Yay! Spring is here and we have some amazing books for you this year.
From blossoming blooms to hatchling turtles and trillions of trees, we welcome this luscious season with a well-curated list of 2021 favorites we know you will enjoy.
PIGLETTE
PIGLETTE by Katelyn Aronson is super adorable.
It features a cute pig named Piglette, who differed from her 6 other siblings.
The other pigs loved eating slop and splashing in mud, but Piglette felt like she didn’t belong in the countryside of France.
She loved going to the pasture where she could pick and smell all the flowers, but she still felt like something was missing, so she moved to Paris.
While in Paris, she met Madame Paradee, who owned a perfume shop. Piglette could sniff and recognize the scent of every perfume.
She learned every fragrance, but she missed her family, and the scent of the countryside, so she returned home to the countryside.
Piglette realized she could be who she is right on the farm and have the best of both worlds with all her friends and family.
Ladened with witty alliterations and bold, springlike illustrations by Eva Byrne, Piglette teaches us that finding ourselves starts from accepting who we are and knowing what’s inside that makes us truly happy. PUBLISHER: Viking Books. Age: 4-8
PIGLETTE'S PERFECT SURPRISE
PIGLETTE’S PERFECT SURPRISE by Katelyn Aronson features our favorite cute little Piglette as she returns to her perfumed paradise in Paris to plan Madame Paradees’ surprise birthday party.
She meets Chef Pistache in his patisserie, where she helped him choose new flavors for helping with a birthday cake.
Piglette learned to make pastries and with much practice, she created a tower of treats for her surprise.
She wanted it to be perfect, but her treats were so tall; they toppled over on the floor.
Piglette felt sad and disappointed. However, Madame Paradee assured her that sometimes handmade gifts are never perfectly perfect, but they are the most precious.
This book teaches us that hard work is always rewarded with a full heart. The vibrant and scrumptious illustrations by Eva Byrne are always amazing and always bring Piglette’s story to life. PUBLISHER: Viking Books. Age: 4-8
FIRSTS & LASTS
Leda Schubert’s FIRSTS AND LASTS celebrates the changing seasons.
Throughout every season, there is a beginning and an end, and this book beautifully illustrates these changes.
The leaves falling signal the start of Autumn and as snow begins, so does Winter. When leaves reappear, we welcome Spring and as the grass grows, the heat of the sun welcomes Summer.
From picnics and bike rides to snowbirds and flannel pajamas and ladened with vibrant illustrations by Clover Robin, this book is relatable and a perfect addition to our home library. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
My Big Book of Outdoors
This pandemic has really made us appreciate the outdoors and, just in case you’re wondering what’s out there, Tim Hopgood’s MY BIG BOOK OF OUTDOORS will help.
Whether it’s Spring, Summer, Autumn or, Winter, there is always a world of adventure to explore outside.
There are a variety of organisms that are featured in this book, both on land and in the ocean. From different fruits, leaves, and flowers to insects, seashells, and clouds.
Children learn about nature and science, along with unique animals and their characteristics.
The illustrations are absolutely remarkable, making this book a definite favorite in classrooms and homes. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-10
Behold Our Magical Garden
BEHOLD OUR MAGICAL GARDEN by Allan Wolf is one of the most magnificent books of the year.
Each page features a beautiful poem that celebrates friendship and community support while allowing children to explore and learn about everything in their school garden.
Whether the children were planting seeds, composting or recording data, they each had an important role in maintaining their garden, so it can flourish into something magical and magnificent.
Beautifully and vibrantly illustrated by Daniel Duncan, this book teaches responsibility, explores imagination, boosts creativity, and encourages children to unite with one common goal. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
Marshmallow Clouds
MARSHMALLOW CLOUDS by Ted Kooser and Connie Wanek is filled with poems that pay homage to the elements of nature and celebrate the seasons and life.
It brings awareness to the simple yet intricate details of how certain things function and their importance to the world.
Ladened with metaphors, each page portrays a reflection of us and makes this book totally relatable.
With bold and colorful illustrations by Richard Jones, this book peaks imagination and encourages new perspectives on life and what’s around us. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
CHIRP
Mary Murphy writes and illustrates the best books and this new release CHIRP did not disappoint.
As morning approaches, the birds wake up and they each start chirping.
From the warble of the Thrush to the clacks of the Magpies, each winged friend begins their morning by lifting their voice.
