when Mama goes to sleep, Maurice sets out to find it. He has never seen spring, however, so he’s not really sure where to look or even what he’s looking for!
text and illustration copyright Carin Berger 2015
Links To Resources: take a nature walk and look for signs of spring; make up a list of signs of spring and check them off as they appear – is spring here yet?; How To Make A Diorama (video); Diorama Crafts For Kids; try making your own diorama about spring; make paper flowers; how to make tissue paper flowers (video)
Why I Like This Book: Every child on earth understands impatience – how hard waiting is, and how much more fun to take action! Maurice is not deterred in the slightest by the fact that he doesn’t actually know what spring is. He just looks until he knows he’s found it. And he can tell he’s found it because it’s the most magical thing he’s ever seen! Just wait until you see what it is (and no, I’m not telling! 🙂 ) The book is illustrated with dioramas and cut-paper collages and is just gorgeous – a feast for the eyes of kids and grown-ups alike. A perfect choice for those of us currently longing for spring 🙂
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 🙂
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 🙂 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Susanna, Hope this plan work to bring Spring soon. I need to go find this book, it sounds like a great read. Thanks for recommending it.
If you would just come for a visit we could go on a walk to find signs of spring together, Susanna! Lovely book – I am a big fan of Carin Berger’s work.
Spring is such a magical time for kids. There is so much to explore. This looks like a lovely share. Beautiful illustrations! And, today it reaches 65 in SW Ohio! Yeah!
I want to reach out and touch those pages! I love Carin’s work.
Wow, wow, wow! Love the illustrations!
And I hear that we are in for another snow storm possibly…so this book is definitely what the doctor ordered to keep our spirits up.
Another list of recommendations to find at my library!
Gabrielle
Sounds adorable. Perfect for those of us looking for Spring!
Love your book choice and love your optimism. While you are looking forward to spring we are still hanging on to summer down here. I reckon we still have another two months of good summer days although it’s officially autumn now. *sob*