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!
Quick like springtime bunnies before we get to it, though, I want to announce that the winners of the copies of Bindu’s Bindis donated by publisher Sterling Children’s Books (from the PPBF post on February 26) are Sue Heavenrich and Anna Maledon! (because they actually sent two copies so YAY!) Please email me (susanna [at] susannhill [dot] com) with your snail mail address and I’ll send them out to you ASAP!
And now. . .
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!
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!!! 😊 And enjoy spring which starts TOMORROW!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
After the deluge here yesterday and the brisk winds this morning, I’m ready to curl up with a picture book about spring. Finding Spring looks perfect to get me through these next few weeks. What gorgeous illustrations! Thank you for sharing this one.
Enjoy today! Being impatient is somehow connected to inquisitiveness, curiosity, and learning about the world. There is a dark side to this too, you just have to balance your feelings so you don’t hurt yourself and others.
Such a pretty book! I’d love to celebrate spring – once the snow melts!!!
ah, thank you, Susanna. Finding Spring is indeed the perfect picture book for today! I am certainly heading out to look for signs of spring this afternoon (because… tomorrow!).
I am ready for spring books, and this one looks lovely! Beautiful illustrations!
Hurray for Spring! What a lovely book, Susanna – and I think we are all ready for the promise of renewal.
It’s definitely spring here! Thank goodness for Claritin! I love paper collages for illustrations. They provide so much texture and dimension. And the color palette makes me smile. I also love this little bear who just can’t wait! Great choice, Susanna!
That is a beautiful spring book. I wish it could stay spring and summer for ever! Tomorrow is the first day of Autumn down here. Though we still have lovely sunny days the nights will soon become cooler and the nights longer… (
A perfect book for spring. Happy springtime!