As a little bluebird awaits a chance to sing, it realizes it has to speak up to be heard. The noise soon comes to a haunt, and it bellows out a glorious zippy tune as they all welcome the sun and the start of a new day.
The illustrations are illuminating and grow more vivid as the sun transitions through the pages.
This book is perfect for little bird lovers. It encourages children to speak up no matter how small they may be or feel. A definite must-have. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 2-4
CONSTRUCTION SITE: SPRING DELIGHT
Sherri Duskey Rinker’s upcoming release, CONSTRUCTION SITE: SPRING DELIGHT is a perfect welcome to Spring and Easter 2022.
As the construction trucks start their day, they find surprises along the way. Under each flap, they see spring flowers, playful animals, and even colorful Easter eggs.
When the day is done, they gather all they’ve collected for a spring, Easter surprise.
This is an instant favorite and the vibrant, spring-like illustrations by A G Ford are absolutely captivating and perfect for truck lovers.
PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books. Age: 4-8
MY DAY WITH THE PANYE
In some countries, carrying the Panye on your head is considered a sign of strength and grace. MY DAY WITH THE PANYE by Tami Charles is a beautiful book that celebrates this tradition through the eyes of a Haitian girl.
It’s Fallon’s turn to accompany her Manman to the market, and she’s excited to finally carry the panye.
The panye is a basket that’s usually full of food and is carried by placing it on top of a mouchwa that’s wrapped around your head.
She’s waited a long time to carry it, and after it falls off her head a couple of times, she realizes it takes agility and grace, and it isn’t as easy as it seems.
With a little encouragement from her manman, some uplifting words, and practice, she carries it with pride and grace.
The book is one of the best books of 2021. It encourages children to be strong and resilient, and it’s extremely motivational.
The illustrations by Sara Palacios are absolutely remarkable and vividly represent Haitian culture. A definite must-have. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
MASTERS OF DISGUISE
MASTERS OF DISGUISE by Marc Martin is the ultimate animal seek-and-find adventure.
From the jungle to the Arctic or immersed in the ocean, animals such as Panther Chameleon, Gaboon Viper, or Polar Bear are masters of camouflaging themselves in their habitat.
Whether they’re predators or prey, children can learn about these magnificent creatures and how their characteristics help them adapt to their environment.
With bright and vivid illustrations, this book creates a fun and interactive activity for little nature lovers. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 6-10
THE WISDOM OF TREES
Everyone loves trees. They help and protect animals and provide food and shelter.
THE WISDOM OF TREES by Lita Judge pays homage to these wonderful organisms and how beneficial they are to the world.
Trees have been around for centuries, and they hold secrets they share. They may seem dormant, but trees are fighters, and some release chemicals that protect their leaves.
From telling the time to creating their own climate, the interconnectivity of trees is remarkable and children can learn how their inner mechanisms work.
With luscious and vivid illustrations, each poem celebrates their excellence and the value they have on this earth. PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press. Age: 6-10
MEL FELL
MEL FELL by Corey R. Tabor is a sweet story of determination. Mel is a bird who was tired of being in her nest. She wanted to fly.
Though she was afraid, that did not deter her. As she fell, all the animals were there to help if anything went wrong and cheered her on.
As she leapt off the branch, she plunged into the water below, caught a fish with her beak, and sprang up into the sky. She was flying and her friends and siblings were so excited for her.
MEL FELL is one of our favorite books for the year so far. It encourages children to be brave and go above and beyond.
With magnificently vibrant illustrations, this book teaches that sometimes you have to fall before you fly. PUBLISHER: Balzer + Bray. Age: 4-8
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FLOWER?
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FLOWER by Shawn Harris is one of the most anticipated books of the year. We know him for his remarkable illustrations, so his debut as an author did not disappoint.
It features a girl leaving her apartment complex for a road trip and experiencing the wonder of nature.
As she runs through a field of flowers, she embraces it with all her senses. She sees every color, smells, and tastes the sweet aroma of raindrops made of honey with every breath.
She shouts hello and listens for an echo while embracing the petals that are like veins on her skin. She becomes one with the flower and blossoms towards the sun.
A flower isn’t just a flower, there is so much more to it, and this book explores all that it offers. So when you look at a flower, don’t just look. Become one and embrace it.
