Welcome Spring!
March is here and spring is just about to “spring”! It’s the time of the annual EPCOT® International Flower and Garden Festival at Walt Disney World. I have never been to the festival, but I’ve seen many photos and heard many stories about the flowers and butterflies, the topiaries and Flower Power concerts. Someday, I’ll be there. But until then, I’ll enjoy spring right where I am. Even before Walt Disney began making feature films, he made many spring themed shorts as part of his Silly Symphonies. And of course, Fantasia and Bambi can give you a taste of spring.
With more hours of daylight, maybe we adults can find more time to read. I find myself starting to look for new and fresh books to read myself. There are lots out there. Looking for a biography? Why not try Dick Van Dyke’s My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business. I especially liked his recollections of the making of Mary Poppins and his thoughts about Walt Disney. If you are looking for some nice, quick reads, try the Lillian Jackson Braun’s The Cat Who…books or Rita Mae Brown Mrs. Murphy series. And if you haven’t already read The Help by Kathryn Stockett or The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, I highly recommend them.
Spring
March began with Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ Birthday celebrations in our communities and schools. Dr. Seuss’ Bartholomew and the Oobleck makes us thankful for the “normal” things that come down from the sky in the springtime. And making Oobleck is so-o-o-o-o-o much fun! There are recipes out there in cyberspace, but basically 1 ½ cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water and a couple drops of green food coloring will do it. Mix it. Play with it. Have fun. And keep it off carpets and fabric! ;)
Spring is also the time for nature or season themed books for children. St. Patrick’s Day, Easter and Passover provide a good source for books to read to or with children. My absolute favorite for this time of the year is The Easter Egg Artists by Adrienne Adams. It is a wonderful story of Orson Abbot who desperately wants to help his parents with their painting. His adventures and the beautiful pastels used in the illustrations are priceless. This is the kind of book that will be read and reread and remembered for years. Another favorite of mine is Bentley and Egg by William Joyce, who is also the creator of Rolie Polie Olie. You will long remember Bentley Hopperton, an artistic and musical egg-sitting frog, long after you finish reading this to your child. And look for the special signature of William Joyce inside the book! Here are more great spring books.
The Easter Egg Artists by Adrienne Adams
Bentley and Egg by William Joyce (Who is the creator of Rolie Polie Olie!)
Waiting for Spring Stories by Bethany Roberts
Frog and Toad Are Friends by Arnold Lobel (Especially the “Spring” story!)
The April Rabbits by David Cleveland
That’s What Happens When It’s Spring by Elaine W. Good (Part of a series of four-one for each season)
Four Stories for Four Seasons by Tomie de Paola
The Lamb and The Butterfly by Arnold Sundgaard and illustrations by Eric Carle
The Reason for Seasons by Gail Gibbons (Here’s a non-fiction for you!)
The Spring Rabbit by Joyce Dunbar
Snip, Snip Little Lambs by Tomie de Paola
The Little Rabbit by Phoebe Dunn (Beautiful photography, as in all of the Phoebe Dunn books!)
The Chocolate Rabbit by Maria Claret
Max’s Chocolate Chicken by Rosemary Wells
Henry and Mudge and the Big Wind by Cynthia Rylant
The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins (Great cumulative tale!)
Hopper Hunts for Spring by Marcus Pfister (Author of The Rainbow Fish)
The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
Special Spring Days
Leading up to, and even after, March 17th, many children enjoy the fanciful tales centered around St. Patrick’s Day. Tomie de Paola’s Irish side shines through in the two Jamie O’Rourke books. Disney’s Darby O’Gill and the Little People would be a great DVD to watch this month, too. Springtime also brings us both Easter and Passover. Here are a few books that children enjoy.
Jamie O’ Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie de Paola
Jamie O’ Rourke and the Pooka by Tomie de Paola
St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning by Eve Bunting and illustrations by Jan Brett
Clever Tom and the Leprechaun by Linda Shute (Never trick a leprechaun!)
My First Easter by Tomie de Paola
Biggest Easter Basket Ever by Steven Kroll
It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown by Charles Schultz
*The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story by Jan Berenstain
The Matzoh That Papa Brought Home by Fran Manushkin (who wrote the lovely Latkes and Applesauce, too!)
*The Berenstain Bears and the Easter Story was published early this year, shortly before the death of Jan Berenstain. Stan and Jan Berenstain, and now their son Mike, have given us many books for all seasons. Generations of children and parents are thankful for the many stories of the Berenstain Bears.
Spring is here! The weather is warm, windy and changeable. Visit your libraries and bookstores and find some good spring books. It’s another great time to read!