This book is absolutely magnificent with bold, vibrant springlike illustrations and full of similes that are sure to tantalize little nature lovers. PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books. Age: 2-6
CHASE THE MOON TINY TURTLE
CHASE THE MOON, TINY TURTLE by Kelly Jordan takes us on a loggerhead hatchling’s journey from land to sea.
When hatched, they begin their crawl to the ocean, guided by the moonlight. But the moon isn’t the only thing that’s out at night. Land and sea predators are waiting to grab these cute little turtles.
Page As they dodge, piercing eyes of owls, snapping jaws of dogs, and clawing paws of crabs, they shuttle their way diligently to the water.
With vivid, oceanic illustrations by Sally Walker, this beautiful book brings awareness to the importance of their survival and includes ways in which we can assist at the back of the book. PUBLISHER: Page Street Kids. Age: 4-8
THE HOUSE OF GRASS AND SKY
THE HOUSE OF GRASS AND SKY by Mary Lyn Ray features a house that has been home to many families.
It welcomed the birth of babies and the laughter of children playing in the yard. Soon the house was empty and longed to hear laughter and smell the aroma of cakes baking.
For years the house remained empty. Families came, saw the house, but none ever stayed. With a little hope, a family came and stayed and the house was happy.
Once again, it enjoyed the children laughing and told stories of its past while welcoming new stories.
This is such a sweet book. We believe the perfect house is waiting to be a great home to a great family. It holds strong bonds between families by providing warmth and shelter.
The magnificent illustrations by E. B. Goodale are bold and vibrant and capture the essence of this wonderful story. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
TRILLIONS OF TREES
When a misunderstood phone call goes wrong, an order for trillium trees results in an order for a trillion trees.
In TRILLIONS OF TREES by Kurt Cyrus, a boy and his sister are in a bit of a predicament when 100 of the trillion trees arrive at their house.
With so many trees arriving, they started planting them all over the backyard and soon throughout the neighborhood.
From alder to sequoia, willow to poplar, they plant seeds along the trails at the park, near streams and mountains which brought the community together.
Trillions of Trees is one of our favorites for spring 2021. It’s extremely inspirational and encourages a love for trees and the environment. It’s important for children to understand the value trees have on this earth and how much of a necessity they are to us all. PUBLISHER: Henry Holt and Co. Age: 4-8
BLUE RIDGE BABIES 1,2,3
BLUE RIDGE BABY 1,2,3 by Laura Sperry Gardner is a beautiful rhyming book that takes us on an adventure through the Appalachian mountain.
Through bogs, in streams, and high in the trees, we meet the animal families as they pounce, dig and play, all while learning to count.
With vibrant and vivid illustrations by Stephanie Fizer Coleman, this book is the perfect bedtime story.
It’s playful yet calming, and also includes a summary of the animals and musical tune to sing along as you read. PUBLISHER: Page Street Kids. Age:2-4
ZONIA'S RAIN FOREST
When the rainforest speaks to you…you answer. In Juana Martinez-Neal’s ZONIA’S RAIN FOREST, a girl named Zonia lives in the Amazon rainforest of Peru with her family.
Every morning she roams through the forest that’s always full of life, saying hello to her animal friends.From sleepy sloths to chatty birds, she greets old and new friends and welcomes the day with a full heart.
That’s until she sees they cut the trees down in the forest. Feeling dismayed, she runs to her mom who urges her to help the forest. Armed with courage and strength, she is determined to answer the call.
The Amazon is home to many families and animals and should be protected at all costs.It’s rich in culture there are over 330 languages spoken. Zonia is Asháninka and Juana pays homage to this beautiful language by telling the story in Asháninka at the back of the book.
The vibrant illustrations capture the entire essence of this remarkable story that inspires the youngest mind to create change. We also love how sustainable this book is because it’s made from banana bark paper. How awesome is that? This book is also written in Spanish.PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 6-10
WELCOME FLOWER CHILD
Have you ever wondered what your birth flower is? There are so many wonderful spring books this year, but so far WELCOME FLOWER CHILD by Brigette Barrager is our favorite. Spring is my favorite season because I love flowers and that’s when most flowers bloom.
From water lilies to marigolds, this beautifully illustrated book portrays all the flowers for each month of the year. I was so excited for May because that’s my birth month.
Apart from the bold, vibrant, spring-like illustrations, the rhyming verses are sure to enlighten little readers, and it’s guaranteed to be a household favorite. PUBLISHER: Random House Books for Young Readers. Age: 4-8
HELLO, RAIN!
Do you love the rain? HELLO, RAIN by Kyo Maclear are for the muddy-puddlers and rainy day lovers.
It features a cute girl and her dog as they venture outside for some rainy day fun. Every raindrop plays a different tune, and the melodic sounds of the clinking drops mesmerize her.
It’s not just sploshing and splashing for her, she wonders where it comes from and pays attention to its every detail as she metaphorically celebrates every drop. There are so many words for rain, and it benefits not only us but both plants and animals.
We are obsessed with the bright, vibrant illustrations by Chris Turnham. Sometimes the rain can leave us gloomy but the illustrations are inviting and truly magical. PUBLISHER: Chronicle Books. Age: 2-6
THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD
THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD by Petr Horáček it’s a gentle story of friendship and community.
Hare lives with his friends in the meadow where they run and play. Bear loves honey from the bees, the duck loves swimming in the stream, and the birds love to sing up high. But was it the best place in the world, he asked his friends.
After some wise counsel from the owl, he answers his question by journeying around the world to see for himself.
Through orchards and up mountains, he discovered his friends would enjoy these places. Everything he saw on his journey was beautiful, but he missed his friends.
It was then he realized the best place in the world was where his friends were. A home isn’t just a place, it’s the people who live there.
Coupled with magnificent, vibrant, yellow-green hues, this wonderful book celebrates friendship and encourages everyone to explore new things but never forgetting the things that mean the most. We love this book and the wonderful message. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 4-8
I AM A BIRD
In I AM A BIRD by Hope Lim, a joyful girl sings like a bird on the mounted seat at the back of her dad’s bike as they ride to school.
She smiles and waves to people every day but also notices a woman with a blue coat and a red bag. She never smiles or waves but is curious to know where the lady is going and what’s in her bag.
Whenever the girl sees the lady she stops singing and looks away. Until one day she sees the lady in the park feeding and singing to birds. Have they been similar the whole time?
People can act differently but love the same things. With vibrant gouache prints by Hyewon Yum, this is such a sweet story that children and adults will enjoy, especially bird lovers. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 2-6
OUR EASTER ADVENTURE
Our favorite Easter book this year is Emma Randall’s OUR EASTER ADVENTURE. It’s also a great introduction to spring.
Join the children on a magical Easter egg hunt as they follow the Easter bunny over bridges and through the fields.
They finally get to the Bunny’s cave and discover his egg machine and why he hides his eggs.
With vibrant and majestic illustrations, this book will enlighten and inspire children to be creative. There are so many Easter egg ideas. Happy Easter, everyone. PUBLISHER: Penguin Workshop. Age: 4-8
WE WAIT FOR THE SUN
We started Women History Month 2021 with one of my favorite person, Dovey Johnson Roundtree.
WE WAIT FOR THE SUN by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe is the wonderful story of young Dovey Johnson and her grandmother.
Before the sun rises, they head out through the darkness to pick berries in the woods with the other ladies.
With hums and clanking pails and the taste of sweet berries, they pick and await the warm sunrise.
We love books that foster intergenerational bonding. Grandmothers have always been the backbone of the family and have inspired children who later became doctors, engineers, and even presidents.
Dovey Johnson was one of the first women commissioned by the army, a minister, an activist, and an attorney who fought against segregation.
Her greatest inspiration was her grandmother Rachel Bryant Graham.
The beautiful illustrations by Raissa Figueroa convey a sense of love, security, and strength, and we love the contrasting elements on each page. A total must-have. PUBLISHER: Roaring Brook Press. Age: 4-8
RAIN BEFORE RAINBOWS
RAIN BEFORE RAINBOWS by Smriti Prasadam-Halls provides hope and support to anyone who may go through a difficult time.
As adults, we’ve all been through things, but so do some children.
Books like this encourage children to push on through trials and reassure them that things will get better.
With the help and support from family and friends, they gain the strength to rebuild, restore and to carry on because there’s always a beautiful rainbow after the rain.
The illustrations by David Litchfield are luminous and vibrant and the transition through the pages from gloom to bright is absolutely magnificent. PUBLISHER: Candlewick Press. Age: 2-6
